The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) recently released data from the third quarter highlighting railroads’ progress toward Positive Train Control (PTC) implementation.
The deadline for fully implementing PTC systems or qualifying for an alternative schedule is the end of the year.
As of Sept. 30, 24 railroads have completed PTC system hardware installation, and 11 railroads are between 95 and 99 percent away from completion. PTC is in operation on 71 percent of freight railroads’ required route miles and 26 percent of passenger railroads’ required route miles.
The FRA awarded $203 million in grant awards in August for PTC implementation to 28 projects in 15 states.
“The progress made over the last year is a testament to what can be accomplished with proper focus and attention,” FRA Administrator Ronald L. Batory said. “We encourage any railroads seeking an alternative schedule to submit their formal requests in a timely fashion.”
During the third quarter, there was a 67 percent decrease in the number of “at-risk” railroads from the end of 2017 and a 44 percent decrease since the previous quarter.
The five at-risk railroads are Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Altamont Corridor Express, New Jersey Transit, Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (Caltrain), and National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak).
Amtrak was 92 percent compliant at the end of the third quarter and still needed to install hardware.
Caltrain was 91 percent compliant and needed to install hardware, train employees and implement sufficient revenue service demonstration (RSD).
New Jersey Transit was 66 percent compliant and needed to install hardware.
Altamont Corridor Express was 55 percent compliant and needed to install hardware and implement sufficient (RSD).
Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority was 46 percent compliant and needed to install hardware, train employees and implement sufficient RSD.
Collectively, the railroads own or control approximately 1,302 route miles subject to the statutory mandate.