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At its meeting of January 25, 2001, the Commission approved acceptance of a proposal from Trak Com Wireless Inc. for the supply of subway car radios, at a total cost of $384,709.50. In doing so, the Commission requested:

1. a report on the history of radios in the subway, including the issue of financing; and
2. to explore the feasibility of alternative radio technologies, including the installation of equipment to allow cell phones to be used in the subway system.

1. HISTORY OF RADIOS

This project was initiated to improve radio communications in the subway, with specific requirements to enable the emergency response agencies (Fire, Police, and Ambulance) to communicate from the surface into the subway, while responding to emergencies.

Fibre Optic Cable Project

The existing copper infrastructure did not have sufficient capacity to support the proposed subway expansions. As a result, fibre optic technology was selected as the communication medium between the Transit Control Centre and the RTEP lines (Sheppard and former Eglinton West expansion).

Combined Subway Antenna/Fibre Optic Cable Project

Because the Subway Antenna and Fibre Optic System Projects would use the same methods to install cable in the subway tunnels, the two were combined into one project in August 1993.

In 1991, the Commission approved the procurement of 216 new T-1 Subway cars. It was determined that the new T-1 cars should be equipped with radios that used the new technology being installed under the subway antenna system project. In addition and in order to replace obsolete equipment and improve communications on existing subway cars, it was decided to replace the radios on the existing subway cars and work vehicles. This would significantly improve communications for staff and passengers, provide a more efficient operation and ensure reliable subway car communications in future years. This project was approved as part of the 1994-1998 Capital Works Budget.

It should be noted that the unit cost of the on-board equipment is high when compared to a conventional mobile radio due to the very custom nature of TTC’s specific requirements. The radio system performs many more functions other than radio communications, such as public address announcements, intercom, digital message handling, etc.

In order to better manage and co-ordinate project execution, a new project was created to be managed by one group, combining all of the above projects. The funding for this project was combined as part of the approval of the 1997-2001 Capital Program Budget submission. The combined budget was $38,699,000.

At its meeting of November 8, 1994, the Commission approved the award of a contract in the amount of $19,358,538 to Alcatel Canada Wire Inc., for the design, manufacture and installation of a subway radio communication (antenna) and fibre optic cable system. The radio technology is based on a combination of leaky coaxial cables and antennas installed throughout the subway track and station areas. The radio system was to provide the following basic functions:

• Radio communication between the Transit Control Centre (TCC) and subway trains;

• Allow emergency response agencies (ERAs) and TTC personnel to communicate from street level, while responding to emergencies in the subway tunnel system;

• Allow TTC’s paging, surface and maintenance radio systems to function in the subway system.

The original completion date for the contract was November 9, 1997. The contract incurred numerous delays during design due to the developmental nature of the system, and also during installation, due to the limitations of installing equipment at track level.

At its meeting of October 3, 1995, the Commission approved the award of a contract in the amount of $9,953,136 to Midland International Corporation for the design and manufacture of a subway car radio system. This included the supply of wayside radios, transit control equipment and 726 mobile radios to equip all subway cars and work vehicles.

The original completion date for this contract was December 31, 1997. This contract was originally awarded to Midland but in late 1998, Midland's parent company experienced financial difficulties and began to liquidate assets. As a result, staff agreed to allow Midland to transfer responsibility for completion of the work to Trak Com Wireless Inc., who had retained Midland's technical experts, with Midland continuing to provide the financial security. This resulted in numerous delays. These delays were compounded by the custom nature of the equipment, which led to delays in design.

Sept. 1999 - Operation of the new subway car radios began on the Bloor-Danforth line, using the new subway antenna system.

- Subway antenna system also became operational for use by emergency agencies, at track level.

Dec. 1999 - Operation of the new subway car radios began on the Yonge-

University-Spadina line, using the new subway antenna system.

• Subway antenna system also became operational for use by emergency agencies, at track level.

Jan. 2000 -

March 2001 - Three retrofits were performed on the subway car radio system. The retrofits addressed both deficiencies and changes requested as a result of operating experience.

• Staff continue to work with the contractor to resolve outstanding deficiencies and change order work.

• The subway antenna contractor continues to work on fine tuning the radio coverage in the subway station areas (i.e. station entrances, mezzanines, etc.)

When all of the projects were combined into the Subway Antenna/Fibre Optic and Subway Car Radio Project, the budget was $38,699,000, as included in the 1997-2001 budget. Due to the numerous delays encountered on this project, the budget was increased to $40,314,000 in 1999 and $42,048,000 in 2000.

1. RADIO TECHNOLOGIES

The new subway radio system is based on a technology using leaky cables and antennas distributed through the subway tunnels and stations. This technology is the standard used in underground structures since radio waves cannot propagate underground as they do above ground. The radio signals are carried throughout the subway on fibre optic cables, and transferred from there to the base stations that feed the leaky cable and antenna system. The on-board equipment is custom designed and built to meet the very specific requirements of Toronto’s subway system. The radio system has been operational for well over a year and much refinement has occurred and the system now performs very well.

In view of the above, exploring alternative technologies at this time would not seem prudent given the time and effort expended to date to create this state-of-the-art unique system at a cost of over $42,000,000.

A fibre optic system was installed throughout the subway in conjunction with the installation of the subway radio system. The fibre optic system was designed to ensure enough spare capacity for future expansion of TTC facilities. It is possible that spare capacity exists for use by others on a rental basis; however, as noted in the report received by the Commission for its information at its meeting of December 8, 1999, this will not be known until staff complete an evaluation of the usage on the existing system. This evaluation is expected to be complete by the end of this year.

It should be noted that the City is heading an investigation into the use of fibre optics by all City entities and the Commission will be following the direction given as a result of that investigation.

The existing subway radio and fibre optic system was designed with the possible future use of cellular phones in mind. There are some limitations to this possibility such as the number of simultaneous cellular phone users. Also, it is capable of accommodating the 800-900 MHz phones, but not the newer digital 1900 MHz phones (these not being available at the time the subway radio system was designed). Staff intend to investigate this possibility when resources become available after the opening of the new Transit Control Centre and Sheppard Subway Line.

It should be noted that the aforementioned fibre optic capacity study can be undertaken prior to the investigation into cellular phones since the amount of fibre optic capacity required for cellular phones is small compared to the other uses. Staff will ensure that sufficient capacity for possible future cellular phone usage is available during the fibre optic capacity study.

Chief General Manager

6-218-221