| BART Core
System Impact Study
Wong led the effort with BART's Chief Engineer and in very close
coordination and collaboration with BART's engineering staff to
determine impacts on BART's existing Core Systems resulting from
BART's extension to San Jose (SVRT Project). This analysis was
performed in accordance with the Comprehensive Agreement, executed
on November 19, 2001, and the Second Implementation Letter (No.
2002-02), between the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority
(VTA) and BART. The Comprehensive Agreement provides that VTA
will have full financial responsibility for the SVRT Project costs.
As part of the full financial responsibility, VTA will be responsible
for the modifications to the BART Core System necessary for the
operation of the SVRT Project and to mitigate resulting impacts
of the SVRT Project.
The objective of the BART Core Impact Study was to determine VTA's
financial responsibility for the modifications to the BART Core
System on a conceptual level type analysis. The modifications
are necessary for the operation of the SVRT Project. Each of the
BART Core Systems was evaluated to determine the adequacy of these
systems to support future ridership growth and usage changes.
Specifically, the objective of the analysis was to determine modifications
necessary (a) to mitigate resulting impacts of the SVRT Project
and the resulting conceptual level Impact Costs and (b) for the
operation of the SVRT Project and the resulting conceptual level
Connection Costs. Impacts were evaluated for the Year 2015 with
no SVRT Project, Year 2025 with no SVRT Project, and Year 2025
with the SVRT in accordance with specific criteria. The major
elements of the scope of work for evaluating each of the systems
impacted were: (a) forecast impacts due to ridership growth and
usage changes as projected by the study performed by VTA and accepted
by BART, (b) establish requirements for capital improvement projects,
and (c) determine conceptual level cost estimates. Comprehensive
analysis was performed on traction power, train control, central
control/integrated control system, yards and shops, and ventilation
systems.
16th St./Mission St.
Station NE Plaza
Wong led the design efforts and construction management including
support during construction of the 16th Street BART Northeast
Plaza Improvements Project that was completed in the third quarter
of 2006. Wong prepared the structural and electrical design and
construction documents in-house while the subconsultants assigned
to the Wong Team prepared the architectural, civil, and artwork
construction documents. The work included preparation of a site
survey, demolition of the existing features, design of drainage,
irrigation, water services, structural design of new stairwell
perimeter walls, electrical power and lighting, and landscaping
including selection of palm trees and granite paving material.
The work also included the preparation of construction staging
and patron access drawings, coordination with City agencies, community,
adherence to the City's ADA requirements, and artist providing
artwork for the plaza.
Close coordination and cooperation with the many stakeholders
including the 16th Street Community Advisory Committee was an
essential part of the design process. Meetings with a BART Director,
City agencies, and community groups at various design stages were
conducted. The in-progress design was presented at each of the
workshop meetings to solicit comments to each major aspect of
the design. Constructive suggestions were taken under advisement.
Many of the ideas presented were incorporated into the final design
of the Plaza. The community provided many lessons learned along
with valuable insight to the problems encountered at the previously
constructed Southwest Plaza renovation.
Visitors and patrons using the Plaza see the art sculpture "HOME"
by Cork Marcheschi, placed on top of the plaza elevator, the restored
Youth Mural "Voices" created in 1999 by Urban Artworks,
and the beautiful decorative metal fencing around the station
entrance created by Victor Mario Zaballa who was part of the Wong
Team.
The design work and preparation of the construction documents
were prepared in accordance with the BART Facility Standards and
Specifications. The Wong Team supported the District's advertisement
and bid processes for fixed scope Public Works contract.
The project was completed on schedule and within budget.
Traction Power System Study for
the 30-Year Rehabilitation and Upgrade Plan
Wong along with BART Engineering performed an extensive study
to develop priority-based investment strategies, consisting of
unconstrained and constrained funding capacities, with a 30 year
outlook for the rehabilitation and upgrade of the BART Traction
Power System. Wong evaluated system capacity by performing traction
power simulations, reviewing existing traction power studies,
and analyzed the planned extensions and expected ridership growth
and impacts to the core traction power system. Wong evaluated
and developed an expected service life for BART's core traction
power system through industry surveys, and review of design requirements
and maintenance history. The plan identified and prioritized the
rehabilitation and upgrade of equipment due to equipment service
life, potential failures, and projections for planned extensions
and ridership growth. The study assisted BART in securing funding
for rehabilitation of the core traction power system.
Wong is currently working with BART's Engineering staff in preparing
an extensive traction power rehabilitation program for the next
30 years. The traction power system is critical in maintaining
current and future BART service. As part of the program, Wong
is working closely with BART in evaluating and minimizing impacts
to train operations by preparing preliminary designs and staging
plans for the replacement of various critical traction power components.
Traction Power System Implementation Program
As a result of Traction Power System Study for the 30-Year Rehabilitation
and Upgrade Plan, BART obtained funding to begin implementation
of several of the recommendations resulting from the study. BART
requested that Wong implement the recommendations starting with
first two of the three steps as follows:
- First Step - Renovation Program Development. Development a Traction Power Substation Renovation Program.
- Second Step - Procurement Contract. Prepare a Procurement Contract for the replacement equipment including development of plans, specifications, and cost estimates.
- Third Step - Installation Contracts. Develop one or more installation contracts for staged renovation of substations.
The first step includes the preparation of a multi-year Traction Power Substation Renovation Program Development Plan. The key elements of work consist of determining potential operational impacts of the substation retrofits, evaluating measures to mitigate operational impacts, structuring a priority-based sequence for the renovations, and development of an installation plan. The potential operational impacts will be identified through traction power load flow simulations.
The renovation program will include extensive upgrades and equipment replacement for up to 14 indoor and 36 outdoor traction power substations. The work will be staged over several phases. The first phase will have duration of approximately five years.
Energy costs and impact resulting from voltage drops associated with BART train operations and facilities represent a significant element of the operations budget. These energy costs have been increasing and will be subject to continued increases due to the generally upper trend in utility rates and due to additional train service capacity. In order to manage energy costs, BART may implement systems upgrades to reduce and manage energy usage.
In order to evaluate potential energy management improvements, BART has requested Wong to conduct an Energy and Voltage Management (EVM) Study. The key elements of work for the energy management part of the study consist of reviewing energy management methods in the transit industry, identify and evaluate feasible improvements for the BART system, traction power load flow simulation of selected improvements, and a cost-benefit analysis. The primary focus of the study includes will be BART's Traction Power energy management; however, the study will include a brief analysis of facility (station) power conservation. For the voltage drop management portion, the purpose is to determine the potential benefits for reconfiguring the BART system third rail to a bipolar configuration.
Traction Power Engineering Support
Wong assisted BART's Traction Power System Group in preparing contract documents including contract plans, specifications, design tests, and cost estimates for the following contract packages:
- Installation of Automatic Load Measuring and Protection Equipment.
- Procurement and Installation of Negative Grounding Devices for Traction Power Substations.
- Corrosion Control and Stray Current Studies.
Systems Train Control & Communications Study for the 30-Year Rehabilitation and Upgrade Plan
As part of the study, Wong prepared train control and communications systems description; evaluated service life and potential failures of all major train control and communications equipment based on historical data provided by BART, other transit agencies, manufacturers, and various other sources; assessed operational risk; performed cost estimate for the required rehabilitation or upgrade of equipment; and developed priority-based investment strategies both constrained and unconstrained for the rehabilitation and upgrade of BART's train control and communications systems with a 30-year outlook.
CyberTran -
Group Rapid Transit (GRT) Investigative Study
Wong provided Project Management and Administration services for
the investigative study. The study involved Group Rapid Transit
(GRT), a relatively new rail concept that utilizes automated train
control to oversee on-demand vehicle delivery to off-line stations.
The study involved coordination between BART, Port of Oakland,
and CyberTran International. Wong assisted with coordination among
various entities to assure that BART's design, operating, and
maintenance criteria are observed. Wong prepared an independent
analysis of the CyberTran proposed Guideway/Footing (Structure)
Alternatives and costs estimates. In addition, Wong developed
an independent cost estimate for the manufacturing of the Cybertran
vehicles, and operation and maintenance of the CyberTran System.
An analysis was also prepared to determine engineering effort
and feasibility for the design, manufacturing, testing, and certifying
the new rail concept.
BART Facility Standards
Wong assisted BART in updating the BART Facilities Standards consisting
of design guidelines, facilities criteria, standard plans, and
standard specifications.
Oakland Airport Connector Project
Wong assisted BART in the preliminary engineering and procurement
document development phase for the 3.2-mile Automated Guideway
Technology (AGT) system connecting BART to the Oakland International
Airport. Profile of alignment includes approximately 2 miles of
elevated guideway structure, 0.25 mile below grade section, and
a 1.0 mile at-grade section. This project also requires development
and management of an implementation plan for the design and construction
phases of the project, constructability reviews and processes
to assign risk allocation.
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