The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) maintains third-quarter reports point to the commuter rail industry fully implementing Positive Train Control (PTC) by the December 2020 deadline.
PTC is a signaling and communications technology that provides critical safety redundancies to the commuter rail industry.
“The commuter rail industry is poised to complete full implementation of positive train control by December 2020,” APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas said. “Riding commuter rail is 18 times safer than driving an auto, and as an industry, we are committed to being a leader in rider safety by implementing Positive Train Control. Our industry has devoted tremendous time and resources to ensuring the safety of riders through PTC implementation.”
According to the APTA, as of Sept. 30, 2020, 100 percent of railroads are PTC certified by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) or awaiting FRA approval on submitted PTC safety plans while seven out of 23 railroads are certified by FRA, and 16 railroads have submitted their safety plans to FRA, a required step before certification – and are awaiting the agency’s approval.
Additionally, the APTA indicated six other commuter railroads are tenants, and their hosts have been approved by FRA.
APTA is a nonprofit international association of 1,500 public and private sector entities representing an industry employing 435,000 people.