Positive Train Control

(PTC) Fact Sheet

What is PTC?
PTC is technology that can prevent train-to-train collisions, derailments due to
excessive speeds, and casualties or injuries to roadway workers. Federal legislation
passed in 2008 mandates that PTC systems 1) prevent train-to-train collisions,
2) prevent over- speed derailments by enforcing speed limits, 3) prevent unauthorized
incursions by trains into established work zones, and 4) prevent movement of a train
through a switch left in the wrong position. Moreover, legislation requires that PTC
systems are interoperable with all railroad operators on each corridor.

Has NCTD implemented PTC? If so, where?

NCTD has achieved full implementation of the federally-mandated Positive Train Control (PTC) safety system for 58.5 miles of track it
controls within the San Diego County portion of the Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo Rail Corridor (LOSSAN).

What was the PTC implementation timeline for NCTD?

On September 21, 2018, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) provided conditional approval of NCTD’s PTC Safety Plan and
conditionally certified the PTC system. At that time, NCTD was one of only ten railroads in the nation to receive this conditional
approval. The Safety Plan demonstrated to the FRA that NCTD’s PTC system met federal requirements and worked as designed.
FRA’s conditional approval of this Safety Plan and PTC system enabled NCTD to begin interoperability testing with Metrolink, Amtrak,
BNSF, and Pacific Sun Railroad to validate successful integration with NCTD’s system. Metrolink successfully completed testing and
began Interoperable Revenue Service Operation (RSO) on October 31, 2018, followed by Amtrak which began RSO on November
7, 2018. BNSF Railway completed testing and started RSO on December 5, 2018, followed by Pacific Sun Railroad which completed
testing and commenced RSO on December 27, 2018.

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On December 27, 2018, NCTD notified the FRA it had achieved full implementation of
PTC based on its completion of testing to demonstrate interoperability between NCTD’s
PTC system and all passenger and freight trains operating within the San Diego portion
PTC Timeline
of the LOSSAN rail corridor. As of December 31, 2018, all trains operating on the NCTD
August 2011
San Diego subdivision are operating with PTC protection.
NCTD is one of only four railroads in the country to fully implement PTC without needing a
2011 Positive Train Control (PTC) project
begins with the selection of the
deadline extension beyond 2018.
vendor, Herzog Technologies, Inc.
How does PTC work? Fiber optic network is installed
along the entire San Diego
PTC uses digital communications systems, global positioning system (GPS) technology,
subdivision.
and on-board computers with track databases to continuously monitor train location and
speed. PTC is integrated with railroad dispatching systems to manage train traffic. Unlike
reactive systems such as the automatic train stop system currently in place on the LOSSAN 2017 July 5, 2017
PTC system moved to Revenue
corridor, PTC is a proactive system of signal enforcement that stops a train before a
Service Demonstration (RSD)—
potential collision or accident occurs.
live testing of the system—on
Components of NCTD’s PTC System active trains.
NCTD’s PTC system (pictured on previous page) contains the following components: September 5, 2017
Back office server (BOS): The BOS system is the storehouse for the speed restriction, Safety Plan is submitted to the
track geometry, and wayside signaling configuration databases. FRA and NCTD receives Conditional
Onboard system: The onboard system displays train operations information and is Certification of the PTC system
a combination of software and hardware that monitors and controls train movement if which also includes conditional
the engineer fails to respond appropriately in the operation of the train. The database approval of the Safety Plan.
information contained in the BOS is used to calculate the safe braking distance, which is the
minimum braking distance needed ahead of target stopping locations. December 1, 2017
RSD is complete.
Wayside signal system: The existing wayside signal system houses the signal
equipment, which is tied into the dispatching system and switches that activate the red,
green, and yellow signals the engineer uses in the operation of the train. Wayside interface 2018 September 22, 2018
NCTD enters PTC Revenue Service
units (WIUs), PTC radios, and global positioning system (GPS) antennas must be installed
Operations.
along with hardware and software integrating the wayside signal system with the PTC
System. The WIUs and PTC radios allow the wayside signal system to communicate with the October 31, 2018
BOS and onboard systems, which allows PTC to stop the train in the event of human error.
Interoperable Revenue Service
Communication network component: The communication network component is a begins with Metrolink.
redundant system consisting of base station radios, a fiber optic network, and a wireless
communication network to connect components such as the locomotive and cab car, back November 7, 2018
office server and base stations, and wayside interface unit. Amtrak begins PTC Revenue
Computer-aided dispatching (CAD) system: The CAD system interacts with the Service Operations on the San
PTC BOS system to enforce a train’s authorization to occupy designated segments of Diego subdivision.
track. Employees responsible for the protection and safety of workers performing work
on or near the tracks have December 5, 2018
Description Total Funding the ability to remotely BNSF begins PTC Revenue Service
communicate with the CAD Operations.
Federal Section 5307 Formula Funds $7,658,502 system and the train engineer,
FRA $24,900,000 via the train’s onboard system, December 27, 2018
to notify the train engineer of Pacific Sun begins PTC Revenue
Prop 1A - Discretionary $24,010,000
approaching work zones. Service Operations and NCTD
Prop 1A - Formula $17,833,000 sends full implementation letter
Prop 1B - PTMISEA $1,302,585 to the FRA.
Prop 1B - TSGP $5,757,164
Additional Information December 31, 2018
Other State / Local Funding $3,641,402
For additional information on FRA acknowledges receipt
TDA Article 4.0 $1,190,316 of NCTD’s letter for full
NCTD’s PTC implementation,
TransNet Major Corridor $1,000,000 please email [email protected]. implementation of the PTC.
Total $87,292,969
7/2/2019

810 Mission Avenue, Oceanside, CA 92054 | (760) 966-6500 | GoNCTD.com