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Yesterday, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announced new Positive Train Control (PTC) system standards in an effort to accelerate the implementation of train collision-prevention technology.

The first revision of federal signal and train-control regulations since 1984, the standards establish minimum performance requirements, requiring PTC systems to meet or exceed conventional wayside signal systems' safety level.
Entitled "Final Rule for Standards for Development and Use of Processor Based Signal and Train-Control Systems," the standards also require railroads to deploy PTC systems that are compatible with one another, notify the FRA prior to installing PTC components, provide adequate employee training and improve record-keeping.

"The safety benefits of PTC technology are real and its accelerated implementation holds the promise of reducing certain types of railroad accidents," said FRA Acting Administrator Robert Jamison in a prepared statement.

Currently, the FRA and several railroads are testing different PTC systems — which are designed to automatically control train movements and speed — with varied applications and functionality. Suppliers also are developing systems that would provide motorists advance warning of a train approaching a grade crossing.