Mechanical Failure-Related Delays in Commuter Rail Service

5 Mechanical Failure-Related Delays in Commuter Rail Service 

Commuter rails are used in many North American cities. Many times, mechanical failure is the main cause for delays in commuter rail service. In fact, according to Nelson and O Neil [20], approximately one-tenth of all commuter rail service delay minutes relate to mechanical causes such as the following  

Nelson and O Neil s study [20] presented the following distribution of percentages of delays due to commuter rail onboard equipment failures  

20% Delays caused by prime-mover (i.e., main engine) problems 

7% Delays caused by power systems (hotel power) for passenger 

---

Discuss mechanical failure-related delays in commuter rail service. 

---