by NellieBly
The subject of Positive Train Control has been "under the radar" for most railfans, but a noteworthy event happened on July 21. FRA issued its proposed rule requiring railroads to install PTC on all "main lines", all those that carry passenger trains, all those that carry more than five MGT of traffic, and all those that carry any TIH (toxic inhalation hazard) traffic. Implementation plans are due by next April (2010) and systems must be in place by 2015. This is real, folks.
There will be a hearing in Washington on August 13, for any of you who would like to comment (first you have to read the 304-page document describing the proposed rule).
PTC will permit operation of passenger trains at more than 79 MPH, subject to other requirements such as track safety standards. It will positively enforce train separation, and it will permit the removal of obsolete cab signal and intermittent train stop systems. Get ready for the new world!
I just finished wading through the rule in all its detail. The USDOT Office of Policy will be offering appropriate comments in due time, but all told I think FRA did a very good job of laying out the case for PTC, the costs, and the potential benefits for the freight railroads.
Some consider it an "unfunded mandate". The rule, however, makes it pretty clear that the intent is that PTC will replace existing control systems in time. In that case, the net cost to the industry will be quite small, and the potential benefits very large. And we may see lots more higher-speed passenger trains.
There will be a hearing in Washington on August 13, for any of you who would like to comment (first you have to read the 304-page document describing the proposed rule).
PTC will permit operation of passenger trains at more than 79 MPH, subject to other requirements such as track safety standards. It will positively enforce train separation, and it will permit the removal of obsolete cab signal and intermittent train stop systems. Get ready for the new world!
I just finished wading through the rule in all its detail. The USDOT Office of Policy will be offering appropriate comments in due time, but all told I think FRA did a very good job of laying out the case for PTC, the costs, and the potential benefits for the freight railroads.
Some consider it an "unfunded mandate". The rule, however, makes it pretty clear that the intent is that PTC will replace existing control systems in time. In that case, the net cost to the industry will be quite small, and the potential benefits very large. And we may see lots more higher-speed passenger trains.
Randy Resor, aka "NellieBly" passed away on November 1, 2013. We honor his memory and his devotion to railroading at railroad.net.