Denver Train Problems Caused by Tall Buildings: RTD

The A and G Lines use GPS for their crossing gates, they claim that a new software patch and other improvements would resolve those issues and put the G line on schedule.

1 minute read

December 20, 2018, 8:00 AM PST

By Casey Brazeal @northandclark


RTD Train

RTD

Denver's crossing gates have caused a series of headaches for the city’s transit system. Now the Regional Transportation District (RTD) says the problem is tied to blocked GPS signals. “The document said Denver’s rising skyline around Union Station regularly blocks GPS signals the system relies on to keep the University of Colorado A-Line running smoothly and safely,” John Aguilar writes for the Denver Post. RTD says they have a software patch to fix this issue that they can put into place quickly if the plan is approved at the federal level. “RTD says it is ready to open the long-delayed G-Line to Denver’s western suburbs in the first quarter of 2019 if the Federal Railroad Administration accepts its action plan,” Aguilar reports.

The use of GPS also features in the federally mandated safety feature known as positive train control (PTC). While operators do not currently need to employ PTC, the due date is coming up. RTD officials say they will be ready. Some observers have pointed out that many of the transit systems around the world are in cities with more tall buildings than Denver, without experiencing similar issues.

Monday, December 17, 2018 in The Denver Post

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

A pencil rendering of Foundry Park, which shows skyscrapers and public green spaces.

Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment

The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.

October 23, 2026 - Chicago Sun Times

A rendering of a high speed rain station in California, with wide platforms and a sleep train with yellow highlights.

California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO resigns after $600,000 scandal

Under Ian Choudri, the authority used taxpayer dollars to fund first class flights and trips to nightclubs.

October 30 - Cal Matters

 A bridge stretches across the Missouri River at Chamberlain, South Dakota.

Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states

Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.

October 30 - South Dakota Searchlight

Lake Powell with much of the water evaporated.

Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River

Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.

October 30 - Yale Environment 360