According to updated analyses done by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), the commuter rail industry is making significant progress on implementing positive train control (PTC) and is on schedule to meet the congressional deadlines.
According to APTA, 22% of the 5000 km are either in service or in full PTC demonstration awaiting Federal Railroad Administration approvals; 27% of the 3,400 locomotives and cab cars are installed with PTC hardware; 9% of commuter rail agencies are expected to be 100% PTC equipped by the end of 2016.
The delivery of PTC is requiring the development of safety critical software, installations on 5000 km of track; 3,400 locomotives; 1,000 radio towers; and training more than 13,000 employees.
PTC implementation is expected to cost the commuter rail industry more than USD 3.5 billion in capital expenditure, which includes over USD 16 million in spectrum acquisition, as well as USD 100 million annually in additional maintenance costs. As of October 2016, spending by the commuter railroads is estimated to be more than USD 1.5 billion.
Share on:
