PTC requirements to be revisited

The Obama Administration has agreed to adjust Positive Train Control requirements imposed on the nation’s freight railroads, including Class I’s, short lines, and regionals.

The Federal Railroad Administration reached agreement Wednesday with the Association of American Railroads to modify the rules in response to AAR’s concerns. Details would be determined during a public rule-making process later this year.

AAR says the new rules would exempt 10,000 miles of track currently subject to the PTC implementation, which could save up to $500 million. FRA spokesman Warren Flatau said Friday the settlement agreement reflects President Obama’s efforts to cut back on certain costly regulations. But labor is expected to protest the proposed changes.

Class I railroads have cautiously supported PTC installation but have long argued the current plans, finalized in January 2010, included track and routes which posed little or no safety issues and/or offered little real-time improvement to safety.

FRA in 2010 estimated that PTC installation affecting the freight railroads, Amtrak, and regional/commuter rail passenger operations, could cost more than $13 billion over 20 years, including capital and maintenance costs.