FTA awards cooperative agreement to Delcan

Delcan, a multi-disciplinary engineering, planning, management and technology firm, has been awarded a cooperative agreement from the Federal Transit Administration to evaluate the implementation of Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) on heavy and light-rail transit systems. This study is part of the FTA's efforts to promote the research and development of new technologies that will improve the safety and efficiency of rail transit system operation in the United States. The primary objective of this research study is to assess the benefits of CBTC technology and determine the ability of CBTC to replace the functionality provided by track circuits in conventional rail signaling systems. CBTC is the latest development of train control technology and can be implemented in a variety of forms, across various transit modes. CBTC technology can automate train protection, operation and supervision by determining the location of trains, safely separating trains and performing a range of train control and train management functions. "We are excited to collaborate with the FTA on this important study and look forward to increasing the benefits for heavy and light rail systems by investing in CBTC," said Dr. Alan Rumsey, P.Eng., Delcan's vice president rail and transit systems.