Make-or-break testing to begin on Confederation Line

Ottawa's Confederation Line is about to undergoa series of tests that could make or break its Nov. 2 deadline, and transportation manager John Manconi told city councillorshe won't be confident about the new LRTsystem's launch untilthose tests are passed.

Manconitold the city's finance and economicdevelopment committee Tuesday he's not concerned about meeting construction deadlines, but about whetherthe trains will run properly on the automated system.

"They have to stop in the exact same spot thousands of times a day," Manconi said.

The automated system allows the trains to essentially drive themselves, with an operator in the cab in case of emergencies.

Until now the contractor building the line, Rideau Transit Group (RTG), has only been able to perform limited testingon the software that tells the trains when to stop.

That's because the tracks haven't all been laid.

Manconitold councillors he'll stop worrying when RTG proves the signalling system works.

Major delays in Edmonton

Ottawa's software is being provided by Thales Canada, the same company that designed the much-maligned automated system for Edmonton's 5-kilometre Metro LRT line.

Ottawa's lineis less complex than Edmonton's since it doesn't cross any roads or existing rail lines.

The city is keeping a keen eye on three key milestones that will prove how well the system works, Manconi said.

First, a train needs to pass through the underground tunnel. The track is completed on the westbound side of the tunnel, but only about half has been laid on the eastbound side.

Next, Manconi wants to see three trains run in automated mode at the same time. Eventually all 34 trains willoperateon the software.

Finally RTGwill need to show the line works from one end to the other. The contractor hopes to finish laying the track this spring so that testing can begin.

The city hopes to put as many kilometres on the trains as possible before the line opens to the public.

If all goes well, the city plans to allow passengers aboard some time in November2018.