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Wireless Internet Access on Trains
Located in the heart of Silicon Valley and the high-tech
industry, Caltrain serves a clientele that is on the cutting
edge of technological advances in computing and
communication.
To better serve these customers, and to attract greater ridership,
Caltrain recognized the need to provide Internet access to
riders on the train. Caltrain explored a variety of different options
for Internet access, including cellular service, satellite connection
and others, but each failed to adequately meet the challenge of
providing consistent, broadband-level service on a train that was
moving up to 79 mph.
Some systems were affected by weather, others by the ability
to maintain connection between the train and the signal towers
when the train was moving at full speed. Others still required
too much equipment. Ultimately, Caltrain elected to use a
WiMAX-based technology that did not have the same limitations
as other systems.
For several months this year, Caltrain conducted a
“Proof of Concept” over 16 miles of track between Palo Alto
and Millbrae. The successful test involved the installation of
seven way-side signal sites, and antennae on two train cars,
which were able to maintain high speed, broadband access
along the entire demonstration zone.
Caltrain is currently completing the system-wide design
and will soon bid out the work for installing the technology
along 52 miles of track between San Francisco and San Jose.
It is anticipated that the service will be available to
customers in late 2007.
In addition to the Internet access this system will provide to
customers, it also will increase communication efficiency and
capacity for various communication projects Caltrain is working on.
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