Wifi
Capitol Corridor Wireless Network
Updated March 12, 2010
Wireless Network update
Thanks for staying interested! The CCJPA has taken a long, circuitous path toward getting wireless internet on the train for both passenger and operational use and it has been a process full of twists and turns. CCJPA has known what it wanted on the train for more than two years and those intervening years have been spent dealing with ownership issues (CCJPA doesn’t own the tracks) and the procurement issues detailed below. While we have been winding our way through those issues, you may have already been using a cellular provider for train access while you travel on the Capitol Corridor. Rest assured, the wireless network system we install promises to remain connected throughout your journey, to be as speedy as possible (it should feel as fast or faster than your connection to via a cellular data modem you may have), and best of all, free to use.
The last obvious action CCJPA took was to issue and receive responses to a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for a wireless train network, which included several applications, notably a passenger information system and right-of-way cameras to bolster the safety and security of operations. The Caltrans Rail Division joined us as a partner in both RFQ evaluation and implementation (since the rail cars are owned by the state of California). The RFQ was expansive and very thorough in its scope, however, an RFQ was challenged at the State level as a viable process and many of the intervening months have been spent determining what an appropriate State procurement process would have to entail.
While Caltrans and CCJPA have been researching a procurement alternative, Amtrak’s Washington DC office has been pursuing a wireless network as well. Shortly after the CCJPA’s RFQ was issued, Amtrak set in motion a process to get wireless networks up and running on their flagship Acela service operating along the Northeast Corridor. On March 1, 2010, the installation on the Acela went public to rave reviews. Amtrak is working on a national procurement process for their other train routes and approached CCJPA about working with us on their national procurement process. Trying to procure a network on our own was taking far more time than planned, and when the invitation from Amtrak came along. it was a natural step to join with Amtrak as a partner.
Now, working through Amtrak’s national procurement for wireless networks on the trains, the selection of the core wireless network technology is expected in Spring 2010. A Request for Proposal (RFP) for installation of the core technology with a shortlisted set of installers are the next step after core technology selection, and then it will be up to Amtrak and/or each state or local rail partner to actually procure the installation team to begin install. So when does that happen? Read on...
An ongoing question for Wi-Fi on trains has been ‘who will pay for the system’? After being unsuccessful applying for economic stimulus funding for this network, CCJPA is happy to have identified cost savings from another capital project to install a wireless network once and for all. These funds are timed so that we should be able to engage Amtrak in the early fall of 2010 and select a vendor to begin installation. At this rate it appears installation can begin in late 2010 with installation probably being complete anywhere from 6 to 7 months later.
A word of caution is that this system will not take kindly (read performance and speed) to becoming your platform of choice for watching streaming videos, listening to streaming audio, or downloading bit-torrent files. Over time we expect it to grow as a platform where various operational applications will also share the network with passenger use, but as with the seats and space in the train, we all have to share. So when it comes, please respect the free (yes, free with your ticket) network for the use of all (we will have measures in place to respond to those who don’t quite play fair). In the meanwhile, CCJPA and Amtrak will work as fast as we can, and as funding allows, to get this system up and running. Thanks for staying on-board.
June 12, 2009: Wi-Fi Request for Qualifications (RFQ) Released
The Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA) in cooperation with California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has released a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) document (see link to documents below) to establish a landmark wireless broadband data network for the Capitol Corridor and the San Joaquin passenger train services. The planned network will support applications that will improve the safety and operations of the rail service and will provide on board Internet access to rail passengers as an amenity included in the regular fare.
The launch of the service and applications will take numerous months, from the initial negotiation of a contract with the selected contractor to rollout of fully operational wireless network. We invite passengers to be patient during this phase and be confident that CCJPA and Caltrans will make Wi-Fi hot-spots available on board as soon as possible. We will keep this webpage updated with progress on the major milestones as we achieve them.
Prospective contractors should read further and download all the files required for submittal of qualifications. If there are problems with file downloads, please contact Jim R. Allison, CCJPA at 510.464.6994.
For any other question related to the RFQ process, prospective contractors should follow the instructions contained in the provided documents. Prospective contractors should not contact CCJPA or Caltrans for information on prospective partners for third-party collaboration such as for marketing or partner solutions. CCJPA and Caltrans are not providing a clearinghouse for matching prospective vendors. Please refer to the RFQ document to get further information on the procurement process.
RFQ Summary
The CCJPA in cooperation with Caltrans is soliciting qualifications from interested vendors for the development of a wireless broadband data network that will cover the Capitol Corridor Right Of Way (ROW) from Auburn to San Jose, and the San Joaquin Intercity Rail ROW from Oakland/Sacramento to Bakersfield. The wireless network will provide high-speed Internet access on board the Northern California train fleet. The Wireless Network shall support safety, security, and operational applications for the CCJPA and Caltrans, and free Internet access to their passengers. Furthermore, the CCJPA and Caltrans are currently working with entities such as the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR), the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway, and the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak), which may utilize or expand the Wireless Network, or may use it to host additional applications.
While the CCJPA is not committed to a specific solution or technology, the CCJPA expects that the Wireless Network will use multiple wireless interfaces (e.g., Wi Fi, WiMAX, HSPA, EV-DO) and spectrum bands (cellular, 2.4 GHz, 4.9 GHz, and 5.x GHz with 5.x GHz referring to any license-exempt band in the 5000 MHz to 6000 MHz spectrum band) to provide full coverage and redundancy. The CCJPA plans to use the public safety 4.9 GHz band under an FCC license awarded to Caltrans. Proposed solutions have to seamlessly integrate all the frequencies and wireless interfaces into a single broadband network that uses spectrum and network resources available to the CCJPA in a way that is cost efficient, future proof, and scalable.
The project will be articulated in five phases, some of which may run concurrently:
- Phase 1: Car installation, including a Wi Fi network covering the entire train, wireless and wireline car-to-car connectivity, cellular and wireless broadband (e.g., 4.9 GHz and 5.x GHz) modems and antennas.
- Phase 2: Installation of a Passenger Information System (PIS) that includes outside Light-Emitting Diode (LED) signs, in-car Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) signs, and a Public Announcement (PA) system.
- Phase 3: Construction of a trackside wireless broadband network to transport traffic to and from the trains, including:
- The installation of 4.9 GHz base stations along the tracks outside stations, and of 5.x GHz base stations at stations, along the Capitol Corridor.
- The installation of a 4.9 GHz and 5.x GHz network in CaltransÕ San Joaquin Intercity Passenger Rail Route from Sacramento to Stockton, and from Martinez to Bakersfield, including stations.
- Phase 4: Installation of cameras along the ROW and implementation of video analytics software. The installation of cameras may be developed in cooperation with the UPRR and the BNSF.
- Phase 5: Installation of Positive Train Control (PTC) equipment on cab cars and locomotives, in cooperation with the UPRR and the BNSF.
Important dates for Prospective Contractors:
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| May 11, 2009 | The CCJPA publishes the RFQ. |
| May 12, 2009 | Prospective Contractors can submit questions (see RFQ document for details) |
| May 22, 2009 3:00 pm PDT | The CCJPA no longer accepts questions from Prospective Contractors. Prospective Contractors planning to attend the pre-submissions meeting shall register their attendance by this date (see RFQ document for details) |
| May 27, 2009 9:00 am PDT | The CCJPA holds a pre-submission meeting in Oakland, CA, open to Prospective Contractors (attendance is recommended but optional). |
| May 29, 2009 | The CCJPA publishes addendum to RFQ with answers to Prospective Contractors questions. |
| June 22, 2009 3:00 pm PDT | Qualifications Submissions from Prospective Contractors are due. |
IMPORTANT
Prospective Contractors are responsible for checking the CCJPA website for document and process updates, which will be displayed on this site with a link and a date of posting.
Pre-Submittal Meeting
Attendees (In-Person and Webinar), May 27, 2009 Word [128kb] - This is a list of attendees from the May 27, 2009 Pre-Submittal Meeting, both in-person and via webinar.
Presentation (slides with audio), May 27, 2009 Windows Media File [105mb] - This is a Windows Media file of the May 27, 2009 Pre-Submittal Meeting (screen shots and audio). To view this file using Windows Media Player, you may be required to install the GoToMeeting codec. As stated during the meeting, the answers provided on the audio track are provisionary. For answers to questions, please see the Q&A Document below.
Q&A Document UPDATED June 12, 2009 Word [1.2mb]. For those having trouble with the embedded PDF link in this document, please use this link: Q&A Document - Question #22 PDF Document [810kb]
Pre-Submission Presentation (slides), May 27, 2009 PDF [size 1.2mb]
Required RFQ And Associated Documents
RFQ document - Word [3.8m] | PDF [2.92m]
Quotations form - Excel [103kb]
Submissions Template - Word [190kb]
RFQ Press Release - PDF [size 90kb]
Miscellaneous - Caltrans rail car documentation and reader file for AutoCAD files [750m]. This file is VERY large. It contains PDF, CAD files, and a free CAD reader. These are drawings and specifications for various rail equipment cars in the Northern California fleet and are for reference only, as being mentioned in the RFQ, and are not expected to be crucial to the development of RFQ responses.
Responses to Questions
On May 29, the CCJPA will post a document with answers to questions received between May 12 and May 22, 2009. Authors of the questions will not be identified in the responses. The document will address all questions submitted by prospective vendors, but individual authors of the questions or their company affiliation will not be identified.
511.org