Specification for Optical Rail Measurement.pdf

Specification for

Optical Rail Measurement

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority

Engineering and Maintenance 21 Arlington Ave

Charlestown MA 02129

July 2025

OPTICAL RAIL MEASUREMENT

1.0 Type of Service

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority is seeking a qualified contractor to provide Optical Rail Measurement services for a three (3) year period, with (2) one-year options. Testing shall be conducted semi-annually on the Green Line (May and November) and annually on the Red, Orange, Blue and Mattapan Lines (typically will complete at the same time as the Green Line November testing). First tests, which will include all lines, will be performed in November 2025. Contractor must have successfully completed at least three (3) projects of this nature and provide references with their bid.

2.0 Optical Rail Measurement

The successful bidder shall record various data on designated portions of MBTA’s track.

Included in the data collection shall be rail profile, unloaded track gauge, cross-level, cant angle, vertical head wear, gauge face wear, gauge face angle, combined wear, percentage head loss, gauge lip, field lip and any other data normally and customarily collected during work of this nature. Data collection equipment must be capable of measuring entire rail. Data shall be captured at an approximate constant interval of six

(6) inches on all lines.

Data shall be provided to the MBTA in a format that is 100% compatible with the most recent version of the TrackView program. In addition to collecting the rail information, the locations of the following features shall be included in the data base: switches, road crossings, passenger platforms, tunnels, bridges, lubricators, and the beginning and end of each curve. Data shall be coordinated to the current MBTA chain-marker system and existing Segment Data Reports.

Optical rail data shall be delivered to the MBTA within five (5) days of the end of testing.

Database files shall be shared via a shared cloud service, at no additional charge to the

MBTA.

The contractor shall also provide the MBTA with four (4) full version, licensed copies of the most recent version of the TrackView software. Licenses shall be permanent without an expiration date and provide software technical support for the duration of the contract, plus two (2) years after the final data collection under this contract.

Various summary reports for each test shall be provided that outline specific parameters as requested by the Engineer (ie. all readings over 0.5” sidewear per line).

2.1 Optional Services

This contract may also include the following preferred optional items:

1. Data collection of rail corrugation (vehicle tested, if possible).

3.0 Territory to be Tested

Optical Rail Measurement data shall be collected on all revenue track on the following sections of the MBTA Light Rail and Rapid Transit lines:

3.1 Green Line Eastbound and westbound tracks, including subway, surface tracks, street tracks, embedded rail, at-grade crossings, fence tracks. Five branches, which includes the Central Subway. Overhead catenary power. Total distance of approximately 26.5 route miles, or 53 track-miles. Regularly scheduled testing shall also be performed at all mainline revenue crossovers (Union Square, Tufts, Grove Street).

3.2 Red Line Northbound and southbound tracks including subway and surface tracks in dedicated right-of-way. Two branches. Third rail power. Total distance of approximately 21 route miles, or 42 track-miles. Regularly scheduled testing shall also be performed at all mainline revenue crossovers (Alewife Diamond & Braintree Diamond).

3.3 Orange Line Northbound and southbound tracks including subway and surface tracks in dedicated right-of-way. One branch. Third rail power. Total distance of approximately 11 route miles, or 22 track-miles. Regularly scheduled testing shall also be performed at all mainline revue crossovers (Forest Hills Diamond & Oak Grove), as well as the test track which is approximately 2.5 track-miles.

3.4 Blue Line Eastbound and westbound tracks including surface and subway tracks in dedicated right-of-way. One branch. Third rail and catenary power. Total distance of approximately 6 route miles, or 12 track-miles

3.5 Mattapan High Speed Line Northbound and southbound tracks in dedicated right-of-way with grade crossings. Catenary power. Total distance of approximately 2.5 route miles or 5 track-miles.

3.6 Additional Locations Non-Revenue areas will also be requested for testing, not always at the same interval as the regularly scheduled testing. These are typically related to relay tracks, leads, crossovers, test tracks, etc. Bid should include 16 night shifts per year for additional testing.

4.0 Optical Rail Measurement Equipment

The successful bidder shall provide rail-mounted equipment suitable for the tight geometry, steep grades and restrictive clearances of the MBTA. Vehicle shall be self-propelled, able to test and record either forward or backward, shall be capable of testing in double-restrained curves with radii of 75’ and be capable of negotiating and testing the entire system without assistance. Contractor vehicle must be of sufficient size to transport all required contractor personnel plus a minimum of two MBTA personnel. Vehicle must be measured and certified by Maintenance of Way Engineers prior to start of testing. For Green Line testing, contractor shall modify hi-rail wheels to appropriate dimensions as shown on attached clearance diagram.

The successful bidder shall also provide a profilometer (mini-prof) with the ability to perform hand testing at unique locations covered under Section 3.6. Collected data by hand shall be organized and charts developed similar to those viewable via Rangecam.

5.0 Track Availability

The contractor shall coordinate with Maintenance of Way Track Engineers and Planning and Scheduling Coordinators to arrange access to the various lines. Contractor can expect to have up to three hours of on-track time per work shift (generally 1:30 AM to 4:30 AM). Contractor shall notify the MBTA by 10:00 AM two days prior to days for which work is planned. MBTA will notify contractor by noon on any day in which work cannot proceed due to emergency or other higher priority work. The MBTA reserves the right to cancel work on shorter notice, in which case the contractor shall be paid a “standby rate”. No standby payment shall be made in the event work is cancelled due to extreme weather, acts of nature or other circumstances beyond the control of the MBTA. Weekend work may be requested by the contractor, however work on weekend nights is at the discretion of the Director – Maintenance of Way.

In the event that the contractor is unable to perform or complete testing on a shift that work has been scheduled (due to equipment failure, etc.), the MBTA shall deduct from the contractors payment an amount equal to the one and one-half (1.5x) of the “standby” rate as bid by the contractor.

Contractor shall perform a minimum of five (5) track miles of testing per work shift unless unforseen circumstances prevent contractor from doing so or unless segment to be tested is less than the minimum.

Prior to start of testing, all contractor personnel must have shown that they have current MBTA right-of-way safety training, and adhere to all current MBTA Safety Policies. It is the responsibility of the contractor to coordinate right-of-way training with MBTA Project Engineer. Training is provided by the MBTA at no cost to the contractor. No additional payment will be made for personnel attending right-of-way training.

6.0 Measurement and Payment

6.1 Optical Rail Measurement on the Green Line shall be paid by the completed test which shall include mobilization, preparation and set-up, measurement of the rail, software, analysis and delivery of the data to the MBTA Maintenance of Way Division. In the event that a portion of the Green Line is not tested, the per-test cost shall be prorated based on the portion of the line actually tested.

6.2 Optical Rail Measurement on the Red, Orange, Blue and Mattapan Lines shall be measured and paid by the track mile of data delivered to the MBTA as described in 6.1 above. No separate mobilization by the contractor should be anticipated as work under this item will take place while contractor is already mobilized for work under Item 6.1.

6.3 Data collection for other locations shall be paid on a “per-day” basis which shall include preparation, set-up, measurement of the rail, data collection, analysis and delivery of the data to the MBTA Maintenance of Way Division. No separate mobilization by the contractor shall be required as work under this item will only take place while contractor is already mobilized for work under Item 6.1.

The contractor will not be paid a separate mobilization charge. Mobilization of contractor equipment to the MBTA property is incidental to the work and all mobilization expenses shall be included in the per-test price for optical testing.

Payment will be made upon completion of testing and receipt by the MBTA of all data collected, as approved by the Engineer.

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