The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) recently released a self-reported status update for the second quarter of the year on railroads’ progress toward implementing positive train control (PTC) systems.
As of June 30, 15 railroads have installed all of the PTC system hardware required for implementation, and 12 have installed between 95 and 99 percent of the PTC system hardware. All but one of the railroads have acquired sufficient spectrum.
“The railroads have achieved some significant improvements over the past year implementing this safety technology,” FRA Administrator Ronald L. Batory said. “While we are seeing progress among a majority of railroads, we want to see everyone meet their requirements.”
Any railroad with 90 percent or less of PTC system hardware installed is considered at risk, according to the FRA. During the second quarter, the number of at-risk railroads dropped from 12 to nine.
Class I railroads and entities that provide intercity or commuter rail passenger transportation are required to fully implement a PTC system on all route miles by Dec. 31, unless it qualifies for an alternative schedule.
Installation of PTC system hardware is one of the six statutory criteria required to qualify for an alternative schedule.