OC Explained: Line 2 & Line 4 Trial Running

When will Line 2 and Line 4 open?

This is the question on the minds of people across Ottawa, especially those interested in travelling by rail to key destinations like Little Italy, Carleton University, and the Airport. Though we don’t have a firm date announced yet, this article will outline all of the steps necessary to open a safe and reliable system.

We're getting closer to launching the system and are in the final stages of testing trains, training staff, and completing final construction activities. Once these activities are complete, we will enter the trial running phase.

Trial running is an important project phase where we perform a number of exercises over a minimum 21-day period to confirm that we’re ready to open the system.

Trial running will demonstrate that the train systems, maintenance and operations personnel are prepared to operate the system under real-life conditions. You can stay informed of progress by checking out the resources at the end of this article.

Read on to learn more about trial running, what all the terms mean and what needs to happen between now and the launch of Line 2 and Line 4 to ensure the system is safe and reliable.

Pathway to passenger service

Launching a new rail system is more than just laying tracks, arranging for trains to be delivered, and opening the stations. There are also thousands of technical and safety requirements that must be met to ensure your experience on Line 2 and Line 4 is safe and reliable from day one.

The new system is being constructed by TransitNEXT, who will also be responsible for maintaining it.

Guided by the Rail Activation Management Program (RAMP), we’re carefully managing the launch of all our future rail extensions. RAMP relies on extensive coordination between Transit Services staff, TransitNEXT and other project stakeholders.

We have integrated lessons learned from Line 1, recommendations from the Ottawa LRT Public Inquiry, and multiple third-party reviews to ensure that the system we launch meets the expectations of customers.

Here are the next stages that make up our pathway to passenger service for Line 2 and Line 4:

The project team provided an overview of these steps on May 31, and you can watch the presentation here.

Testing and Commissioning

Testing and Commissioning is when we make sure that everything is working together as designed.

The first step of testing is to ensure individual elements are working. For example, we need to ensure the Stadler FLIRT and Alstom Lint trains are operating as intended. After that, we can graduate to testing other systems that will interact with one another.

Think about the last time you stood on a station platform waiting for a train. You access the station after tapping at a fare gate, the lights are on, there are information screens telling you when the train is going to arrive, and audio announcements are made as the train arrives. You have access to an emergency phone, cameras are watching over your safety, and other emergency systems are in place such as fire alarms and sprinklers. Once all these systems are installed and tested, they also need to communicate with one another and the Transit Operations Control Centre.

The testing and commissioning phase is critical to identifying and correcting issues well before the line opens for service.

As of this year, we have been regularly testing nine trains on the south extension (seven on Line 2 and two on Line 4), which has allowed us to make progress on signaling and train control testing. This is the system that ensures trains can communicate their location with one another and with the Transit Operations Control Centre, allowing them to move safely and efficiently as they travel along the rail line.

Photo of signaling and train control testing

In June 2024, we increased the number of operating hours of trains to match what passenger service will be, and to make sure the train fleet and systems are reliable. This then allowed for the maintainer, TransitNEXT, to demonstrate their ability to perform maintenance activities within the time allotted under our future operating schedule.

At the same time, we have also been training our staff who will run the new system. Diesel Rail Operators will drive trains and Diesel Rail Controllers will monitor train movements in our Transit Operations Control Centre. Testing and commissioning is a chance for them to meet their training requirements. Completing this training is a major milestone in the preparations for opening the system and moving towards Trial Running. Once completed, it will help provide a clearer picture of when opening day will be.

Emergency Responders, including Ottawa Police Service, Ottawa Fire Services, Ottawa Paramedics and OC Transpo Special Constable Unit have completed familiarization tours, tabletop exercises and a full-scale exercise to make sure they are prepared to respond to safety incidents. There will be additional emergency training exercises as we get closer to launching the new lines.

Preparing for Trial Running

We’re currently preparing for trial running, and these are the critical steps that we need to complete before advancing to this phase:

Systemwide testing and performance

All trains, infrastructure, and systems have been tested and need to consistently work together.

Training

Training of Diesel Rail Operators and Diesel Rail Controllers is a critical final step to make sure we have enough staff with the right experience to operate the system.
TransitNEXT is fully mobilized and ready to commence maintenance.

Construction

Final electrical, mechanical, fire safety systems, and communication system deficiencies need to be completed to receive station occupancy permits.
All stations are substantially complete with only minor deficiencies remaining.

Practice running

Testing has been gradually increased to match what future service will be. You may see trains on the line more frequently, including on weekends as staff put their training into practice.
Practice running of the system is essential to making sure that OC Transpo staff and the maintainer are ready to run the system, prepared for any situations that may arise during operations and that all the technical systems and equipment are in good working order.

Trial Running

Trial running is the final testing phase where we run the system under real-life conditions to assess the performance, safety and reliability of the system. This phase includes the following objectives:

Validate the performance of the system and ensure staff are fully trained to operate the system
Exercise and validate the operating schedules and system’s performance
Exercise and confirm the operating reliability of all systems under normal and emergency scenarios

Trial running is a minimum 21-day period where we ensure the system is safe, integrates with the existing networks, and delivers service as expected.

During the minimum 21-day period, the first stage will be simulating passenger service. We will evaluate the system’s on-time performance and TransitNEXT’s ability to respond to any reliability events during this period. On-Time Performance is a measurement that compares train arrival and departure times against what is scheduled. To graduate from this stage, we will need to see a minimum on-time performance of 98.5% over a 14-day rolling average. The second stage of trial running will be seven days of failure scenario management where we test our ability to respond to various scenarios that may be encountered while operating a rail system such as medical incidents, service disruptions, and other emergency drills.

Here’s a sample of what we’re evaluating during this stage:

Safety: Ensuring the safety of passengers and the general public is a top priority. Trial running allows operators to identify and address any safety concerns or operational issues before the system is open to the public.
System integration: Rail systems are complex, involving various components such as tracks, signaling systems, stations, and vehicles. Trial running helps demonstrate that all of these components work together seamlessly and efficiently.
Performance evaluation: During trial running, the City of Ottawa can evaluate the performance of trains as well as the maintainer and operations personnel in real-world conditions. This includes how the trains and systems respond to acceleration, braking, and the overall responsiveness to different scenarios.
Fine-tuning operations: Trial running allows operators to identify any operational challenges and make necessary adjustments. This may include optimizing schedules, refining station operations, and addressing any issues identified during the trial period.
Additional staff training: The trial running phase also serves as an opportunity to train operational staff, including drivers and maintenance personnel, on the specifics of the system. This prepares the staff for the challenges they might encounter during regular operations.

Diesel Rail Operators partake in training.

Throughout this process, an independent third-party System Integration Verifier will oversee trial running as it proceeds. Their role is to scrutinize the integration activities to ensure the project team is following industry best practices and to fast track the resolution of any disputes.

Trial running will be an exciting time for the project and daily outcomes will be communicated to Council and shared on our website. The hiring of a third-party System Integration Verifier and the commitment to communicate daily outcomes are lessons learned from launching O-Train Line 1.

Once trial running is complete, we move to the next phase, substantial completion.

Substantial Completion

Substantial completion is the final step before the system is handed over to the City of Ottawa. This is achieved once all the infrastructure elements have been completed, including regulatory approvals, safety and security certifications, and the successful completion of trial running.

An Independent Certifier will certify that the contract requirements outlined in the Project Agreement have been met. The Independent Certifier is a third party that will work with the City and TransitNEXT to ensure all requirements are met and any deficiencies are captured. For example, landscaping may not be required for the safe and reliable operation of the system and can be completed once the system is operating.

An Independent Safety Auditor will confirm that the safety requirements have been met and that the system is ready and safe for service.

Once all the contractual completion requirements, safety approvals, and regulatory approvals are achieved, the City of Ottawa would be in a position to open Line 2 and 4 for service. The City of Ottawa will also look at the following supporting evidence to determine the system can go into service:

The overall system had been thoroughly exercised with extensive running of nine train operations between January 2024 through May 2024
The system had been operated and maintained at the final service levels for a period of eight to ten weeks after the completion of training
No new or emergent safety or reliability defects arose during the final running period that require additional rectification time.

If everything above has been achieved, staff will provide an opening date to the Light Rail Sub-Committee.

OC Transpo Readiness

Once the stamp of approval from the Independent Certifier is given, the system is handed over to OC Transpo where we complete final steps before customers can start using the train.

This step ensures that our employees are prepared to operate a fully integrated transit system on opening day of O-Train Line 2 and 4. This step includes things like integrating the new lines with our Transit Operations Control Centre, Line 1 and bus services, and allows for additional staff training and orientation. As this new O-Train Extension will be federally regulated, we will also require Transport Canada’s approval to proceed.

At this stage, passenger service is just around the corner. To help you prepare to use the new lines, we will ramp up our city-wide information campaign.

Passenger Service

After all the t’s are crossed, and the i’s are dotted, it’s time for opening day.

We welcome you to come try the new, extended system reaching more communities in the south. We will provide you with all the information you need including timing, route information, and more prior to opening.

So, when will Line 2 and 4 open?

We are making progress and getting closer to narrowing down the timing for opening as we take the necessary steps along the pathway towards launching the system. This period is important as it builds our familiarity and confidence in the system.

We know customers are eager to try the new system and some have waited a long time to have the train service back. We are also eager to launch this new service and reach Ottawa’s south communities with rail, but we must follow this process to ensure we provide quality service from day 1. One thing is for sure: we won’t launch until we’ve completed the multi-stage pathway that ensures the system is safe and reliable.

How can I stay informed?

An overview and update on trial running was provided at a Technical Briefing on July 18, 2024, and can be viewed here.

We’re committed to keeping you informed and will update this article to ensure you can confidently know when you can take your first trip. We’ll continue to keep you in the loop of project progress on social media, our website, and regular updates to Transit Commission and Light Rail Sub-Committee.

There will be continued engagement with Council, the public and stakeholders, and daily reporting to Council during Trial Running.

You can continue to get updates from our team about the status of the O-Train extensions.

To stay up to date on O-Train Extension progress:

Is there an O-Train Extension project topic you’d like to read more about? Let The Next Stop Blog team know by emailing thenextstopblog@ottawa.ca.