COMMUNICATION SYSTEM Technical Specification No.

08-014

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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION SECTION 14
TABLE OF CONTENTS
14 COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM ---------------------------------------------------------------- 2
14.1 System Functions------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2
14.2 System Requirements-------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2
14.3 Public Address System (PA)------------------------------------------------------------------ 3
14.3.1 General -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3
14.3.2 Recording Announcements ---------------------------------------------------------------3
14.3.3 Amplifier------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4
14.3.4 Speakers------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5
14.3.5 Crew Intercommunication System (IC)------------------------------------------------- 6
14.4 Control Panels ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7
14.4.1 Communication Control Panel ----------------------------------------------------------- 7
14.5 Passenger Emergency Intercom System----------------------------------------------------- 7
14.6 Destination Sign System----------------------------------------------------------------------- 8
14.6.1 Equipment Description-------------------------------------------------------------------- 8
14.6.2 Location of Equipment-------------------------------------------------------------------- 8
14.6.3 System Operation-------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9
14.6.4 Memory Transfer Unit -------------------------------------------------------------------- 9
14.6.5 System Components and Wiring--------------------------------------------------------10
14.7 Train Announcements-------------------------------------------------------------------------10
14.7.1 General -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------10
14.8 Conductors Signal System------------------------------------------------------------------10
14.9 Radio and Communications------------------------------------------------------------------10
14.10 Referenced Standards-------------------------------------------------------------------------11
14.11 Contract Deliverable Requirements List ---------------------------------------------------11

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14 COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM
14.1 System Functions
The Contractor shall provide a complete and functional communication package for each car.
Each communication package shall be comprised of the following:
a. Public Address System (PA)
b. Crew Intercommunication System (IC)
c. Control Panels
d. Passenger Emergency Intercom System (PEI)
e. Destination Signs
f. Train Announcements
g. Train to Wayside Communication
h. Crew to Wayside Cellular Equipment
Details of the design, equipment, arrangement, and installation of the complete communication
package shall be submitted to VRE for approval during the design review process. CDRL [14-
01]
14.2 System Requirements
a. The communications system shall permit the train crew to make announcements and to page
the passengers and other train crewmembers by use of the speakers in the passenger areas of
the cars.
b. It shall permit two-way radio communication between the train crew/Operator and other
trains and wayside installations.
c. It shall permit private two-way intercommunication between any two (2) communication
control panels within the train; e.g. between train crew and Operator.
d. It shall also accommodate recorded or digitized human speech messages for announcements
or other passenger information in accordance with the requirements of 49 CFR 38 and enable
announcements to be interfaced with the interior and exterior destination sign for visual
broadcasting. In addition, the system shall be capable of receiving and displaying on the
interior signs arbitrary text messages addressed to the passengers and/or crew (paging
system).
e. Passengers shall have the capability to communicate with the train crewmembers via the
Passenger Emergency Intercom System.
f. Each cab car shall include cellular communications capabilities incorporated with the radio
communications and capabilities to record PA announcements.
g. The communications system shall be designed so that provisions are made for future transfer
of data between the train and wayside installations using a modem and/or via wireless LAN.
h. All trainline communication shall be compatible with existing VRE cars.
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i. Communication apparatus described hereinafter shall be powered from the locomotives 74
Vdc low voltage power supply through the locomotive control trainline and
Communications System circuit breakers and shall be capable of operation within the voltage
range specified in Section 3.2. The PA and radio shall be provided with separate circuit
breakers. Apparatus requiring power conversion devices, because of voltage range
requirements, shall have those devices designed integral to the apparatus. Power conversion
devices, external to the apparatus, shall not be acceptable.
j. Suppliers of the communication systems shall have proven experience in the successful
design and manufacture of apparatus of this type for similar railcar application, and the
Contractor shall follow the manufacturer's recommendations for its installation.
k. All apparatus furnished under this Section shall be capable of operation without damage in
the environment as specified in Section 3.5 with the car heating and air-conditioning systems
inoperative.
14.3 Public Address System (PA)
14.3.1 General
The PA system shall allow one-way communication from the train crew or the automatic
passenger information system to the passengers. The PA system shall provide clear intelligible
audio with a constant audio level regardless of position of the audio source within the train. It
shall incorporate an automatic volume adjustment feature to compensate for ambient noise
conditions.
The PA system shall include microphones, amplifiers, speakers, associated wiring, and other
circuits, and, when operating, shall have the following performance characteristics:
a. Frequency Response: 3 dB minimum from 80 Hz to 8,000 Hz
b. Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): less than 1% over entire frequency range
c. Signal to Noise Ratio >100 : 1
d. All audio communication systems and public address systems shall provide at least a 90%
intelligibility rating in compliance with "Method for Measuring the Intelligibility of Speech
over Communication Systems", ANSI S3.2- 1989. In accordance with this standard, the test
shall present phonetically balanced words embedded in a standard carrier sentence. In
designing the test, at least 100 words shall be selected at random from the list of phonetically
balanced words given in Table 1, in Section 8.2 of ANSI S3.2-1989. Participants in the
intelligibility tests shall include a minimum of three listeners and three announcers; and the
test words shall be concealed from the listeners.
14.3.2 Recording Announcements
a. Each PA announcement made by a crewmember shall be recorded and stored digitally in the
cab car and/or locomotive. The announcements shall be digitally recorded, vox controlled,
and stored in non-volatile memory.
b. The storage memory shall have sufficient capacity to store not less than eight (8) hours of PA
announcements with memory organized on a first in first out basis. The system shall
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permit the down loading of announcement information to PC and removable PC memory
card (PCMCIA).
c. The system shall maintain the following information for each PA announcement:
1) Announcement
2) Time of Announcement
3) Car Number where Announcement was Initiated
d. The system shall also have the capability to provide the following data to a future trainline
data system:
1) Train Number
2) Train Consist including Road Numbers for All Cars and Locomotives
3) Location of Train
Details of the design, arrangement, and installation of the PA System shall be submitted to VRE
for review and approval. CDRL [14-02]
14.3.3 Amplifier
a. The public address amplifier and spike suppression filters shall be mounted in an approved
location in each car. The unit shall be completely solid state, with modular construction,
housed in a steel enclosure, and mounted on a standard AAR mounting rack, or approved
equal. Provision shall be made for securing the unit with a cylinder lock. The amplifier shall
be mounted in such a manner that it can be readily removed from the front of the enclosure.
b. The unit shall have a minimum output of the lesser of 25 watts or sufficient capacity to drive
all specified speakers at the specified sound level. The gain controls shall be adjustable and
installed in a well-defined location with restricted access in the amplifier enclosure.
c. The amplifier unit shall be complete with transient filtering capable of withstanding 2.5 kV
peak pulse with total energy of fifty (50) watt seconds.
d. The PA system shall produce a minimum compression range in the microphone and circuits
of 18 dB with a maximum output level variation of 2 dB.
e. The amplifiers shall be designed such that the audio output to the trainlines and speakers
shall have a consistent level when the Operator's mouth is between two (2) and twelve (12)
inches from the microphone. The line amplifier shall be capable of delivering a minimum of
+20 dBm into an impedance of from 200 to 600 ohms.
f. The PA amplifier shall incorporate an automatic output level adjustment to ensure that the
messages are heard by the passengers over the ambient noise level within the car. The
automatic output level adjustment shall be capable of maintaining an audio output ten (10)
dB higher than the ambient noise level for all car-operating conditions, but shall never
exceed a level of 90dB. The automatic output level adjustment shall make use of sensing
microphones located within in the passenger compartments.
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g. Use of the interior speakers as ambient noise sensors shall be prohibited. As a minimum, the
system shall include sensing microphones; at least one (1) on the upper level, and one (1) on
the lower level. The ambient noise level shall be sampled immediately before each PA
announcement is initiated. The sampling method and location of sensing microphones shall
be included in the design review packages.
h. The design, material, and workmanship of the amplifier and its application shall be subject to
approval of VRE. All terminals and wires shall be properly identified. With speech input,
the amplifier shall operate continuously with full output, at rated input voltage, and without
damage to components. [CDRL 14-03]
14.3.4 Speakers
14.3.4.1 Interior Speakers
a. The location and number of the speakers shall be such as to provide a uniform audio level
throughout each passenger compartment. The location and number of speakers shall be
subject to the approval of VRE. [CDRL 14-04]
b. A minimum of one (1) speaker shall also be installed in the center vestibule, if applicable,
and in the toilet room of each car. All speakers shall be arranged in such a manner as to
eliminate feedback because of an active microphone.
c. Each speaker shall be mounted behind a flush baffle in the car ceiling by means of screws
and hinge fittings or screws only. The speaker installation shall be arranged such that
speakers can be removed and replaced by removing the baffle without disturbing ceiling
panels. The baffle shall be integrally colored to match the decorative treatment of the car.
Speakers shall be secured with tamper proof screws.
d. The interior speaker shall be of the direct radiating, permanent magnet field type capable of
handling up to ten (10) watts of audio power. The nominal axial sensitivity shall be at least
ninety-two (92) dB at four (4) feet with one (1) watt input. The speaker shall have a wide
dispersion characteristic.
14.3.4.2 Exterior Speakers
a. Two weather resistant exterior speakers shall be used per car, one per side. They shall be
located below passenger side windows between the side doorways at the approximate quarter
points of the carbody.
b. External loudspeakers shall have a frequency response of 80 to 10 000 Hz and a dispersion
angle of 115 degrees. The loudspeaker shall have a minimum power handling capacity of 15
watts. With the vehicle standing in the station, but with all equipment operating, the speaker
shall clearly be heard and understood at the rear of the platform, up to 12-ft. The
intelligibility of the speaker output shall be as specified in Section 14.3.1d
c. The exterior speakers shall be integrated into the carbody, be weather resistant and shall be
installed to prevent water ingress. The loudspeaker locations shall not violate the vehicle's
dynamic outline. They shall be immune to the chemicals and detergents normally used
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during car washing, shall not interfere with nor damage mechanical car wash brushes, and
shall be designed to withstand forces generated by these brushes
d. All speaker assemblies shall have a seventy (70)-volt line matching transformer rated at four
(4) watts; with taps at one (1), two (2), and four (4) watts. The secondary of the transformer
shall properly match the voice coil of the speaker. The primary of the matching transformer
shall be connected to the speaker distribution wires by means of a two (2) conductor lead
which shall be provided at one end with two (2) three-way, Fast-on terminals, or approved
equal, which shall plug into a matching connector in the speaker distribution circuit mounted
in the ceiling. The transformer end of the lead shall be arranged to permit connection or
reconnection of the conductors to any taps.
e. The speakers shall be phased so that when the primary is connected to the distribution line
according to the labeling, all speaker cones will move in the same direction at the same time.
The speaker shall have a one-piece stamped steel frame with an outside diameter of
approximately six (6)-in. and shall mount to a flat baffle with four (4) equally-spaced slots or
holes. The overall depth shall not exceed 4-in. The cone, voice coil assembly, and
suspension shall be moisture resistant. All ferrous metal parts shall be made rust resistant by
plating.
f. The speakers shall be connected in parallel with uniform polarity to a pair of wires from their
respective amplifiers.
g. Wiring for the speaker system shall conform to the requirements of Section 15. Fusing of the
speaker distribution system shall not be required.
h. Speakers, located adjacent to the communication control panels or the control head, shall be
automatically disconnected during PA transmission to prevent feedback. The speaker shall
be protected by a metal or plastic enclosure. The enclosure shall adequately protect the
speaker from the affects of dust, moisture, magnetic materials such as steel filings, or other
foreign objects. The protective enclosure shall be rustproof. It shall mount on the speaker
baffle completely enclosing the speaker from the rear.
i. The enclosure shall include knockouts and gaskets for the dust-tight entrance of the speaker
connection leads. The enclosures shall be so constructed that no mechanical resonance or
vibration occurs. The speaker baffle and enclosure shall be supplied by the same
manufacturer.
14.3.5 Crew Intercommunication System (IC)
The Crew Intercommunication System shall provide two-way communication between the
control stations required in Section 14.4.

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14.4 Control Panels
14.4.1 Communication Control Panel
Each vehicle shall have a communication control panel (CCP) located adjacent to the Master
Door Control panel. The communications control panel shall be located at an approved height
above the floor. Each communication control panel shall include:
a. A handset and intercom speaker mounted behind a vandal-proof, perforated grille.
b. A flush mounted, coach key operated selector switch with four positions: "PUBLIC
ADDRESS, "INTERCOM, "PASSENGER EMERGENCY, and "OFF. The key shall
be removable in the "OFF" position only.
c. A PEI Activated light.
d. Operating instructions in photo luminescent material per section 4.1.1.6 of APTA Standard
SS-PS-001-98.
The key switches shall be activated by a standard coach key. The key switch shall be an electric,
non-mechanical-type switch. Insertion and rotation of the standard key shall activate the
communication system control without physically moving a switch contact. Alternate
mechanical designs that are functionally equivalent may be submitted for approval by VRE.
[CDRL 14-05]
The handset microphone shall be designed with a coiled cord and have a push-to-talk switch and
incorporate a noise cancellation feature.. Push to-talk switch must be "leaf" type, capable of
1,000,000 operations. The output shall be -15 dBm with 600 ohm output impedance and sound
pressure of 30 microbars, 300 Hz. Frequency response shall be 300 Hz to 1 KHz using 3
dB/Octave.
VRE shall approve the installation and protection of the wiring to the control panel. [CDRL 14-
06]

14.5 Passenger Emergency Intercom System
Each car shall have a Passenger Emergency Intercom (PEI) system to allow two-way
communication between passengers at a PEI panel and train crew through the existing train
intercom system. There shall be a PEI panel located in each level of the car and in the toilet
room. Details of the design, installation, arrangement, and location of the PEI panels shall be
submitted to VRE for approval during the design review process. [CDRL 14-07]
The PEI panel shall be vandal proof and shall include:
a. A flush mounted microphone and intercom speaker behind a perforated vandal-proof grille.
b. A push to call push button. When the PEI panel's call button is depressed, a PEI status
indicator light will light on the local PEI panel. The status light on all other PEI panels in the
consist shall flash, indicating that the system is busy. Simultaneously, a distinctive audible
signal shall be activated and sounded throughout the consist through the PA system. Once a
PEI panel is activated, all other PEI panels in the consist shall be locked out.
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c. A push to talk button. Once the audible signal has completed, crew members may talk to the
passenger at the active PEI panel through any communications intercom in the consist. The
passenger will push the push to talk button to speak, and release it to listen. When
complete, the passenger shall push the call button again to deactivate the panel.
d. Operating instructions and the car number and location (such as Car Number XXX, A-
End) shall be provided adjacent to the panel in photo luminescent material per APTA
Standard SS-PS-001-98. Operating instructions shall clearly indicate For Emergency Use
Only.

14.6 Destination Sign System
14.6.1 Equipment Description
An Electronic Destination Sign System shall be installed on each car. It shall comply with all
requirements of 49 CFR 238 and IEEE Std 1477..
a. Each car shall have one Operators Display Keyboard unit (ODK) and one Sign Control Unit
(SCU).
b. All cars shall have two (2), fifteen (15)-character, LCD side signs with 2.5-in. character
height, for viewing from the exterior of the cars as installed on the Comet V cars or
equivalent.
c. All cars shall have four (4), fifteen (15) character, LCD signs with 2.0-in. character height,
for viewing from the interior of the cars. The number of signs and character height will be
determined by car design and provided that the sign is ADA compliant.
14.6.2 Location of Equipment
a. The externally viewed side signs shall be located as approved by VRE; one (1) on the right
and one (1) on the left side of each car. The opening shall be glazed, and the glazing shall be
secured with a neoprene-glazing strip. A housing compatible with the interior design with a
hinged cover, shall be provided on the interior of the car. Approved fasteners shall be
provided to secure the access door. The hinged cover shall be large enough to allow
troubleshooting and removal of the sign assembly without disturbing or removing of the
glazing assembly.
b. Two (2) internally viewed signs shall be installed in wall panels at an approved location for
each level of each separate passenger compartment. Upper level, mid-level and lower level
shall be considered separate passenger compartments.
c. The sign control unit on Trailer cars shall be installed in a locker as approved by VRE. The
Operators Display Keyboard shall be located in the locker adjacent to the quarter point
doors on all cars. A door shall be provided with a key lock to allow authorized personnel to
access the keyboard for programming, troubleshooting, or removal. The keyboard shall be
placed at a suitable height for easy operation. A window shall be placed in the access door to
allow viewing of the keyboard screen with the door closed. [CDRL 14-08]
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d. A connector shall be provided adjacent to the operators display keyboard and behind the
access door to facilitate the connection of a portable memory transfer unit.
14.6.3 System Operation
a. The system shall be operated from any operators display keyboard of any car in a train. It
shall be possible for only one (1) operators display keyboard unit on the train to be in use at
any given time to select messages.
b. It shall be possible to program all side signs, interior signs, and front signs with different
messages from any operator's display keyboard.
c. Station message sequence for interior signs and PA announcements shall be manually
initiated at the origin station by the train crew.
d. Interior signs (and PA announcements) shall provide the following messages:
1) Announce the next station, when departing a station;
2) Announce the station when approaching a station;
3) Announce the station when stopped at the station;
4) Control of the announcements shall be derived from the vehicle odometer or the count of
wheel rotations on in the cab car on a consist.
e. Provision shall be made to enable the system to be automatically operated from a remote
source such as central control, radio, or automatic vehicle location system. The same
provision shall allow simultaneous activation of a pre-recorded voice message over the PA
system as described in Section 14.2. In order to change messages, an access code shall be
required.
f. Exterior signs shall continuously display either Manassas or Fredericksburg, as selected
by the Operator. The selected message shall remain until changed by the Operator.
g. The sign system shall be operational whenever the 480 Vac Trainline is energized. The
design of the destination sign system, including equipment location and system operation,
shall be submitted to VRE for review and approval during design review process. [CDRL
14-09]
14.6.4 Memory Transfer Unit
A standard IBM compatible PC shall be used to update the message listing and all memory
devices in the sign control units in each car using a PCMCIA card. [CDRL 14-10]
Software programs shall be provided which shall enable authorized personnel to change the
message and voice databases using a standard PC. The software shall be capable of creating
special graphics characters. The message listing created in the computer shall be transferred
directly to each sign control unit via a PCMCIA card or radio frequency, as described above.
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14.6.5 System Components and Wiring
All components and wiring shall meet the requirements of Section 15. Where required to
prevent interference, shielded, twisted pairs of wires shall be used. The power supply shall
operate from the locomotives 74Vdc power through the locomotive trainline.
14.7 Train Announcements
14.7.1 General
The contractor shall make provisions in the communication system that will allow adding a
feature that will permit wayside personnel to transmit arbitrary text messages to the train for
display to the passengers or crew. The paging system shall use the Train to Wayside
Communication (TWC) equipment to receive the page messages. Page messages shall be
transmitted to all cars via a data network.
Programmed station announcements shall be executed as described in Section 14.6.3
14.8 Conductors Signal System
A trainlined electric signal system shall be provided in all cars. Pushbuttons and buzzers shall be
located approximately as follows:
a. Two (2) pushbuttons located at each MDC of all cars, one adjacent to each door control
panel.
14.9 Radio and Communications
The Contractor shall submit a communication system design plan that describes the
communication systems and the criteria used for each system to mitigate potential interference
problems during:
a. Concept development
b. Design development
c. System qualification testing
d. Systems integration into the vehicle
e. Integration of the vehicle into the VRE system
The Contractor shall ensure that the communications equipment including, but not limited to
hand held radios, public address and intercommunications systems are free from on board and
external caused interference. For intercommunications, VRE uses car borne intercom, car borne
radios, handheld radios and cellular telephones. The application of control components, such as
filtering, shielding, and bonding, shall conform to sound engineering practices and industry
standards and shall be an integral part of the car system. Potential interference sources, such as
electric buzzers and other trainline signals, shall be considered and adequately suppressed.
The Contractor shall develop the plan in conjunction with the EMC Plan and shall submit the
plan within 120 days following the Notice to Proceed. [CDRL 14-11]
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14.10 Referenced Standards
49 CFR 38, Transportation Services for Individuals with Disabilities (ADA)
49 CFR 238, Passenger Equipment Safety Standards
AREMA Communications & Signaling Manual, Vol. 5, Section 22
APTA Standard SS-PS-001-98, Standard for Passenger Railroad Emergency Communication
TIA-603, Land Mobile FM or PM Communications Equipment Measurement and
Performance Standards
IEEE Std 1477, Passenger Information System for Rail Transit Vehicles
IEEE Std 1478, Environmental Conditions for Transit Rail Car Electronic Equipment

14.11 Contract Deliverable Requirements List

CDRL Title
14-01 Design, Arrangement, Installation of
Communication Package
14-02 Design, Arrangement and Installation of
PA System
14-03 PA Amplifier Design
14-04 Interior Speakers
14-05 Alternate Key Switch
14-06 CCP Design
14-07 PEI Panels
14-08 Operators Display Keyboard
14-09 Destination Sign System
14-10 Memory Transfers Units
14-11 Interference Mitigation Plan