During the first quarter of 2018, the commuter rail industry made progress in implementing positive train control (PTC), according to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).
PTC is required under law to be implemented by the end of 2018, or if certain milestones are met, by Dec. 31, 2020.
APTA discovered 88 percent of the PTC spectrum has been acquired, 81 percent of onboard equipment has been installed, 79 percent of on-track equipment has been installed, 70 percent of back-office control systems are ready for operation, 61 percent of employees have been trained, and 30 percent of commuter rail miles are either in the process of testing PTC or the system is fully operational.
“Safety is the commuter railroad industry’s number one priority,” Paul P. Skoutelas, APTA president and CEO, said. “Implementing this complex communications technology will provide a critical safety overlay on top of already safe commuter rail systems. APTA members are working aggressively to implement this important safety system as soon as possible.”
Implementing PTC has brought the industry many challenges including that fact that it will cost more than $4.1 billion. Railroads will need diverting funds from infrastructure and other improvements to pay for implementation.
Commuter rail operators also have faced technological challenges in regards to PTC installation.