1-RFI 26-04075.pdf

UTAH TRANSIT AUTHORITY (UTA)

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

RFI# 26-04075

TRAX Light Rail Signaling and Train Control Modernization Industry Outreach

RFI Coordinator

All communication regarding this RFI must be made through the RFI Coordinator identified below.

Name: Ethan Ray Title: Project Manager Contact Information: Eray@rideuta.com

Name: Dean Hansen Title: Manager, Systems Engineering Contact Information: DHansen@rideuta.com

Informational Meeting (optional)

Date: TBD Time: TBD, local time Location: TBD

Submitted Questions Due

All questions must be submitted via the Euna portal by:

Date: November 25, 2026, no later than 5:00 p.m., local time

Response Submission

Submission Deadline: December 23, 2026, no later than 5:00 p.m., local time Submit to: https://purchasing.utah.gov/training/for-vendors-training/

PART I: INTRODUCTION

A. Purpose and Background

The Utah Transit Authority (UTA) is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) to gather information from industry partners regarding emerging technologies, delivery approaches, implementation strategies, and lessons learned related to rail signaling, train control, communications, and associated infrastructure UTA it seeks to modernize its legacy train control system for its TRAX light rail system (TRAX). This RFI is intended to support the UTA’s long-term planning and future procurement strategy for system upgrades, state-of-good-repair investments, safety improvements, and operational improvements across TRAX.

UTA will evaluate industry responses for consideration with future implementation to modernize their legacy system with the potential to interview respondents. This RFI does not constitute a contract of any kind but may inform UTA to the type of system modernization be suited for its legacy system.

This Request for Information (RFI) is an information-gathering and market research tool, not a formal solicitation of a specific requirement (such as in a “Request for Proposals” document).

mailto:Eray@rideuta.com mailto:DHansen@rideuta.com https://purchasing.utah.gov/training/for-vendors-training/

This RFI is intended to support the UTA’s long-term planning and future procurement strategy for system upgrades, state-of-good-repair investments, safety improvements, and operational improvements across TRAX. Prior to submitting responses, consider how the existing TRAX system, outlined below, would interact with the proposed train control modernization. The respondent should consider to what extent the system should be modernized, proposed modernization should take into account the existing TRAX revenue schedule, potential flexibility in improving headways and equipment obsolescence of train control.

B. Current Conditions

Today, UTA’s light rail system, TRAX, is comprised of three lines: the Blue Line which operates from Salt Lake Central Station to Draper, the Green Line which operates from the Salt Lake City International Airport to West Valley City, and the Red Line which operates from the University of Utah to Daybreak. The system today currently has a total of 45.3 route miles with 52 stations. The TRAX System operates a mixed fleet of 73 level boarding Siemens S70s and 40 high floor Siemens SD100/160s. The SD100 and SD160 vehicles are expected to be decommissioned by 2030 with the commissioning of 40 new level boarding Stadler CityLink vehicles.

UTA operates a complex system encompassing various subsystems, including signaling and train control, traction power, communications, and back-office systems. The systems engineering services focus on the entire lifecycle of these subsystems, from conceptualization and design through construction, testing, commissioning, maintenance, and operations.

Described below are some of the systems utilized at UTA.

Train Control o Vendor must sign Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) to review UTA Systems.

Communications and Back-Office

Traction Power, OCS, and Electrification

As part of the TRAX Forward program, UTA is currently working to improve the bi-directional signaling on the system, install advanced signal systems to eliminate the dark territory on the system, and to standardize and replace obsolete equipment on the system. Four goals in modernizing the train control include:

1. Signal Compliance: Ensuring that TRAX light rail vehicles stop before passing a Red Signal or any other Stop Signal to prevent signal violations and associated hazards.

2. Speed Enforcement: Enforcing adherence to authorized speed limits for TRAX vehicles to maintain safe operating conditions and reduce the risk of overspeed incidents.

3. Collison Prevention: Preventing train-to-train collisions on tracks used for passenger services, thereby ensuring the safety of passengers and operators.

4. Work Zone Protection: Preventing violations of roadway work zones to protect maintenance crews and ensure safe operations near active work sites.

At present, UTA’s light rail operations are fully reliant on operator actions and compliance with wayside signals and posted speed limits. UTA light rail operations have no enforcement of wayside signals or speeds. It relies entirely on human compliance, which poses major safety risks to operators and passengers in the event of train-to-train collisions, overspeed derailments, or equipment damage due to human error.

C. General Provisions

1. All contact with UTA regarding this RFI must be made through the designated RFI Coordinator. No other person is authorized to make binding statements regarding this RFI.

2. This is a non-binding Request for Information. Therefore, no award shall be made as a result of the RFI process.

3. Issuance of this RFI does not commit UTA to pay any expenses incurred by a Respondent in preparing their response to this RFI. This includes attendance at personal interviews or other meetings and software or system demonstrations, where applicable.

4. Issuance of this RFI in no way constitutes a commitment by UTA to issue a Request for Proposal

(RFP).

5. All responses should adhere to the instructions and format requests outlined in this RFI and all written supplements and amendments, such as the Summary of Questions and Answers, issued by UTA.

6. All submissions in response to this RFI will be considered public records available for public inspection pursuant to the State of Utah Records Access Management Act.

PART II: INFORMATION SOUGHT

UTA is requesting information from the industry to modernize TRAX train control and detection system, which meets the TRAX Forward goals by addressing dark territory, bi-directional signaling and equipment obsolescence topics. With portions of the current system running in dark territory, UTA seeks to prioritize operator, rider and public safety with a focus to improve safety by updating obsolete equipment. Solutions need to be implementable with the current rolling stock, future rolling stock, and should be safe and reliable.

UTA may use the information from this RFI to develop a technical specification that meets its four main objectives.

The UTA seeks detailed yet succinct responses that demonstrate the Respondent’s experience and/or familiarity with the subject matter. As this is not a competitive RFP process, Respondents should not provide any detailed and specific cost or customized pricing documentation in their response. General cost estimates, ballpark estimates, or standard pricing history are permitted. If you submit detailed pricing information regarding your preferred product, method, or approach, you will disqualify UTA technical evaluators and potentially contaminate any future procurement that were to be conducted.

A. Organization Overview Provide a brief overview of yourself and your organization, if applicable.

1. Please identify yourself and any organization you represent in this RFI.

a. Name of respondent

b. Organization and affiliation

c. Address (organizational, if responding on behalf of an entity)

d. Contact information (phone number(s) and email address)

2. Please identify your experience in providing Light Rail Systems. Respondents should provide:

a. Company overview and history within the industry

b. Recent signaling and train control projects

c. Role as OEM, systems integrator, consultant, contractor, or technology provider

B. Feedback Requested

Responses should focus on the following applications:

• Modern signaling technologies

• Safety

• System cohesion between TRAX and freight operators

• Automatic Train Operation (ATO)

• Automatic Train Protection (ATP)

• Transit Signal Priority (TSP)

• Wayside and onboard equipment modernization

• Signal compliance

• Speed enforcement

• Collision protection

• Work zone protection

• Interlocking modernization

• Network and communications systems

• Cybersecurity approaches

• Project delivery, implementation and costs

Technical Information Requested

Respondents should provide safe and reliable solutions for modernizing UTA’s existing TRAX train control system. Respondents should indicate:

• Which type of system(s) should be considered for implementation

• Advantages, disadvantages, challenges

• Operational flexibility

• Legacy system options

• Proposed options that can be integrated with and/or operate alongside UTA’s legacy system

• Cybersecurity architecture and threat detection

• Operations and maintenance of asset quantity

• Summary of software and hardware upgrades

• Timeline for implementation and how it pertains to operational impacts

• Other related information

Consider how the proposed system compares to UTA’s existing train control system. Consider whether new dispatching tools would be required with the new system, along with any associated workforce training. As the rail industry continues to evolve, consider if there are emerging technologies that would be considered for future system upgrades.

Respondents should consider construction costs, operations and maintenance costs, additional manpower and startup in their responses. When responding, consider how the proposed train control system will interact with the freight operation and any complications that may arise during installation and operations. TRAX currently shares portions of its alignment with freight operators through temporal separation, a long-standing FRA-approved waiver arrangement (49 CFR § 236.1005). Freight trains operate during an exclusive overnight window and TRAX passenger service is prohibited during that period.

Respondents should categorize their responses as follows:

• Signaling and train control

• Communications systems

• Operations and maintenance

• Onboard equipment

• Back Office Systems (BOS)

• Cybersecurity

• Best practices related to temporally separated freight operations

Delivery and Implementation Approaches

UTA seeks information on industry best practices for the type of delivery method to modernize existing train control systems. The respondent should indicate which type of delivery method is best suited to address this RFI, experience with successfully delivering a project using the type of delivery method, approach, advantages, challenges and risks. The respondent should include lessons learned from previous experiences and mitigation techniques as they pertain to this RFI. Address phasing and migration of the new system that may include details pertaining to cutover strategies, testing & commissions, system acceptance, etc.

Industry Feedback Questions

Respondents are encouraged to address:

1. What technologies do you expect to become industry standard in the next 5–10 years?

2. What are the primary risks associated with large-scale signaling modernization programs?

3. What factors most influence implementation schedules?

4. What procurement approaches have proven most successful?

5. What common Authority challenges should be addressed early in project development?

6. What strategies best support phased deployment while maintaining service?

7. What lessons learned would you share from recent North American transit projects?

8. What innovations could materially improve safety, reliability, capacity, or operating efficiency?

PART III: KEY RFI EVENTS AND PROCESSES

A. Informational Meeting (optional)

UTA may sponsor an Informational Meeting concerning this RFI on the date, time and location shown on the RFI cover page. The purpose of the Informational Meeting is to provide interested parties with additional information related to this RFI, field questions, and clarify any questions as to this RFI request.

B. RFI Instructions

1. General Instructions

a. It is the responsibility of each interested party to examine the entire RFI and to seek clarification in writing if they do not understand any information or instructions.

b. Interested parties should submit questions via the Euna Q&A page

c. Questions must be submitted as soon as possible, but no later than the date and time specified on the RFI cover page.

d. UTA assumes no liability for ensuring the accurate/complete/on time submission of questions.

2. Question & Answer Summary

Questions must be submitted via the Euna Q&A page before the end of the Question and Answer period listed on the cover page. UTA’s answers to timely submitted questions will be posted on the Euna Q&A page. It is the responsibility of all interested parties to visit this website to obtain a copy of the Question & Answer Summary.

C. Submitting the Response

1. Responses Due

Responses must be received no later than the date and time listed on the cover page.

2. Delivery Instructions Responses must be uploaded to Euna by the “Bid ends” date and time listed on Euna.

To submit your Response, log onto Euna at:

https://utah.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities ; If you have already registered, log in and search by Utah Transit Authority or the RFI number.

If you need to create an account, please select “Create Account,” and then you can search UTA or the RFI number listed on the Cover Page. If you need assistance, please email the Utah Supplier Portal Support at https://purchasing.utah.gov/training/for-vendors-training/

3. Response Format Responses to this RFI may be developed in a manner that suits the respondent. A list of key questions is included within the RFI, and all submissions, regardless of format, will be reviewed. Respondents are asked to be brief and respond to as many questions as possible within the RFI. Number each response to correspond to the relevant question or instruction in the RFI to allow for comparison and clarity.

PART IV: REVIEW OF RESPONSES RECEIVED

General Information

1. UTA will review responses received for the purpose of gathering information and conducting market research only. UTA will not score, or rate responses received.

2. UTA reserves the right to communicate and/or schedule interviews/presentations with Respondents, if needed, to obtain clarification of information contained in the responses received and/or additional information to enhance marketing research efforts.

https://utah.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities https://purchasing.utah.gov/training/for-vendors-training/

APPENDIX A

UTAH TRANSIT AUTHORITY

RESPONSE COVER PAGE

RFI# 26-04075

TRAX Light Rail Signaling and Train Control Modernization Industry Outreach

Lead Point of Contact - Name/Title: Ethan Ray, Project Manager

Organization Name (if applicable): Utah Transit Authority

Tel: 801-287-1968 Cell: 801-745-5243

E-Mail: eray@rideuta.com Website: www.rideuta.com

Street Address: 666 W 200 S City/State/Zip: Salt Lake City, UT