septemberoctober2024 - 22

Hydrogen Testing
The ZEMU train consists of two cars with a power module
in between, housing the hydrogen tanks and fuel cells that
supply electricity to the train's traction motors. The train can
seat 108 passengers and has ample standing room, reaching
speeds of up to 79 mph. It is expected to begin operation in
2024 as part of the Arrow service between San Bernardino
and Redlands, Calif.
The Stadler ZEMU train completed its testing at the TTC
in Pueblo, Colo., and has been delivered to SBCTA for final
preparations before entering service. The tests that were conducted
at the TTC were performed by Stadler's test engineers,
with support from ENSCO TTC personnel.
The ZEMU testing program consisted of two phases. The
first phase included static tests such as static lean tests, wheel
load equalization and battery charging capacity evaluations.
The second phase involved dynamic on-track tests required for
train acceptance. These tests assessed acceleration, deceleration,
maximum speed, brake performance, electromagnetic
interference radiation, Positive Train Control, train radio
communication, ride quality and
other key performance metrics.
The second phase also included
tests specific to hydrogen propulsion,
verifying vehicle range, fuel
consumption, propulsion performance,
refueling operations and
zero-emissions.
Dynamic on-track tests of the
A ZEMU train.
Photo: Transportation
Technology Center
ZEMU were conducted on TTC's
Transit Test Track (TTT) and the
Railroad Test Track (RTT). The TTT
is a 9.1-mile loop simulating urban rail settings, including
tight-turn curves, while the RTT is a 13.5-mile loop designed
for a broad range of speeds up to 165 mph. These tracks offered
flexibility in train movements, allowing Stadler and
ENSCO test engineers to evaluate various operational scenarios,
which included conducting an on-track endurance
test that broke the Guinness World record for the longest
distance ever traveled by a hydrogen fuel cell electric multiple
unit train without refueling. On March 22, 2024, the ZEMU
achieved an impressive distance of 1,742.025 miles, which is
approximately the same distance from St. Louis, Mo., to the
ZEMU's final delivery location at the SBCTA in California.
Hydrogen fueling and storage at TTC
To facilitate hydrogen vehicle testing, the TTC and ENSCO
have deployed a hydrogen fueling operation and storage system.
As the only testing site in North America with a fully
operational hydrogen fueling station and a dedicated onsite
HAZMAT and fire department, the TTC stands out as a
unique hub for advanced hydrogen vehicle testing across various
transportation modes, including rail, buses and trucks.
The TTC has plans for greater expansion of hydrogen fueling
and storage to meet growing demand, which includes
expanded storage and facilitating research and workforce
22 Mass Transit | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2024
development for emerging hydrogen
technologies.
Ensuring hydrogen
vehicle safety
An important aspect of the emerging
hydrogen fuel in transit systems is ensuring
crashworthiness, fire and tunnel
safety of its vehicles. The TTC is uniquely
situated to conduct these tests and aid
in the successful and safe deployments
of hydrogen powered vehicles. First are
the TTC's dedicated fire department and
onsite HAZMAT subject matter experts.
Having these key personnel onsite enables
all hydrogen vehicle testing to be
conducted safely.
Next is the TTC's ability to conduct
various crashworthiness testing,
including train-to-train head-on collisions,
grade crossing accidents both
with a train striking a highway vehicle
or a highway vehicle striking the side
of a train. Additionally, the TTC can
perform various bus crashworthiness
scenarios, including various collision
scenarios and rollover events. A key element
of the TTC is performing these
tests with hydrogen onboard the vehicles
at the time of crash testing.
Testing how these vehicles endure a
fire is also important, particularly in
testing hydrogen-specific safety features,
such as emergency venting systems. The
TTC also has the Facility for Underground
Rail Security and Safety Testing
(FURSST), which is a 300-foot-long underground
tunnel used for testing of vehicles'
response to fire or blast scenarios.
Funded by the Transportation Security
Administration for the Vehicle
Blast Vulnerability research project, the
tunnel was primarily built for confined
space blast tests. However, the FURSST
is also useful for hydrogen vehicle testing
in understanding how a hydrogen
released in a tunnel behaves and the
effects of any resultant fire.
In addition to testing, workforce development
of first responders is also key
with ensuring hydrogen vehicle safety.
The Ambipar Response Training Center
(ARTC) located at the TTC provides
hands-on, live-fire training for first responders.
The ARTC's training includes
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