PATH gains FRA certification of PTC system

The PATH rail system has gained certification from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) that its system-wide signal upgrade has met the federal regulatory requirements for Positive Train Control (PTC). The FRA's certification of the safety overlay system comes ahead of the Dec. 31 deadline to have the technology installed. 

“A system for which safety has always been the top priority is now even safer,” said Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) Executive Director Rick Cotton. “This is an important moment in PATH’s commitment to provide the highest level of safety to the riding public, and we thank all riders for their patience as PATH has installed this critical technology.”

The PTC signal system is now operational on all PATH lines following service outages and weekend work that took place between early June and the end of October to complete the process of installing and testing the equipment and software. 

The system provides provides automatic emergency braking capabilities on each line to prevent accidents such as train-to-train collisions and derailments caused by excessive speed. PTC was mandated by Congress in 2008 following a fatal accident in California between a Metrolink passenger train and freight train.  

PANYNJ says that PATH is the first railroad system in the region to meet the PTC requirements by the federal deadline. FRA certification follows extensive testing and review by the federal oversight agency and affirms PATH and the PANYNJ's compliance with all technical and operational elements of the PTC mandate. 

“The Port Authority and PATH have worked diligently to ensure that we continue to provide exceptional safety and security for all of our customers,” said PANYNJ Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “What this will mean in the long term is a safer passenger experience for PATH riders that meets the most rigorous federal safety standards.”

The implementation of PTC to improve train safety and passenger security is just one piece of a larger, more comprehensive system PATH is building to enhance passenger safety and convenience and improve the customer experience. PATH is working to install Communication Based Train Control (CBTC) of which PTC is one component in a more comprehensive signal system being installed to replace a fixed-block system. CBTC calculates and communicates a train’s exact position, speed, travel direction and safe braking distance.

PANYNJ explains that ws installation of CBTC continues, regular software updates and patches required by the new technology will enable PATH to continue to fine-tune the new system. When completed, trains will be capable of running more frequently and closer together, a key component in future plans to increase rush-hour service on PATH and reduce car and platform congestion.