Upgrade of Track Switch Heaters with Snow Detection System and Rail Thermostats for Calgary Transit

The City of Calgary is piloting a combination of new technologies to reduce the energy consumption of Calgary Transit’s light rail transit (LRT) system. Currently, the LRT system has 135 gas-fired track switch heaters. This is wayside equipment that clears snow to ensure that track switches operate safely and smoothly in snowy weather. The heaters are operated either manually or remotely, but they are often left running unnecessarily due to a lack of dedicated resources to monitor their operation. This initiative will upgrade 11 existing track switch heaters to a more efficient model, and install 100 snow detection and rail thermostat systems to automate the heaters. The upgrades will be implemented and monitored over the course of three years. After this, the project team will work with Calgary’s Energy Management Office to compare the natural gas consumption of the upgraded track switch heating system against baseline data. Gas meters will also be installed at 2 track switch locations to directly compare the consumption of upgraded and non-upgraded heaters. This pilot is in line with Calgary’s greenhouse gas reduction target of 80% by 2050, the City of Calgary’s Transportation Energy Strategy, and its Corporate Energy Strategy. Innovative aspect(s): Using technologies to optimize the energy consumption of trackside appliances is a novel approach for older LRT systems in urban areas. There is little advanced research and testing data for transit systems exposed to winter conditions (for example, snow detection). Implementation of this technology will be the first of its kind among Canadian municipalities. Replicability: If successful, this pilot has the potential to improve the sustainability of LRT systems in other Canadian municipalities. Calgary Transit is committed to sharing the pilot results with the Calgary Urban Alliance (including members from local post-secondary institutions) as well as other municipalities with similar LRT systems. Environmental benefits: • Reduce energy consumption of selected gas-fired switch heaters by approximately 75% (amounting to 19,500 GJ/year) • Reduce the LRT system’s annual greenhouse gas emissions by 1,000 metric tonnes Economic benefits: • Reducing natural gas consumption will lower the LRT’s operating costs by at least $112,000/year, as well as reduce exposure to carbon pricing and natural gas fuel price volatility • Optimization of the snow detection system may extend the lifespan of equipment Social benefits: • Reduced natural gas point-of-use emissions generated in residential neighbourhoods may improve public health and community quality of life • Improved snow detection systems will improve public safety and efficiency of LRT service during the winter months (Project description from original funding application)