SAFETY & SECURITY
32 | Mass Transit | MassTransitmag.com | NOVEMBER 2018
rious challenges. For instance, a
limited number of PTC technology
manufacturers has strained
the installation eff ort, as has a
limited workforce. Th us far the
primary need has been for track
workers and mechanical staff to
help execute PTC installation.
Looking ahead to the implementation
phase, transit agencies will
need integration and testing engineers,
as well as administrative
staff to help generate the necessary
reports to obtain Federal Railroad
Administration (FRA) approvals.
Transit agencies are bound to
face other challenges during the
implementation phase. Once systems
are installed, testing on individual
components can begin.
Once that testing is complete,
agencies can move into integration
testing to ensure that all components
can function together. “Th en
agencies move into revenue service
demonstration (RSD),” Sundaram
pointed out. “For the passenger
rail industry, that means testing
PTC systems while passengers are
on board.”
Data from RSD testing is then
submitted to the FRA in pursuit
of a conditional certifi cation. “A
complex challenge arises which is
interoperability testing,” Sundaram
said. “Railroad hosts and tenants
need to be on the same page
with all soft ware and components
performing compatibly with each
other. Th is can be a challenge.”
Despite this challenge and
others, the transit industry has
already made progress on the
implementation phase. According
to APTA’s June scorecard, 34
percent of commuter railroads
were in testing, revenue service
demonstration, or already operating
trains with PTC.
Positive Train
Control (PTC)
A major safety initiative the industry
has been undertaking is the
Congressional mandate for PTC
installation by the end of this year.
Th e next deadline is December 31,
2020 when full implementation of
PTC systems is required.
“Th e general outlook is very
positive based on the progress
that has been made—especially
regarding the 2018 installation
requirement,” said Narayana
Sundaram, APTA’s senior director
of engineering and commuter
rail operations.
According to APTA data compiled
back in June:
• 91% of needed radio spectrum
had been acquired, with all 100%
expected by the end of October
• 85% of 13,698 pieces of on-board
equipment on locomotives and
cab cars had been PTC-installed
• 79% of 14,083 wayside installations
had been completed
• 78% of back offi ce control systems
were ready for operation
• 74% of 14,847 employees had
been trained
Th e industry continues to
make progress despite some se-
APTA HOSTED a commuter rail
PTC workshop.
PTC EDUCATION
offers multiple
insights.
By the
Numbers
34%
of commuter
railroads were
in testing,
revenue service
demonstration or
already operating
trains with PTC
/MassTransitmag.com