NTL Record

Title Safety of High Speed Guided Ground Transportation Systems: Magnetic and Electric Field Testing of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Urban Transit System: Volume I: Analysis
Record ID 33539
Personal Name
Creator
Dietrich, F. M.; Papas, P.M.l Ferro, W.E.; Jacobs, W. L.; Steiner, G.A.
Source 240p. in various pagings
Corporate Creator Electric Research and Management, Inc.
Corporate
Contributor
John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.)
Publisher United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Railroad Administration
Publication Date 19930600
Language English
Abstract The safety of magnetically levitated (maglev) and high speed rail (HSR) trains proposed for application in the United States is the responsibility of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). Plans for near future US applications include maglev projects (e.g. in Orlando, FL, and Pittsburgh, PA) and high speed rail (the French Train a Grande Vitesse (TGV) in the Texas Triangle). Concerns exist regarding the potential safety, environmental and health effects on the public and on transportation workers due to electrification along new or existing rail corridors, and to maglev and high speed rail operations. Therefore, the characterization of electric and magnetic fields (EMF) produced by both steady (de) and alternating currents (ac) at power frequency (50 Hz In Europe and 60 Hz in the U.S.) and above, in the Extreme Low Frequency (ELF) range (3-3000 Hz) is of Interest. An EMF survey of the MBTA transit system was performed, as part of a comprehensive comparative EMF assessment of the German Transrapid (TR-07) maglev system with other existing and advanced rail systems. This report provides the Analysis (Vol. I) of results, and detailed data and statistical summaries (Vol. II. Appendices) of representative EMF profiles on vehicles and facilities typical of electrotechnologies used in this transit system (3rd rail dc, catenary with pantograph, trolley bus). Each electrotechnology has specific EMF frequency signatures. EMF data represent a range of system operating conditions and locations (in vehicles, stations and waysides), as well as traffic control and electrical power supply facilities. A portable magnetic field monitoring system (augmented to include an electric fields probe) was used to sample, record and store 3 axis static and ac magnetic fields waveforms simultaneously, at multiple locations. A real time Digital Audio Tape (DAT) recorder able to capture EMF transients, and two personal power-frequency magnetic field monitors were used to collect complementary data. Both dc magnetic fields and EMF ELF field levels for the MBTA system are comparable to those produced by common environmental sources at home, work, and under power lines, but they are more variable in time.
Rosap ID dot:8676
Rosap URL https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/8676
TRT Terms High speed ground transportation; Magnetic levitation; Magnetic levitation vehicles; Electromagnetic fields; Environmental impacts; Health hazards; Technological innovations; Safety
General Subjects Electric and magnetic fields (EMF); Static (dc) Magnetic field; Alternating (ac) field; Extreme low frequency (ELF); MBTA; Transit system; Rapid rail transit system: Trolley; Bus; Third rail; Catenary; Traffic control center; Transit stations; Power substations; Power frequency (PF); Harmonics; Transients; Fourier analysis; EMDEX Personal Magnetic Field Exposure Monitor; Digital Audio Tape (DAT)Recorder; MultiWave Magnetic Field Recording Svstem
Classification NTL - SAFETY AND SECURITY - SAFETY AND SECURITY;
NTL - SAFETY AND SECURITY - Human Factors;
NTL - RAIL TRANSPORTATION - High Speed Ground Transportation;
NTL - RAIL TRANSPORTATION - Rail Safety
Geographical
Coverage
Boston Metropolitan Area
Contract Number R3010/RR393
Report Number DOT-VNTSC-FRA-93-6.I; DOT/FRA/ORD-93/O5.I
Availability Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, Technical Reference Center
Resource type Tech Report
URL https://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/33000/33500/33539/33539.pdf
Format PDF
Database NTL Digital Repository