SEPTA to kick off PTC operations April 18

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) on April 18 will begin revenue service operation of its positive train control (PTC) system on the Warminster commuter-rail route.

One of SEPTA's Regional Rail cars
Photo: SEPTA

Next week's rollout of the technology will make SEPTA the first commuter railroad operator in the United States to implement the advanced civil speed enforcement system (ACSES) as a PTC-compliant system, agency officials said in an April 7 PTC update.

In February 2014, Metrolink became the first commuter railroad to implement an I-ETMS®-based PTC system.

To fully prepare for the launch, SEPTA will operate shuttle buses in place of Warminster Line service on April 17. This will allow crews to conduct one last round of checks and testing of the PTC system and the agency's rail equipment, SEPTA officials said.

The news follows the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) written authorization to commence provisional revenue service operations for the system.

"Getting to this point has taken an extensive and intensive period of testing to ensure that every aspect of the system meets the guidelines established by the FRA and our own reliability requirements for this critical safety system," SEPTA officials said in the update.

SEPTA will continue to work with Amtrak regarding the operations of trains on PTC-equipped lines.