Commentary

Expect the unexpected

In an ideal world, human beings would never make mistakes and equipment and systems would never fail. Unfortunately we don’t live in utopia, as the spate of serious railway accidents during the last few weeks in France, Spain, and Canada reminds us all too vividly.

TÜV Rheinland lands Alaska Railroad PTC work

TÜV Rheinland Mobility said Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2013, that its Rail Safety Consulting division has been awarded the second portion of a two-part consulting contract by the Alaska Railroad Corp. (ARRC) involving PTC deployment.

SYSTRA: Investments, improvements for RAILSIM®

SYSTRA is taking significant actions to further develop RAILSIM®, what it calls “the rail industry’s leading rail operations analysis and simulation software.” These initiatives are designed “to better meet the needs of rail and transit system clients seeking accurate information for operating and design decision making.”

STB adopts final PTC expenses and investments reporting rules

On Aug. 14, 2013, the Surface Transportation Board adopted final rules for the reporting of positive train control (PTC) expenses and investments for Class I railroads.

Rethinking railroad safety and efficiency

An innovative project on Egyptian National Railways is an example of how small railroads can install PTC at a low cost.

Wabtec to provide PTC for Coaster

Wabtec Corp. has signed a $9 million contract with Herzog Technologies Inc. to provide Positive Train Control (PTC) equipment and services for Oceanside, Calif.’s North County Transit District (NCTD). The contract includes an option worth an additional $5 million.

AAR to Senate panel: PTC deadline unrealistic. Here’s why

Association of American Railroads President and CEO Edward R. Hamberger on Wednesday, June 19, 2013 told a Senate Commerce Committee panel that, despite investments of roughly $2.8 billion since 2008 on implementing positive train control (PTC) to meet the Rail Safety Improvement Act deadline of Dec. 31, 2015, the freight railroads have determined it will not be possible to have a fully interoperable nationwide PTC system up and running by that time.

Court dismisses chemical industry rail safety suit

The U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C. has turned aside a challenge by chemical makers to a Federal Railroad Administration regulation involving the safety of chemical shipments and by rail, including in relationship to implementing Positive Train Control (PTC).

SYSTRA improves RAILSIM® capabilities for ASCES modeling

SYSTRA has implemented enhancements to its RAILSIM® modeling program for the Advanced Civil Speed Enforcement System (ACSES) Positive Train Control (PTC) system. ACSES is the overlay PTC technology utilized on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor.

Siemens finalizes Invensys Rail acquisition, names Paljug to top post

Siemens Rail Automation, which is part of the company’s Mobility and Logistics Division-Infrastructure & Cities Sector, has completed its acquisition of Invensys Rail, “expanding the company’s footprint in the global rail automation market and strengthening its technology offerings, including Positive Train Control,” Siemens said.
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