The Federal Railroad Administration, in cooperation with the Florida Department of Transportation
(FDOT)
and the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority
(SFRTA, formerly Tri-Rail), is sponsoring the demonstration of advanced-technology DMU equipment in revenue service as part of the Next Generation High-Speed Rail Technology program.
artist concept of first SFRTA DMU trainset
The first DMU went into revenue service earlier this year. Additional cars for this trainset are currently being manufactured by Colorado Railcar Manufacturing
and are expected to enter service between Miami and West Palm Beach early in 2005. Procurement of the second trainset began in the summer of 2004.
Colorado Railcar DMU Demonstrator
These DMU trainsets will fully comply with the new passenger equipment safety standards recently adopted by FRA. The grant funding will allow FRA and FDOT to evaluate the use of such equipment in revenue service and provide an opportunity to ascertain the level of public interest in expanding passenger rail service in the future to help alleviate highway and airway congestion. DMU technology offers potentially lower fuel consumption and life cycle costs compared to traditional locomotive-hauled passenger trains for many types pf passenger operations.
Grants totaling $9 million have been provided for the project, the State partners will provide cost sharing estimated at $16 million to support the program. The funds will be used to document the DMU's compliance with the FRA safety standards; to acquire DMU equipment through a competitive procurement process; and to assess the service reliability and maintainability of the equipment. FDOT will conduct the demonstration in cooperation with the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA).
FRA's Next Generation High-Speed Rail Program is intended to facilitate the development and deployment of technologies that enhance the viability of high-speed passenger rail service. The present focus of the program is in four primary areas: non-electric locomotives, grade crossing risk mitigation, track and structures, and advanced train control systems.