Witnesses (click here) testified at a hearing on the status of positive train control (PTC) implementation on U.S. railroad networks by the December 31, 2015, deadline. PTC describes the technologies designed to automatically stop or slow down a train to prevent certain types of accidents.
The only rail service that will be ready with PTC is Metrolink.
June 24, 2015
LOS ANGELES – Metrolink launched Positive Train Control (PTC) in Revenue Service Demonstration (RSD) across the entire 341-mile network the agency owns earlier this month. With this latest accomplishment, Metrolink becomes the first railroad in the nation to have PTC running during regular service on all of its hosted lines and remains on track to become the nation’s first passenger rail system to have a fully operational, interoperable, and certified PTC system in place.
There are plenty of problem, but, the one most pressing is the deadline and the idea fines begin and liability increases with that deadline. The deadline has to be more fluid. Ms. Feinberg has the public's safety concerns at the heart of her administration, but, she needs far more autonomy to solve the problems. Far more.
There is nothing wrong with oversight to be sure progress is being made beyond the end of year deadline.
The railroad companies are varied throughout the country. The Metrolink deserves congratulations, but, the fact there is 341 miles to this system speaks to the inability of others to meet the December 31, 2015. The companies have been working hard to get this system installed, but, the it is not their fault they are missing the deadline.
We can begin by stating PTC or Positive Train Control is not a simple program that is solved by simple installation of an expensive system. This is a very complicated system. Ms. Feinberg knows how the system works, understands ALL THE COMPONENTS and she has her finger on available monies when needed to assist qualifying needs.
Within the panel is the public rail system of AMTRAK and the other end of the spectrum is CSX which is freight and completely privately funded. Both these rail systems are large systems with significant miles of track, etc.
The problems are hideous. Completely hideous and it is because Congress is too rigid. To begin the December 31, 2015 deadline was NEGOTIATED and not realistic from the beginning. This deadline is completely political to bring confidence to the public. Now that the deadline is here and there was a horrific accident at a curve without PTC this is now urgent.
Every company, including Metrolink is complaining about the lack of spectrum in order to have the system work. They have requested 200 - 220 MHz (megahertz). That particular spectrum is currently sold to other concerns. The FCC is stating in order to provide that particular spectrum the current owners would have to be provided with costs and unused lease amounts, which might be substantial if the FCC is unable to provide an agreeable and comparable spectrum. The FCC seems stymied because they don't have the funding to make the switch with the current owners. CSX has bought their own spectrum because the FCC was incapable of making any spectrum available.
CSX has stated the companies involved in providing the PTC equipment never meet their delivery dates and cause changes in staff when the equipment is not available. Additionally, when the equipment does arrive a significant amount has been returned because it was defective and/or broken. So, there is a huge quality control problem for CSX from their contractors. I suppose the contractors could be fined, but, that would be a separate meeting of the parties and a separate legislative agenda.
The language coming from Congress is horrible. It is based in limiting the time frame to completion and if that isn't met there will be large fines and increased liability for the companies and closures of rail services.
Congress is reacting to the deaths and accidents with the railroads. Rightfully so, but, to say the accidents and deaths were preventable because PTC was not installed is not correct. The prevention comes with installation and there are enormous problems that have not been the responsibility of the railroads. Seriously. The accidents could be preventable, but, that is when the installation and operation becomes realistic to the timeline for completion. Currently, the railroads have less liability because the deadline has not passed. The railroads will become completely disabled with any bad attitude by Congress and monetary fines serve no purpose at all. Every railroad representative in the panel states they are working as hard as they can to achieve completely system implementation, but, the entire network to completion is ungainly.
Currently, the railroads are beginning to be tied in knots by their lawyers.
The politics of this issue is completely horrible and causes a great deal of problems. These folks are very interested in having every life protected. I have no doubt about that. To demonstrate that, the spectrum has to be seamless across the boundaries of each railroad. They are completely cooperative with that requirement.
There is also software. CSX has found defects in the software. The company found it. Not the contractor. Now, CSX has to go back to the contractor and tell them what is wrong. I think the reason it is going back to the contractor is because there are other rail companies that have to be compliant as well. At this point if CSX has the method to develop the best software they should be commissioned to do it. I'd even commission CSX to develop the equipment and produce it for all the rail companies so the system is identical and seamless in all aspects.
AMTRAK's funding is designed to make it fail. Just that simple. AMTRAK has bridges they are replacing dated from the 1800s. AMTRAK is stating a conservative estimate for completion of PTC is $350 million. CSX has $1.2 billion already invested and it is not nearly completed. CSX is looking at a timeline for completion in 2018 and fully operational in 2020.
The infrastructure monies have to be appropriated. That is where the public's rage belongs. The members of the panel are convenient scapegoats to any Congress that doesn't want to raise taxes or fully fund the implementation. Ms. Feinberg is very qualified to carry this responsibility, but, her hands are tied because of the law.
Oh, cute. Rep. Mica, whom's focus I didn't like is stated to be in the hospital. Drama queens. I swear. Get well soon, Rep. Mica. He should seek a different panel appointment.
I think there are some really nice and very competent people involved with the effort to complete this major national project. They should be respected and Congress needs to provide funding. Congress can blame themselves for the lack of oversight. This information about the problems the rails have been experiencing is not new information, but, it is new to Congress. Hello?
American lives are worth far, far more then $350 million.
