CalACT CTA Fall Conference

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• CalACT / CTA Fall Conference EXPO
• Computers In The Workshop
• Prepared by Steve Mullaly
• Senior Maintenance Instructor
• Los Angeles County Metro
• November 5, 2008

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BACKGROUND

• The Los Angeles Metro determined a change was
  needed to improve access to both bus technical
  information via electronic media and to access
  various vendor diagnostic software programs.
• The design for a one stop information center
  was developed to allow the following actions to
  be taken by maintenance personnel
• 1. Access Metro (Intranet) sites
• 2. Provide access to information relating to bus
  diagnostics and preventive maintenance procedures
  to all shop work areas
• 3. Use electronic versions of service and parts
  manuals along with other information media.
  Eliminate or reduce the amount of hardcopy
  manuals
• 4. To allow connectivity to bus via cables for
  all required diagnostic software programs to
  perform maintenance and diagnostics relating to
  bus repair

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Technical Information Center (TIC)What Are They?

• In 1998 LA Metro envisioned, procured and
  implemented a portable diagnostic/information
  kiosk center utilizing a computer, keyboard,
  mouse, touch-screen monitor, speakers, printer
  and required diagnostic software.
• The information/diagnostic kiosk was named a
  Technical Information Center (TIC) and would be a
  central terminal to allow access to all vendor
  diagnostic software programs and maintenance
  documents for the service, maintenance and
  diagnostics of buses.

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THE IDEA OF A TIC

• A TIC was designed to be a Metro Network PC that
• Provides instant access to information and
  diagnostic tools
• Keeps technicians in general work areas
• Provides a method to update service information
  and diagnostic tools when needed
• Reduces the need for hard copy service, parts and
  electrical manuals
• Provide small training modules via in-house
  designed subjects

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PROCUREMENT of TICs

• Bus Orders from (New Flyer and NABI) included
  approved funds for Special Diagnostic and
  Information Systems
• TIC components were shipped directly to property
  and assembled on site for assembly and
  distribution
• As of August 2005, 72 TICs have been delivered,
  setup and distributed to various operating
  divisions

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TECHNICAL INFORMATION CENTERAs Designed

• Top Unit
• W 35 ½ x D 24x L 27
• Bottom Unit
• W 36 x D 24 x L 30
• Total with 8 wheels
• W 36 x 24 x 65 ½

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TECHNICAL INFORMATION CENTERComponents

• Color Touch Screen Monitor
• Outside Power Switch
• Sliding Keyboard Drawer and Keyboard
• Printer
• CPU
• Software relevant to bus order
• Speakers (1)
• Rubber Pneumatic Tires
• Grab Handles (3 sides)
• Exhaust Fan and Filter
• Cabinet Storage Areas

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TIC DIAGNOSTIC SOFTWARE

• Detroit Diesel Diagnostic Link (DDDL)
  Engine Diagnostics
• Allison Doc Electronic Transmission Control
  System
• Cummins Insite Engine Diagnostics
• Wabco Merritor Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
  Diagnostics
• Dinex / RTM Program Real Time Monitoring
  Diagnostics
• Dinex Loader Module Programmer
• Alan Bradley - PLC Programmable Logic Controls
  Diagnostics
• Hubner ACU Articulation Joint Diagnostic
  Software
• Intellegaire - Thermo King A/C Diagnostic
  Software
• Hybrid Bus
• SIADIS ISE System Diagnostics
• Remote Diagnostics Wireless Card

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METRO INTRANET ACCESS POTENTIAL

• Metro Department Home Page (s)
• Vehicle Technology Department
• Bus Warranty Information
• Service Manuals
• Vendor Information
• Bus Fleet Facts
• Maintenance Directives
• M3 System (Maintenance, Materials Management
  System)
• Metro Daily News Whats Happening
• MSSC - (Central Repair Facility) on-line reports
• Fleet Management Reports (Dog Buses Road
  Call)
• Training Informational Video Bits

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INTERNET ACCESS

• Service Support for OEM
• Access to OEM website
• Technical publication updates (service and parts)
  
• Software Updates
• Detroit 3DL software updates
• Pro-Link PCMCIA Card updates
• ABS/Wabco software updates
• Allison software updates

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Metro Lessons Learned

• Pros
• Cons
• Next Slides

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TIC Pros

• Designed to be movable through the shop area
• For connected TICs, in-house information and
  maintenance directives are easily accessed from
  intranet site
• TICs are able to be connected to the intranet
  (same as any network PC)
• Least likely to be stolen like a laptop
• Not as likely to break or be damaged

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TIC Cons

• Not Connected divisions not setup for
  connectivity
• Updates If manually updated who will provide
  service to units and how many?
• Security Issues using DVD for special
  entertainment
• ITS Support will need to designate personnel to
  learn diagnostic software installs for
  connectivity and t/shooting software
• Cables need to purchase long cables to reach
  around bus if necessary
• Printers stolen (used somewhere else) or not
  working
• Not able to be put on bus for road test
  diagnostics
• Bus must be in shop area
• Run over Cables and Kiosks are damaged by run
  overs
• Various interface devices
• OS compatibility issues vs diagnostic (98, 2000,
  XP, Vista)

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FUTURE ?

• Update Existing TICs
• Not feasible per cons
• Purchase Diagnostic Laptops or On-Board Systems
  Diagnostics
• Laptops allows portability and less capital
• Purchase Laptops With 3 Year Extended Warranty
• Eliminates ITS manpower
• Out dated laptops
• Intranet Capability
• Connectivity, wireless cards vs cables (?
  Security Issues)
• Diagnostic Bus
• Each with its own laptop?
• Costly and who maintains?
• Remote Diagnostics?
• Ability to connect to vendor support

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QUESTIONS and ANSWERS
What Does The Future Hold For You?
THANK YOU