The Detroit People Mover (DPM) is an automated guideway rail transit system operating in downtown Detroit. It is operated and maintained by the Detroit Transportation Corporation (DTC), a municipal corporation established for the purpose of operating and maintaining the Detroit People Mover. The elevated DPM system circles the downtown Detroit area, providing frequent and convenient transit service to many of Detroit’s central business district commercial, residential and entertainment venues.
The DPM system was originally built by UTDC (now Bombardier) and opened for service in 1987 as one of the first automated guideway people mover systems in the U.S. The system encompasses a single-track 2.9-mile elevated guideway, consisting of a reinforced con¬crete beam structure supported on reinforced concrete columns. The track system includes 35 track curves with radii ranging from 115 to 3,000 feet. The single track is standard gauge with direct fixation fasteners on 20 to 40-inch centers.
For the past 20 plus years the Detroit People Mover has provided a safe, convenient transportation service to the patrons of Detroit’s downtown businesses and establishments; be it to the many restaurants, Detroit’s Auto Shows and other events at Cobo Center or supporting the World Champion Detroit Red Wings Hockey at Joe Louis Arena. Over time, this transit service takes a toll on both the DPM’s vehicles and the guideway track system.
Recognizing the need to perform proactive maintenance in order to maintain a high level of ride quality and safety, DTC asked Parsons Brinckerhoff (PB), an engineering consultant firm providing technical support services to DTC, to provide a condition assessment of the DPM guideway track system in late 2006. PB evaluated the system and identified six track curves that had worn to the point where track curve replacement was warranted. The affected curves are scattered about the DPM guideway, specifically located within the systems tightest (115 foot radius) track curves. The rail replacement is required due to wearing of the rail head profile which has occurred over the past 20 years. The rail wear is understandable and expected in normal transit/railway operations, and at some point all rail transit systems must replace portions of their running rail.
Although minor repairs and improvements have taken place over the years with a minimum of service interruptions, DTC recognized that the time had come when a major track maintenance task must be undertaken to continue the level of DPM service expected by the citizens of Detroit. Steps were immediately taken to determine the financial needs for the project and to identify the funding sources to support the project. Simultaneously, DTC began the process of developing technical specifications and bid packages to procure the replacement rail and contractor services to perform the installation of the new rail. In late 2007 a contract was awarded to LB Foster Company to manufacture the new rail sections to be used for the project. This was followed by the award of another contract in early 2008 to Delta Railroad Construction, Inc. to perform the task of reconstructing the direct fixation track system with the new rail.
DTC is undertaking the first running rail replacement of the track system, affecting six track curves or about 9 percent of the system’s track. To improve on the wear rate and extend the life of the new rail, the guideway track direct fixation system will be improved and a special “High Strength” rail with extra rail head hardness will be used. The result will be an improved running rail system and many additional years of service for the Detroit People Mover and its customers.
Because the DPM is a single-track system, it is not possible to perform this work without a temporary system shut-down. Therefore, DPM operations will be suspended at 2:00 AM on Sunday, July 20, 2008 and the system will remain out of service until normal service is re-sumed on Monday, August 18, 2008 at 6:30 AM. We understand the inconvenience this program will cause to our patrons, however to maintain the safe reliable transportation this system is increasingly known for, the rail replacement must be carried out.
Project Information and Data
System Shutdown Period
29 days, from July 20 through August 17
Rail Replacement Locations
Six track curves located throughout the DPM system
New Rail Type
New 115RE High Strength, Head Hardened Rail, pre-curved for DPM system
Approximately 2,800 feet of rail, or 1,400 feet of two-rail track (about 9% of the DPM loop), weighing approximately 75 tons
Continuous welded rail using a Thermite Weld process at the installation site. The rail will be affixed to the guideway through a direct fixation process that utilizes special fasteners and shims to provide correct rail superelevation and cant.
The Process and Contract Teams Working on the
Rail Replacement Project
Construction will begin after the People Mover completes service operations for the night at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 20. The system will restart service at 6:30 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 18.
The four weeks in July and August were selected because there is a relatively light schedule of events downtown during that time, the summer weather is more conducive to people being able to walk between destinations downtown, and the long summer days will allow the construction team to work double shifts and complete the work on time. DTC consulted with the Metropolitan Detroit Convention and Visitors Bureau and Cobo Center in scheduling the shut down.
Construction will move quickly along the six locations on the guideway and there will not be any major traffic impediments or loud noise at any one location for an extended period of time. The minor traffic implications that will occur include lane and sidewalk closures where the crane is removing and replacing the tracks. Construction noise will also be minor and will occur primarily during business hours. Each section of rail will be cut and removed and then replaced with new length of rail which will be secured in place through a thermite welding process.
The construction locations are the curves between: Gratiot Avenue and Broadway Street; Witherell Street and Broadway Street; Park Avenue and Bagley Street; John C. Lodge Freeway and Jefferson Avenue; Larned Street and Shelby Street and inside Cobo Center.
The track replacement is the latest in a series of extensive renovations and improvements that have been made in the system over the past six years. There have been noticeable aesthetic improvements and others that aren’t noticeable, but have resulted in improved operations, such as updating the computer and security systems and installing heat strips on the tracks to prevent icing during the winter.
The Detroit Transportation Corporation and its staff are working with a contracted team consisting of the Detroit office of Parsons Brinckerhoff, which is the project management consultant, in addition to being the original track designer. Advanced Geomatics is the surveyor and the original surveyor of record for the Detroit People Mover system. Rail construction is being performed by Delta Railroad Construction, Inc.
Parsons Brinckerhoff
Parsons Brinckerhoff (PB) is a leader in developing and operating infrastructure, with approximately 12,000 employees dedicated to meeting the needs of clients and communities around the world. PB offers skills and resources in strategic consulting, planning, engineering, program/construction management, and operations for all modes of infrastructure, including transportation, power, community development, water and the environment (www.pbworld.com).
Advanced Geomatics
Advanced Geomatics conducts professional land surveying corporation, serving Michigan since 1888 with a variety of land services. Originally known as Charlevoix Abstract and Engineering, Advanced Geomatics continues under the same family ownership and management for over 50 years. Advanced Geomatics, is a registered DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) with MDOT (the Michigan Department of Transportation).
Delta Railroad Construction, Inc.
Delta Railroad Construction is recognized as one of the nation’s premier railroad construction and engineering companies. It has been delivering quality services with personal integrity since 1957. Services include new track construction, track maintenance and rehabilitation, flash-butt rail welding (continuous welded rail), track equipment repair and remanufacturing and track equipment sales, rentals and leasing. Delta Railroad Construction provides services for industry, short line railroads, Class I railroads, commuter and passenger transit lines, and metro trolley systems.