FRA issues ruling on technology to prevent train collisions

Jul 27, 2009

Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood and Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph Szabo on July 16 issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (.pdf file) that aims to prevent train collisions through the use of Positive Train Control.

The notice outlines how railroads must use PTC systems to prevent train-to-train collisions, according to a Department of Transportation press release. PTC technology can automatically control train speeds and movements if a locomotive engineer fails to take appropriate action. PTC systems also can prevent over-speed derailments, misaligned switches and unauthorized incursions by trains into work zones, the release said.

The announcement came two days after the National Transportation Safety Board released findings from an investigation into a May 2008 Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Green Line crash in Newton that resulted in one death and seven injuries. The board concluded human fatigue and a lack of PTC were factors in the crash.

According to FRA, major freight railroads and intercity and commuter rail operators must submit their plans for PTC systems to the agency for approval by April 16, 2010; systems are required to be in place by the end of 2015.