PTC Starts to Roll Out Across the USA

This article relates how Positive Train Control (PTC) has gained significant momentum in the U.S. Four Class I railroads (BNSF, CSX, Norfolk Southern, and Union Pacific), as well as Amtrak, are pursuing PTC systems. The advantages in using PTC include improved safety, lower operational costs, improved service, and increased network capacity. The various systems perform functions such as enforcing authority limits and speed restrictions, monitoring point position, interfacing with rail detection systems, and providing train location tracking. PTC systems also deliver safety critical information to the locomotive cab, and this information, when merged with the train’s GPS-provided location, enables automatic braking to be initiated if necessary. The use of GPS in determining a train’s location also eliminates the need for track transponders. The article details and compares the capabilities of the different PTC systems being used. They include Union Pacific’s Communications Based Train Control (CBTC), CSX’s Communications Based Train Management (CBTM); BNSF’s Electronic Train Management System (ETMS), Amtrak’s Incremental Train Control System (ITCS) and Norfolk Southern’s Optimized Train Control (OTC).