The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) recently released its fourth quarter 2019 status update on railroads’ progress toward fully implementing positive train control (PTC) systems.
The update includes the 42 railroads required to implement the technology.
“The vast majority of railroads mandated to deploy and operate interoperable PTC systems have shown significant progress,” FRA Administrator Ronald L. Batory said. “I applaud freight and passenger railroads for their direct and sustained engagement with one another, vendors, suppliers, and FRA. I strongly urge those railroads that haven’t yet commenced RSD, conducted interoperability testing, or submitted PTC Safety Plans to intensify their efforts and take advantage of FRA’s technical assistance.”
A total of 96.3 percent of the nearly 58,000 route miles subject to the mandate had PTC systems in operation or advanced field testing as of Dec. 31.
Amtrak had 99.8 percent of mandated main lines in operation or advanced field testing, and Class I railroads had 98.7 percent.
Only 54.7 percent of commuter railroads’ required route miles are in advanced testing, compared to 41.9 percent during the third quarter.
Of the 229 applicable host-tenant railroad relationships, interoperability has been achieved in 38 percent, reflecting a 13 percent increase from the third quarter.
PTC control must be fully implemented before 2021.