APTA | Passenger Transport
July 20, 2009

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BREAKING NEWS

FRA Issues NPRM to Support Use of Positive Train Control

Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood and Federal Railroad Administrator (FRA) Joseph Szabo announced July 16 proposed rules designed to prevent train collisions through the use of Positive Train Control (PTC). The proposed rule would provide guidance and performance standards as railroads implement Positive Train Control systems to prevent train-to-train collisions.

PTC technology is capable of automatically controlling train speeds and movements. “These proposed rules give railroads the framework to use this life-saving technology,” said LaHood. “We believe this is an important step toward making freight, intercity and commuter rail lines safer for the benefit of communities across the country.”

Under the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008, major freight railroads and intercity and commuter rail operators must submit their plans for PTC to FRA for approval by April 16, 2010. PTC systems must be fully in place by the end of 2015. The proposed rules will specify how the technically complex PTC systems must function and indicate how FRA will assess a railroad’s PTC plan before it can become operational.

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