Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

Combining respective expertise with Lilee Systems in advanced communications systems and rail signaling technologies, the two companies have developed an Interoperable Train Control solution that for the first time offers the industry a Wayside Interface Unit with Systems Management Agent functionality.

Representatives from government, industry, academia and labor will serve as panelists during the forum and discuss safety, regulatory and technology issues surrounding PTC, which is designed to keep trains separated and prevent collisions.

In a letter to FCC Chairman Genachowski, the transportation leaders ask the FCC to allow for due diligence by ensuring that any timelines contained in a proposed rulemaking relating to the 5.9 GHz band are consistent with the NTIA schedule for completing its quantitative evaluation and issuing final recommendations.

The "Positive Train Control: Is it on Track?" forum will be held in the NTSB Conference Center in Washington, D.C., and is free and open to the public. A detailed agenda and a list of speakers are forthcoming.

North County Transit District is adding the system to all COASTER trains, along the wayside, and in the control office. The Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 requires fully functional PTC systems to be in place on railroads, such as the COASTER, by December 31, 2015.

Adopted was a $193.9 million operating budget, a $64.3 million capital budget and $16.2 million to fund interlocal agreements and other expenses.

Hosted executive representatives from Class-1 freight railroads, commuter lines and the FRA for live demonstrations of the Trainguard PTC technology from July to September 2012 at the Transportation Technology Center near Pueblo, Colo.

Unveiled its $200-million crash prevention project for an NTSB official. The agency plans to install PTC on its commuter rail network by December 2013, two years ahead of a federal requirement for nationwide deployment.

Installation of an advanced signal system is a component of the $1.5 billion Caltrain Modernization Program and includes Positive Train Control technology.

Several units will provide the equipment for the cars: Wabtec Passenger Transit (brakes and couplers), Wabtec Railway Electronics (PTC equipment), Bach-Simpson (event recorders) and Vapor Stone (doors).