With a year-end deadline approaching, reports indicate progress by agencies and optimism that vulnerable systems will meet this year’s requirements.
Commuter rail systems are facing a December 31 deadline to put into place parts of positive train control (PTC) safety features, mandates stipulated by Congress in the 2008 Rail Safety Improvement Act. Paul Skoutelas of the American Public Transportation Association recently told reporters that rail systems had made progress in the last quarter, and he is optimistic that this progress would continue.
“Earlier this year, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) sent letters to several commuter rail systems it felt were in danger of missing this year's deadline, but Skoutelas said he is confident in every agency’s ability to meet the FRA’s requirements,” reports Chris Teale. Skoutelas, however, did acknowledge that agencies are facing challenges related to the cost of implementing the safety measures as well as the limited number of PTC technology vendors.
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