Amtrak Positive Train Control on fast track

February 14, 2001 Amtrak is moving ahead aggressively to expand and build out its existing and proven train collision prevention safety technology-commonly known as Positive Train Control-to cover all of the tracks it owns along the Northeast Corridor and on its Michigan Line by the end of 2012, three years ahead of a federal deadline.

"Amtrak has long been a
leader in the development and operation of PTC safety technology and we are
extending it to cover all of the tracks we own," said President and CEO Joseph
Boardman, noting federal law requires PTC on most tracks where passenger trains
operate by the end of 2015.

PTC technology can
control train movements to prevent train-to-train collisions, derailments
caused by excessive speed and certain human-caused incidents such as misaligned
track switches. It can also protect roadway workers by slowing or stopping
trains from entering work zones.

To accomplish the
self-imposed and accelerated timeline, Boardman said America’s passenger
railroad is moving forward on a number of fronts. Amtrak will submit a PTC
Implementation Plan to the Federal Railroad Administration by April 16 as
required by law, is now designing the build out of its existing PTC system
along the NEC, and will begin to expand the PTC system on all of its Michigan
Line in 2010. In addition, Amtrak has established a new Deputy Chief Engineer
position responsible for PTC implementation and other special projects.

Amtrak also is working
with freight and commuter railroads that operate on Amtrak-owned tracks as well
as with the host railroads on whose tracks Amtrak trains operate to ensure PTC
systems being deployed across the country are interoperable. Interoperability
is essential to maintain safety as freight and passenger trains pass from one
PTC system to another.

Boardman explained Amtrak
currently has two PTC systems that have been successfully operated for years.
The Advanced Civil Speed Enforcement System (ACSES) is installed on many
sections of track along the NEC between Washington, D.C. and Boston and will be
built out so all remaining Amtrak-owned sections are equipped with it. Also,
Amtrak is working with its partners that own other portions of the NEC to
assist them with their PTC plans so they are compatible with ACSES.

The Incremental Train
Control System is currently installed on most of the Amtrak-owned Michigan Line
between Kalamazoo, Mich., and Porter, Ind. In 2010, ITCS will be installed on
the last two remaining sections of track located on the western and eastern ends
of the line between New Buffalo, Mich., and Porter, Ind., and between Oshtemo
and Kalamazoo.