STV served as engineer-of-record and systems engineer for the Utah Transit Authority’s (UTA) flagship State of Good Repair (SGR) Traction Power Substation Rehabilitation program supporting the TRAX light rail system: one of the most comprehensive active‑system traction power efforts in the United States. The design‑build program focused on rehabilitating critical traction power infrastructure while maintaining active rail service, encompassing comprehensive systems engineering, modernization of traction power substations and deep integration with UTA’s enterprise Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and communications architecture.
What challenges did STV address?
UTA required modernizing aging traction power infrastructure while maintaining uninterrupted operations. The program demanded phased construction strategies, live‑rail systems engineering and careful coordination with parallel agency‑wide SCADA modernization initiatives to ensure operational continuity, interoperability and long‑term maintainability.
What solutions did STV deliver?
STV provided engineering support from condition assessment through detailed design, systems integration, procurement support and acceptance testing. The project included rehabilitation of 19 existing 800‑V DC traction power substations, modernization of AC and DC power systems, PLC‑based HMI annunciation and integration with UTA’s enterprise SCADA network. STV also developed night‑only and phased construction strategies, alternative control schemes and formal quality, verification, and validation processes.
How does this project benefit the region?
By integrating modernized substations into UTA’s broader control architecture, the project supports safer, more resilient light rail operations and long‑term system sustainability. The program strengthens the reliability and maintainability of TRAX traction power systems while minimizing service disruptions.
Key stats
- 19 traction power substations rehabilitated
- 800‑V DC, 1.5‑MW substations; select upgrades to 2.0‑MW TRUs
