Abstract:
Buffalo's 6.4-mi light rail transit line depends on a fleet of 27 four-axle, double-ended cars. The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) uses a work order system to monitor failures in service, failures found during monthly preventive maintenance, and failures discovered during system checks. Now in the form of a computer data base, this system allows NFTA to keep a history of each vehicle and to estimate repairs, distances traveled between failures, and parts needed for repairs. After 2 million vehicle fleet miles logged since 1985, NFTA has been able to keep more than 95% of its fleet available for service at any given time. Aiding this effort is a maintenance strategy incorporating quick connectors, parts interchangeability, and an ample parts supply. Also important is the maintenance employees' familiarity with the light rail vehicles (LRVs). Because the Japanese-made LRVs had to have some U.S.-made parts to satisfy federal procurement regulations, buying replacement parts has been difficult and costly. And, since the warranty on the LRVs expired, resolving problems with the manufacturer has been very difficult. Recommended improvements in the procurement process include involving maintenance personnel in discussions about system requirements and including the spare parts needed to support the system in the overall LRV procurement.
Supplemental Notes:
This paper appears in Transportation Research Board Special Report No. 221, Light Rail Transit: New System Successes at Affordable Prices - Papers presented at the National Conference on Light Rail Transit, May 8-11, 1988, San Jose, California, Conducted by the Transportation Research Board. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved
