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The Federal Communications Commission’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) is seeking comments from freight and passenger railroads, equipment manufacturers, railroad associations and other interested parties about radio spectrum issues related to positive train control (PTC) implementation.

Due June 20, the comments “will be instrumental in a commission determination of what future proceedings or actions, if any, might facilitate an effective, efficient and timely process for railroads to acquire spectrum to comply with [federal] PTC implementation requirements,” WTB officials said in a public notice. The bureau’s reply comments are due July 11.

A PTC system establishes a communications-based network linking trains to equipment along track and centralized office locations to provide information to a locomotive about authority to proceed at a particular speed. The networks include data radios to provide wireless communication between locomotives and wayside units along track. In addition, PTC systems must be interoperable to accommodate train movements over track owned by other railroads.

Some experts have indicated that the acquisition of adequate radio spectrum in the 220 MHz frequency range — especially in dense, metropolitan areas — could pose a challenge, WTB officials said. In light of the concerns, the bureau is seeking comments from stakeholders regarding the frequency bands and amount of spectrum needed to successfully implement PTC, they said.

“We recognize that any difficulties in meeting the spectrum needs for PTC are directly related to the geographic areas where PTC must be deployed and the current spectrum environment in those areas,” WTB officials said. “Thus, we seek comments on geographic areas where meeting the spectrum needs for PTC are likely to present the most challenges.”

In addition, the bureau is seeking comments addressing how the use of different frequencies and amounts of spectrum could affect a PTC system’s functionalities and components, which might differ depending upon the frequencies and amount of spectrum available; how aspects of various rail operations — such as train speed, the number of lines in a certain geographic area and amount of traffic on lines — affect the amount of spectrum or frequencies needed for successful implementation; and the spectrum coverage area needed by the rail industry for implementation.