[Cagdu] FW: USA: situation update on shocks to dogs from light rail in Oregon

[tina thomas]

Subject: USA: situation update on shocks to dogs from light rail in Oregon




TriMet steps up its monitoring of devices that reduce
shocks to paws
MAX - Capacitors, which absorb voltage, will get
weekly checks to benefit guide dogs
Sunday, March 16, 2008
JOHN SNELL
The Oregonian

BEAVERTON -- TriMet still isn't sure why guide dogs
for the blind are sometimes shocked by its westside
MAX line. But officials say they believe the problem
now is fixed.

Beginning eight years ago, guide dogs for the blind
were sometimes shocked while walking near westside MAX
tracks after a rain.

The shocks weren't strong enough to physically harm
the dogs but were strong enough to undo the extensive
training for some dogs.

There was no problem with the tracks in downtown
Portland or on the east side. No one ever figured out
the mystery of what made the westside tracks unique.

Three dogs were shocked seriously enough that they had
to be retrained. One had to retire.

In 2003, TriMet put capacitors along the tracks to
absorb the extra voltage. The cost of the system was
less than $5,000, while it cost upward of $50,000
to train a single guide dog.

Problem solved. Or so everyone thought.

Patricia A. Kepler, past president of Guide Dog Users
of Oregon, was at the Elmonica MAX station in January
when her 5-year-old German shepherd, Reuben,
was shocked as they tried to board the train to head
downtown.

At TriMet, spokeswoman Peggy LaPoint said the agency
retested the capacitors that were installed in 2003
and discovered that some had worn out and others
had blown fuses.

"We were able to replace these capacitors," she said,
"and have tightened up monitoring."

TriMet was checking the capacitors each month. It will
now check them every week.

The trains are powered by electric motors, but the
motors are fed by overhead lines, rather than the
power carried in the tracks.

That electricity runs signal lights and carries 15 to
25 volts, compared with the 12 volts in most car
batteries.

Without the capacitors, westside tracks carry as much
as 35 volts -- enough to give dogs a start.

Kepler's guide dog, Reuben, wasn't badly hurt, but the
experience made him skittish around trains and even
things that remind him of them. He'll hesitate
before entering an elevator, Kepler said, because its
doors open and close automatically, just as they do on
a train.

"He seems really frightened," Kepler said. "I'm
working on it. At this point, I don't think it's going
to be an ongoing problem."

John Snell: 503-294-5949; johnsnell at news.
<mailto:johnsnell%40news.oregonian.com> oregonian.com

http://www.oregonli
<http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1205553300306
290.xml&coll=7>
ve.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1205553300306290.xml&coll=7

C2008 The Oregonian

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