FRA says Q1 2019 shows significant progress toward PTC implementation
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) released a status update reflecting railroads’ self-reported progress toward fully implementing positive train control (PTC) systems. FRA noted that the First Quarter 2019 PTC Progress Reports indicated those railroads required to implement PTC continue to make significant progress.
As of March 31, 2019, PTC systems were in operation on almost 48,050 of the nearly 58,000 route miles subject to the statutory mandate — a 3 percent increase from last quarter. Also, railroads are conducting advanced field testing, known as revenue service demonstration (RSD), on an additional 341 route miles.
“We will maintain our laser-like focus on this rail technology initiative, and FRA will continue allocating and leveraging all necessary resources to support the swift implementation of PTC,” said FRA Administrator Ronald L. Batory.
All railroads required to implement PTC had until Dec. 31, 2018 to meet several statutory requirements to qualify for an alternative schedule to have PTC fully implemented by Dec. 31, 2020. All railroads met the 2018 requirements, but only Port Authority Trans-Hudson, Metrolink, North County Transit District, Northstar Commuter Rail and Sound Transit's Sounder trains are the commuter lines with fully operational PTC systems. FRA data also includes .
FRA explained that with approximately 19 months remaining until the statutory implementation deadline of December 31, 2020, it will continue to conduct comprehensive and vigorous regulatory oversight, as well as provide technical assistance to all host and tenant railroads and coordinate with PTC system component suppliers and vendors.
A key requirement of the original Congressional mandate is interoperability, meaning the controlling locomotives and cab cars of any host railroad and tenant railroad operating on the same main line will communicate with and respond to the PTC system, including uninterrupted movements over property boundaries.
Interoperability has proven to be a significant challenge for the rail industry. FRA's progress reports for the first quarter indicate Amtrak has successfully achieved interoperability the three of the required 19 host railroad PTC systems. Commuter railroads have successfully achieved interoperability with 19 of 65 host railroad PTC systems.
Mischa Wanek-Libman | Group Editorial Director
Mischa Wanek-Libman is director of communications with Transdev North America. She has more than 20 years of experience working in the transportation industry covering construction projects, engineering challenges, transit and rail operations and best practices.
Wanek-Libman has held top editorial positions at freight rail and public transportation business-to-business publications including as editor-in-chief and editorial director of Mass Transit from 2018-2024. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content.
She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and served 14 years as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.
She is a graduate of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication.
