Q2 2020 PTC Update: Two commuter railroads removed from “at risk” list, two remain
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) released the railroads’ Second Quarter 2020 PTC Progress Reports, which marks advancement toward implementation of Positive Train Control (PTC). The final deadline to have the safety system installed and implemented is about 20 weeks away.
FRA Administrator Ronald L. Batory said he was “highly pleased” by progress all railroads made during the second quarter. FRA reports nearly all railroads subject to the mandate are operating their systems in revenue service or in advanced field testing. Commuter railroads delivered a 12.9 percent increase in route miles governed by PTC in Q2 compared to Q1. As of June 30, 2020, 76.1 percent of commuter railroads’ mandated route miles were governed by PTC technology and PTC technology remains to be activated on approximately 690 required commuter rail route miles.
“While more work lies ahead, the significant advancements made thus far are encouraging. I applaud all railroads involved in this unprecedented effort for their intensive collaboration to get all concerned to the finish line,” said Administrator Batory.
Two commuter railroads, Metra and TEXRail, were removed from the “at risk” list due to their substantial progress in Quarter 2 of 2020. Both railroads entered RSD on 100 percent of their required main lines and submitted their PTC Safety Plans and are now focusing on completing interoperability by the December deadline.
“This is the kind of synergy, partnership and cooperation we want to encourage,” said Batory, adding that FRA continues to direct additional staff resources to support railroads at risk of not fully implementing an FRA-certified and interoperable PTC system by the end-of-year deadline.
Two passenger railroads, New Jersey Transit and New Mexico Rail Runner Express, remain “at risk” of being non-compliant with the law to have PTC implemented by Dec. 31, 2020. Rail Runner service has been suspended since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the railroad said PTC work would continue.
As of June 30, NJ Transit has 27 percent of its required route miles governed, it has not reached interoperability with any of the seven required railroads, but it has submitted its PTC Safety Plan. According to a July PTC update from NJ Transit, four of the railroad’s 12 lines are in the Extended Revenue Service Demonstration (ERSD) phase, an additional four lines will enter ERSD in Q3 and the final four lines will enter ERSD in Q4.
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.
