FRA awards $25 million for PTC implementation
Eleven projects across six states and the District of Columbia will receive grants from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to assist in the implementation of Positive Train Control (PTC).
PTC
ASLRRA receives DOT Technology Grant for PTC implementation
The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) announced on August 16 that it has received a grant from FY2016 Railroad Safety Technology Grant Funds, made available through the Department of Transportation and the Federal Railroad Administration. The $2.5 million grant will support the development and implementation of a back-office product that delivers Positive Train Control (PTC). The product will be made available to all short line and regional railroads.
AAR doubles down on FRA crew size proposal
In comments submitted August 16 in response to a July 15th public hearing, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) again urged the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to withdraw its proposed rule mandating two-person crews on railroads. The AAR also called on the FRA to disclose the data sources it has used to inform its proposal, which AAR says is not supported by any publicly available safety data.
InnoTrans: Let’s support our USA Pavilion
InnoTrans, the semi-annual global railway industry trade exhibition and the largest event of its type, is offering discounted tickets to North American attendees.
HNTB hires Positive Train Control expert Aaron Marx
Aaron Marx joined HNTB Corporation as project manager, Positive Train Control systems. He is a technical resource for the firm and works with public- and private-sector clients across the United States.
Commentary
PTC, legacy train control and vitality
Steve Ditmeyer’s article “PTC vs. Legacy Train Control Redux” is very thought-provoking. Yes, Congress did define PTC by functionality, not technology. No, PTC need not be tied to fixed wayside block signals (interlockings are a whole other issue).
RSSI hosts 1,550 in Grapevine
The Railway Systems Suppliers Inc. 56th Annual C&S Exhibition at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine, Tex., in late June 2016 attracted more than 1,550 rail and transit customers, suppliers and guests.
Commentary
It can’t happen over there
I’ve lost count of the times I’ve heard or read or been told how much safer rail transportation is in Europe than it is in the United States.
PTC vs. Legacy Train Control Redux
The title of Larry Light’s “PTC vs. Legacy Train Control” article in the June 2016 issue of Railway Age (full text follows this article) promised a balanced discussion of the differences between newer and older versions of train control. In reality, the article focused on why he believes that legacy train control systems need to be maintained.
Commentary
Labor’s not-so-smart gamble on FRA
News items: A convoy of self-driving trucks recently traversed Europe. Driverless trucks are undergoing public-road testing in California and Nevada. And Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx supports development of vehicles “that can drive themselves better than a human.” Baby boomers may be skeptical, but not digital-native millennials.