An agreement reached between Amtrak and avionics and IT systems company Rockwell Collins will see 310 diesel locomotives across the United States linked by the ARINC RailwayNet network, messaging and application platform.
Under their agreement, Rockwell Collins will allow Amtrak’s trains to run as “tenants” on 19 host railroads, including Class 1, commuter and freight tracks. RailwayNet factors in by helping train operators meet federal Positive Train Control (PTC) requirements.
“This scope and significance of this agreement is unprecedented – it represents the most extensive support of tenant operations for PTC to date,” Ken Schreder, vice president of Strategic Programs and Surface Transportation Systems for Rockwell Collins, said. “Railroads face the critical challenge of meeting congressionally-mandated PTC requirements while also keeping their operations up and running smoothly. Our ARINC RailwayNet service will allow us to provide Amtrak with a mandate-compliant, secure and tailored PTC network solution for its operations.”
The PTC requirements were created in 2008 as part of the Rail Safety Improvement Act. The Federal Railroad Administration ordered new regulations of railroad safety.