FRA proposes changes to PTC reporting requirements

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has proposed revising regulations that govern changes to positive train control (PTC) systems and reporting on PTC functioning.

FRA officials want to modify the process by which a host railroad must submit a request for amendment (RFA) to the FRA before making certain changes to the railroad's PTC Safety Plan and FRA-certified PTC system. The proposed modification recognizes that the railroad industry intends to enhance PTC systems to continue to improve safety, according to the FRA's notice of proposed rulemaking published last week in the Federal Register.

FRA officials also seek to expand an existing reporting requirement by increasing the frequency from annual to biannual; broaden the reporting requirement to encompass positive performance-related information, not just failure-related information; and require host railroads to use a new standardized biannual report on PTC system performance.

"Overall, the proposed amendments would benefit the railroad industry, the public and FRA by reducing unnecessary costs, facilitating innovation and improving FRA's ability to oversee PTC system performance and reliability, while not negatively affecting rail safety," the FRA's notice states.

Written comments on the proposed changes are due Feb. 16.