Metro Magazine, September/October 2015

38 mETRO mAGAZINE SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2015 metro magazine com iStock image serggn There are currently 23 commuter railroads operating in the U S and only 29 of them are targeting to complete installation of positive train control technology PTC by the federally mandated deadline of Dec 31 2015 according to the American Public Transportation Association APTA Full implementation of PTC for all commuter lines is projected by 2020 PTC technology is designed to automatically stop or slow a train before accidents caused by human error occur including train to train collisions derailments caused by excessive speed and unauthorized incursions MILESTONES While the status of PTC implementation across the industry is bleak there are some bright spots In mid June Southern Calif s Metrolink launched PTC into Revenue Service Demonstration with passengers on board across the entire 341 mile network the agency owns This accomplishment makes it the first railroad in the nation to have PTC running during regular service on all of its hosted lines and remains on track to become the nations first passenger rail system to have a fully operational interoperable and certified PTC system in place The current cost for developing inTime Running Out for Commuter Rail Positive Train Control Fixstalling and deploying PTC on Metrolink totals 2164 million with funding coming from a combination of federal state and local sources Approximately 85 of the funds were state and local dollars Another passenger rail network making significant strides with its PTC project is the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority SEPTA In July members of Pennsylvanias federal delegation Sen Robert Casey Jr and Reps Chaka Fattah Pat Meehan and Ryan Costello toured SEPTAs suburban Philadelphia PTC testing facility During the tour the lawmakers viewed demonstrations of on board and track side PTC communication equipment and rode in technology equipped railcars along a working test track See page 40 Theres nothing like seeing this up close said Sen Casey of the tour I think we all have a better understanding of what positive train control means a better sense of some of the challenges in making sure it is implemented CHALLENGES But positive stories about PTC are few and far between as many commuter rail systems struggle to overcome the numerous challenges posed by the expensive and complex undertaking Ongoing challenges commuter railways face include availability of the wireless spectrum APTA has asked Congress to direct the Federal Communications Commission to provide free radio spectrum for PTC A number of transit agencies have been unsuccessful at completing negotiations with spectrum holders says Brian Tynan APTAs director government relations The limited number of suppliers of PTC technology is another hurdle Those companies with proven capability to deliver the equipment in use in the U S according to a Federal Railroad Administration FRA report include General Electric Transportation Systems Wabtec Railway Electronics Systems Alstom Signaling Solutions and Siemens Rail Automation Another challenge is the potential for radio interference Differing technologies used by railroads operate with different communication protocols in similar frequency bands which can lead to desensitization according to an FRA report FUNDING Perhaps the greatest challenge with regard to implementation of the rail safety technology is how to pay for it According to APTA conservative estimates are that While 29 of U S systems are targeting to complete installation by the deadline potential fines of up to 25000 a day could await those that dont comply if an extension isnt passed BY JANNA STARCIC Executive Editor