FRA hosts PTC symposium on interoperability issues

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today is holding the second of three symposiums for the 41 railroads required to implement positive train control (PTC) systems.

Attending the symposium are railroad safety officials and the FRA's PTC experts. Today's event will focus on best practices for PTC system field and interoperability testing, FRA officials said in a press release.

"Interoperability is an important milestone for all railroads working to complete PTC implementation," said FRA Administrator Ronald Batory. "This symposium is to institute clarity on any and all questions associated with implementing PTC interoperability as set forth in the governing regulations."

The FRA's PTC regulations require a PTC system to be interoperable, which means that the locomotives of any host railroad and tenant railroad operating on the same main line will communicate with and respond to that PTC system, including uninterrupted movements over property boundaries.

Last month, the FRA held its first ever PTC symposium, which addressed industry questions and focused on the requirements for the Dec. 31 statutory deadline.

The final symposium, scheduled for Aug. 20, will cover lessons learned and best practices for PTC safety plans, which host railroads must have to obtain PTC system certification from the FRA and to achieve full PTC system implementation under the mandate.