2011
ENGINEERING & MAINTENANCE
SNOW PLAN
MBTA
12/1/2011
Never Again!
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ENGINEERING & MAINTENANCE SNOW PLAN
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ENGINEERING & MAINTENANCE SNOW PLAN
(Revised 11/11)
RESPONSIBILITIES – ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER
The Assistant General Manager for Engineering & Maintenance shall have overall responsibility
for implementing the department’s snow plan and snow fighting initiatives. The Assistant
General Manager (AGM) for Engineering & Maintenance shall be responsible for monitoring,
through the Operations Control Center, weather conditions and forecasts. In preparation of
impending storms, the AGM may deem it necessary to implement Team #1, Team #2 and/or
order additional personnel to remain on duty. In order to ensure a consistent approach to snow
preparation and snow fighting initiatives, Team #1/#2 will be implemented department-wide.
The Director of OCC and Training for Subway and Bus shall maintain contact with other
Directors prior to and during all snow storms.
RESPONSIBILITIES – SENIOR DIRECTOR
The Senior Director of Engineering and Maintenance is responsible for all deployment and
coordination of all snow and emergency teams. The Senior Director of E&M will coordinate all
emergency planning with the E&M Snow Team and the Operations Control Center in
preparation of a weather emergency.
RESPONSIBILITY - DIRECTORS
The Director of Physical Infrastructure Maintenance and the Director of Systems Infrastructure
Maintenance, herein called the Directors, will be responsible for their teams. Upon order of the
AGM and in cooperation with the Operations Directorate, the team designated to fight the
impending storm will assume the responsibility for putting the snow plan into effect.
The Directors will be responsible for Storm Control readiness. This includes maintaining the
required complement of personnel and ensuring that all necessary communications hardware and
snow fighting equipment is fully operational.
In the event that the AGM is not available when ice or snow storms commence, the Senior
Director will take the initiative to implement the Snow Plan.
The Directors will maintain contact with their Deputy Directors and Superintendants regarding
service, storm conditions, equipment and manpower availability.
One Director is to be assigned to Team #1 and the other to Team #2. When a team is on
assignment for a storm, the opposite team will be off duty. Hours are to be regulated according
to the time of day and length of storm.
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ENGINEERING & MAINTENANCE SNOW PLAN
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EMERGENCY TEAM #1
Senior Director of Engineering & Maintenance
Director Physical Infrastructure Maintenance
Deputy Director of Communications
Supervisor Signal Engineers and Operations Control Center
Deputy Director of Buildings and Structures
Superintendant of Power Systems & Equipment
Supervisor of Electrical Maintenance
Deputy Director of E&M QA/QC (Assigned to OCC)
Supervisor Building & Station Maintenance
Supervisor of Transmission & Distribution
Supervisor of Mechanical Maintenance
Supervisor of Building & Station Maintenance
Superintendant of Heavy Rail Lines MoW Orange, Red, Blue
Supervisor MoW Blue Line
Supervisor MoW Orange Line
Supervisor MoW Green Line
supervisor Signals Red Line
EMERGENCY TEAM #2
Director Systems Infrastructure Maintenance
Deputy Director of Power
Deputy Director of Maintenance of Way
Supervisor of Yards and Services
Superintendent of Transmission & Distribution
Superintendent of Electrical and Mechanical Maintenance
Manager of Maintenance Control Center (Assigned to the OCC)
Supervisor of Building & Station Maintenance
Supervisor of Structures
Superintendent T&D Maintenance (Nights)
Supervisor of Power Control & Traction Substations
Supervisor of Building & Station Maintenance
Assistant Supervisor of Electrical Maintenance
Superintendant of Night Operations
Supervisor of Charlestown Equipment & Yard
Supervisor of Nights MoW
Supervisor of Track Inspection MoW
Supervisor of Signals – Green Line
Supervisor of Communications
Manager of Vertical Compliance
Supervisor Red Line MoW
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Supervisor Signals Orange Line
Signals Supervisor Nights
Supervisor Signal Cabot Shops
RESPONSIBILITIES
Supervisor of Charlestown Yard & Equipment, The Maintenance of Way Division of
E&M is responsible for mobilizing, under a Storm Emergency directive, to undertake the salting,
sanding, plowing, and removal of snow at all of the Authority properties, with the exception of
Commuter Rail’s physical plant. Snow removal for busways, bus garage parking lots, Employee
Parking Areas, Bus Stops and sidewalks will be coordinated by the Supervisor of Charlestown
Yard and Equipment, who can be reached at: cell number 617-438-9764.
Maintenance Control Center (MCC) (extension 5278) is located at 21 Arlington Ave,
Charlestown Building 2 on a 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week basis. Once the Maintenance
Control Center is advised by the Operations Control Center that snow has fallen on Authority
property, they immediately notify the AGM for Engineering & Maintenance. The Senior
Director of Engineering and Maintenance, Director of Systems Infrastructure Maintenance, and
Director of Physical Infrastructure Maintenance who will issue the necessary orders for putting
this storm emergency plan into operation. The Maintenance Control Center relays the
instructions to activate the equipment and deploy the required personnel. If the storm is forecast
to develop an accumulation of more than a few inches, the Superintendent of Light Rail,
Charlestown Equipment and Charlestown Yard, is directed to staff the office and provide
supervision of the forces.
A new customer snow complaint email address has been established,
mbtasnowandice@mbta.com. Emails sent to this address will go directly to the MCC, the AGM,
the Director of Physical Infrastructure Maintenance and the Deputy Director of Maintenance of
Way. The complaints will be handled on a case by case basis, with the proper personnel being
dispatched as required.
Overall Division Responsibilities:
The Assistant General Manager of E & M, Senior Director of E&M, the Director of Physical
Infrastructure Maintenance and the Director of Systems Infrastructure Maintenance will
coordinate all emergency planning with the Operations Control Center in preparation of a
weather emergency.
The Director of Physical Infrastructure Maintenance is responsible for the deployment and
coordination of all snow and emergency teams.
The Deputy Director of Maintenance of Way is responsible for deploying and supervising all
resources to keep the track Right-of-Way, yards, parking lots, busways and other specified areas
maintained and operational; maintaining sand and salt depots that are manned on a 24-hour basis
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as required; and combining forces with Track Maintenance personnel to aid in snow removal
work.
The Deputy Director of Signals is responsible for ensuring the maintenance and operation of all
switches (within signal territory), third rail and train stop heaters, as well as all work shown on
Schedule “C”.
The Deputy Director of Power is responsible for snow removal at all substations and power
facilities.
The Deputy Director of Building Maintenance is responsible for snow removal at all bus stops,
hatches and emergency exit doorsways across the system.
The Assistant Superintendant of Cleaning Services is responsible for coordination of all cleaning
crews for snow removal at all Station platforms, sidewalks, stairways and bus stops in and
around transit stations.
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TRANSIT FACILITIES SNOW PLAN
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Superintendent of Building and Structures for Transit Facilities is responsible for the
safety of Authority buildings and, as required, sees that snow is removed from certain roof tops
and head houses. This includes responding to electrical difficulties involving buildings and
structures. The Superintendent of Building and Structures under the direction of the Director of
PIM will supervise all bus stop snow clearing.
BUS STOP LOCATIONS TO BE CLEARED BY TRANSIT FACILITIES PERSONNEL:
Transit Facilities will clear all Bus Stops (including shelters) along the following key bus routes
before moving forward with additional bus stops:
Rt. 28 –Mattapan to Ruggles via Blue Hill
Rt. 15-Kane Square to Ruggles via Dudley
Rt. 22- Ashmont Ruggles via Seaver
Rt. 1 –Dudley to Harvard via Mass. Ave, Dudley IB to Beacon Street via Mass Ave, Memorial
Drive IB to Harvard Sq via Mass. Ave, Harvard Sq to Memorial Drive via Mass. Ave, Beacon
St. OB to Dudley via Mass. Ave.
Rt. 66 –Dudley to Harvard Sq. via Harvard Ave, Dudley IB to Brookline Village via Tremont,
Brighton Center IB to Harvard Sq. via North Harvard St, Harvard Sq. OB to Brighton Center via
N. Harvard St, Brighton Center OB to Brookline Village via Harvard St, Brookline Village OB
to Dudley via Tremont
Rt. 32 –Forest Hills to Walcott
Rt. 39 –Forest Hills to Back Bay
Rt. 57 –Watertown Sq. to Kenmore, Packards Corner IB to Kenmore via Comm. Av, Kenmore
OB to Pacakards Corner via Washington St, Brighton Center IB to Pakards Corner via
Washington St, Brighton Center OB to Oak Sq. via Washington St., Oak Sq. IB to Brighton
Center via Washington St., Oak Sq. OB to Watertown Sq. via Washington St., Watertown Sq. IB
to Belmont St. via Washington St.
Rt. 71 –Watertown Sq. to Harvard Sq. via Mt. Auburn St., Harvard Sq. OB to Belmont St. via
Mt. Auburn St., Belmont St. IB to Harvard Sq. via Mt. Auburn St., Belmont St. OB to
Watertown Sq. via Mt. Auburn St., Watertown Sq. IB to Belmont St. via Mt. Auburn St.
Rt. 73-Waverly Sq. to Harvard Sq., Harvard Sq. OB to Belmont St. via Mt. Auburn St., Belmont
St. IB to Harvard Sq. via Mt. Auburn St.Mt. Auburn St. OB to Waverly Sq. via Belmont
St./Trapelo Rd., Waverly Sq. IB to Mt. Auburn St. via Trapelo Rd./ Belmont St.
Rt. 77- Arlington Heights to Harvard Sq. via Mass. Av., Harvard Sq. OB to Alewife Brook
Parkway via Mass. Av., Alewife Brook Parkway IB to Harvard Sq. via Mass. Av., Alewife
Brook Parkway OB to Arlington Heights via Mass. Av., Arlington Heights IB to Alewife Brook
Parkway via Mass. Av.
Rt. 116/117 Wonderland to Maverick via Beach St.
Rt. 111-Chelsea/ Woodlawn to Haymarket
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The Supervisor of Bridge & Structure Maintenance will coordinate with the Automotive
Department for support personnel in vehicle maintenance.
The Deputy Director of Power, in severe snowstorms, will oversee the maintenance and
operation of the complete power system. The Superintendent of Transmission and
Distribution will direct maintenance and operation of the power distribution network and the
catenary system. They will also have two emergency crews; one at Cabot and one at Watertown
Square in Brighton. The Superintendent of Power Systems and Equipment will direct the
maintenance and operation of the substations, power generation and power control. They will
have at least one crew available to respond as needed. Two (2) pickup trucks with plows and
spreaders will be assigned to support plowing of substations.
Water Pumps
Water pumps with hoses are stored at Charlestown Yard for use in conditions of high water.
Large Pump Flat, (GPL car), is available on the Green Line for pumping.
POWER DEPARTMENT
ICE REMOVAL PROCEDURES FOR OVERHEAD WIRES
Whenever a freezing rain or ice storm is forecast, it is very important for Subway Operations to
operate sleet trains throughout the night in order to avoid a build-up of ice on the underside of
the trolley wire.
If the storm arrives unexpectedly and the trains do not operate, we can expect the ice to build up
on the trolley wire and prevent the pantographs from making proper contact. In this case, the ice
removal process is tedious and difficult.
Presently, we have snowplows, work cars and PCC cars still equipped with trolley poles. These vehicles
are located throughout the system and stand ready to be used in an emergency. The initial step is to
install a bronze sleet cutting insert in the trolley shoe, then Operators will be instructed to transverse the
line as many times as necessary to scrape the ice away from the underside of the trolley wire. The ice
can only be removed by scraping with the shoe portion of the pole or striking the wire with a
non-conductive piece of equipment. The trolley pole itself must not be used to strike the wire, as this
will cause burning and pitting of the trolley wire and possibly burn down the trolley wire.
The Emergency Crew will be standing by whenever ice scraping is in progress in the event of a
trolley wire burn down.
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Vertical Transportation
Severe Weather Preparedness Plan
The following procedures shall be adhered to by all personnel either upon declaration of a severe
weather event by the Operations Control Center, or as specific conditions may warrant as
determined by the Director of Systems Infrastructure Maintenance, or authorized designee. All
Subway Operations, Bus Operations, Power & Transit Facilities and KONE personnel shall be
aware of and comply with the practices and procedures hereinafter described.
Availability of the Authority’s Vertical Transportation equipment is critical during severe
weather. Personnel shall pay particular attention the condition of equipment during severe
weather so as to preserve the safety of the riding public while protecting equipment from
damage. Sand, snow, salt and water all have a detrimental impact on Vertical Transportation
equipment and the safety of passengers who depend on this equipment. This document is
intended to provide the general practices and procedures to ensure passenger safety, protect
equipment and provide the best possible equipment availability.
ELEVATORS:
The following Vertical Transportation elevator equipment is exposed to the elements and
deemed to require increased attention from all aforementioned personnel during a declared
severe weather event:
Quincy Adams 806,807
Porter 818
Harvard 821
Central 860,861
Kendall 863
Park 804
South Station 926,927,949
Broadway 876
JFK/UMass 830,831
North Quincy 897,898,899
Chinatown 922
New England Medical 857
Ruggles 848
Forest Hills 843
Kenmore 948
Aquarium 915,925
Savin Hill 946,947
Airport 932
Lobby to garage levels
Lobby to street level
Lobby to street level
Lobby to street level
Lobby to street level
Lobby to street
Lobby to street level
Lobby to street level
Platform to lobby level
Lobby to parking & street level
Lobby to street level
Lobby to street level
Busway to lobby level
Busway to lobby level
Lobby to street level
Lobby to street level
Lobby to platform & street level
Platform to lobby
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Elevators continued.
Haymarket 908
Wood Island 889
World Trade Center 934
Courthouse 940
Downtown Crossing 891
Downtown Crossing 892
Fields Corner 957
Fields Corner 958
North Station 912
Lobby to busway
Platform to lobby
Lobby to viaduct
Street to lobby
Platform to street
Platform to street
Lobby to IB platform
Lobby to OB platform
Lobby to street level
Critical elevator issues include the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Hydraulic fluid tank heaters
Machine room unit heaters
Shafts and pits
Parking level of elevator cabs
Doors
Car and hall landing sills
Cycling of equipment
Cab and hall lighting
KONE:
KONE shall confirm the proper operation of all hydraulic fluid tank heaters. If a tank heater is
not operating the maintenance contractor shall be responsible for the corresponding repair or
replacement. If other factors or support is required to restore tank heater operation the
Maintenance Control Center and the Superintendent of PS&E shall be immediately notified.
KONE shall assure the system ready status of all tank heaters by November 1st in advance of
each winter season.
KONE shall confirm the operation of all elevator machine room heaters. If a machine room
heater is not operating, the Authority’s Maintenance Control Center and the Superintendent of
PS&E shall be immediately notified. KONE shall verify the system ready status of all machine
room heaters by November 1st in advance of each winter season.
KONE shall inspect elevator shafts and pits for snow/ice/water infiltration. If a shaft requires
attention or a pit requires pumping the Authority’s Maintenance Control Center and the
Superintendent of PS&E shall be immediately notified. KONE shall implement this procedure in
advance of, throughout the duration of and following a severe weather event.
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In spite of the aforementioned requirements and responsibilities, KONE shall not deviate from
the regular preventive maintenance program on any equipment throughout the transit system.
The Transit Facilities Station Support Systems personnel shall be responsible to assure
compliance with this section.
STATION CLEANERS:
The Facility and Station Cleaners shall make every reasonable effort to keep elevators available
for service. Elevator elements include:
•
•
•
•
Cab floors
Cab sills and door tracks
Landing sills and door tracks
Landing areas
Severe weather activities include:
1. Inspection of elevator elements
2. Removal of sand, salt and debris from sills and door tracks
3. Removal of sand, salt and debris from cab floors
Elevators at street level (exterior exposed): Station Cleaning personnel will make every
reasonable effort to remove snow drift accumulation as needed, hourly if possible. Station
Cleaning personnel will make every reasonable effort to ensure that accessible paths to street
level landings are kept clear and usable at all times.
Subway Operations Station Support Services supervisors and Station Officials will be
responsible to ensure compliance with this section.
STATION OFFICIALS:
Station Officials shall make every reasonable effort to monitor elevator operation, status and
condition (including noted critical issues) during a declared severe weather event. If an elevator
requires service or cleaning the Station Official shall immediately notify the Maintenance
Control Center.
Station Officials shall, at the start of daily revenue service during a declared severe weather
event, run each elevator a minimum of three full trips to cycle the motor and hydraulic fluid.
CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENTS:
Customer Service Agents shall be cognizant of each elevator’s operation, status and condition
(including noted critical issues) during a declared severe weather event. Each and every hour
during a declared severe weather event, Customer Service Agents shall inspect the herein listed
elevators. If an elevator requires service or cleaning the Customer Service Agent shall
immediately notify the Maintenance Control Center.
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POWER SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT:
The Superintendent of PS&E and KONE, in advance of, throughout the duration of and
following a severe weather event shall confer to determine the requisite level of KONE
workforce personnel in order to meet the Authority’s Mission Statement.
The Transit Facilities personnel (Station Support Systems and/or those assigned to vertical
transportation equipment routes) shall be vigilant with respect to each elevator’s operation, status
and condition (including noted critical issues) during a declared severe weather event. During a
declared severe weather event, said Transit Facilities personnel shall inspect each and every
elevator within their route jurisdiction a minimum of three times per shift. If an elevator requires
service, cleaning or other action the Maintenance Control Center shall be immediately notified.
REMOVING EQUIPMENT FROM SERVICE:
Equipment may require removal from service during a declared severe weather event, or as site
specific conditions may warrant. This action is intended as a proactive measure to prevent
passenger hazards, equipment damage and consequential long term outages. Station Officials,
the Transit Facilities Division and KONE shall have authorization to remove equipment from
service. If any of the aforementioned personnel determine that the operation of an elevator
during a severe weather event (or under other site specific conditions); (1) poses a safety risk to
passengers or (2) poses a significant risk of equipment damage, the unit shall be removed from
service.
The following procedure shall be used when removing equipment from service:
1. Elevator shall be “parked” at street level landings, as applicable, to prevent
infiltration of snow, ice, water, etc.
2. Elevator shall be shut down using normal procedures and secured by KONE via
machine room electrical disconnect.
3. Notification shall be made to the Maintenance Control Center, the Operations Control
Center, the Superintendent of PS&E, Manager of Station Support Systems Deputy
Director of Transit Facilities and Kone.
4. Normal procedures with respect to service outage notifications, customer information
signage, website/update line information, etc. shall be implemented.
5. Barricades with signage (indicating the reason for the service outage) shall be placed
at each affected landing (KONE~Transit Facilities Division).
6. Protective devices (i.e. storm covers) shall be installed at street level door openings,
as applicable and required (KONE~Ttansit Facilities Division).
Prior to restoration of service following the event impact, KONE shall inspect the equipment to
ensure safe, operable status. The above steps shall be reversed for returning equipment to
service.
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ESCALATORS:
The following Vertical Transportation escalator equipment is exposed to the elements and
deemed to require increased attention from all aforementioned personnel during a declared
severe weather event:
Porter 504,505
Harvard 512,513
Central 359,360
Park 373,375,320
South Station 386,387
Broadway 372
Quincy Adams 346,347,348
Braintree 333
Forest Hills 127,128
Kendall 361,362
Savin Hill 423
Downtown Crossing 365
Fields Corner 427
Street to lobby, lobby to street
Street to lobby, lobby to street
Street to lobby, street to lobby
Lobby to street, lobby to street
Street to lobby, lobby to street
Lobby to street
Lobby to garage levels
Street to garage overpass
Busway to lobby (2)
Street to lobby (2)
Lobby to platform
Lobby to street
Lobby to IB platform
Critical escalator issues include the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Lubrication
Unit heating components
Comb segments/teeth
Steps
Landing areas
Handrails
Pits/machine spaces
Comb/demarcation/area lighting
KONE:
KONE shall confirm the proper operation of all unit heating components, as applicable. If a
heater is not operating the maintenance contractor shall be responsible for the corresponding
repair or replacement. If other factors or support is required to restore heater operation the
Maintenance Control Center (617-222-5278) and the Superintendent of PS&E shall be
immediately notified. KONE shall assure the system ready status of all applicable heaters by
November 1st in advance of each winter season.
KONE shall inspect escalator pits for snow/ice/water/debris infiltration. If a pit requires
pumping the Authority’s Maintenance Control Center and the Superintendent of PS&E shall be
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immediately notified. KONE shall implement this procedure in advance of, throughout the
duration of and following a severe weather event.
In spite of the aforementioned requirements and responsibilities, KONE shall not deviate from
the regular preventive maintenance program on any equipment throughout the transit system.
The Transit Facilities Division Station Support Systems personnel shall be responsible to assure
compliance with this section.
STATION CLEANERS:
The Subway and Bus Operations Station Cleaners shall make every reasonable effort to keep
escalators available for service. Escalator elements include:
•
•
•
•
Steps
Step transition areas
Walk-on plates
Landing areas
Severe weather activities include:
1. Inspection of escalator elements
2. Removal of sand, salt and debris from steps, walk-on plates and landing areas
3. Removal of sand, salt and debris from approach mats (where applicable)
Escalators at street level (exterior exposed): Station Cleaning personnel will make every
reasonable effort to remove snow drift accumulation as needed, hourly if possible. Station
cleaning personnel will make every reasonable effort to ensure that accessible paths to street
level landings are kept clear and usable at all times.
Subway Operations Station Support Services supervisors and Station Officials will be
responsible to ensure compliance with this section.
STATION OFFICIALS:
Station Officials shall make every reasonable effort to monitor escalator operation, status and
condition (including noted critical issues) during a declared severe weather event. If an escalator
requires service or cleaning the Station Official shall immediately notify the Maintenance
Control Center.
Station Officials shall, at the start of daily revenue service during a declared severe weather
event, ride each escalator a minimum of three full trips to cycle the equipment and assure proper
operation.
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CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENTS:
Customer Service Agents shall be cognizant of each escalator’s operation, status and condition
(including noted critical issues) during a declared severe weather event. Each and every hour
during a declared severe weather event, Customer Service Agents shall inspect the herein listed
escalators. If an escalator requires service or cleaning the Customer Service Agent shall
immediately notify the Maintenance Control Center.
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