Mid-Coast Trolley

About Project

The Mid-Coast Trolley project will extend light rail service 11 miles from the Santa Fe Depot in Downtown San Diego to the University City community, serving major activity centers such as Old Town, University of California (UC) San Diego, and Westfield UTC (formerly known as University Towne Center). The Mid-Coast is an extension of the Metropolitan Transit System Trolley Blue Line, offering a one-seat ride from the international border to the University area. The project includes 9 new stations. As part of the project the section of track between Old Town and the Santa Fe Depot in Downtown San Diego was upgraded to create a standardized line utilizing modern microprocessors. From the Old Town station, new rail lines will run to Westfield UTC, in many areas utilizing raised bridge structures due to right of way constraints.

Project Scope, Successes

PRE provided railroad signal conceptual and final design, vital and non-vital train control communications conceptual and final design, technical specifications, cost estimates, CMGC negotiations and feasibility analysis for the project. During the design phase, PRE observed what was taking place within the construction market for train control application programming during construction using the Sicas S7 on the Blue Line: high prices due to limited qualified programmers and lack of competition. MTS was also concerned about equipment part replacement cycles. PRE proposed that the train control microprocessor design change from the Sicas S7 to the ElectrologIXS, which is a platform widely used within the industry. MTS supported this proposal to standardize and increase competition. During construction of the Mid-Coast, Siemens announced that the Sicas S7 would be designated as end of life. PRE’s earlier proposal to migrate the platform avoided placing legacy equipment within a complex new project that required several years to construct. 

During design PRE coordinated with other design team members to determine equipment and enclosure needs and reviewed civil plans to ensure that proper clearance was met for overhead catenary poles, drainage and other civil features. Often, proposed signal equipment and enclosures had to be shifted to meet structural requirements.  MTS’ Train Control Network was required to be interfaced at station locations to send information to the 12th and Imperial Operations Control Center. PRE coordinated with utilities and station designers to ensure a communication method was supplied. PRE also determined the interface design into the existing fiber optic network.

Project Highlights

• Migration away from the Sicas S7 to the ElectrologIXS for improved long-term support and increased competition.

• Coordination with the design team to determine equipment and enclosure needs

• Review of civil plans to ensure proper clearance for wayside equipment was met

• Coordination with utilities and stations designers to ensure communication method was supplied

• Railroad Signal conceptual through final design, vital and non-vital communications design, technical specifications, cost estimates, CMGC negotiations and feasibility analysis