Siemens developed Trainguard PTC, a new train control system that works to prevent train accidents caused by human errors such as overspeed conditions or overrunning red signals.
The Siemens PTC team in New York developed Trainguard PTC specifically for the North American market and in accordance with the Rail Safety Improvement Act. Trainguard PTC offers U.S. railroads a new solution for achieving mandatory PTC implementation by December 2015.
Siemens conducted a field test campaign from July to September 2012 at the Transportation Technology Center near Pueblo, Colo. to validate the products’ functionalities. Siemens hosted executive representatives from Class-1 freight railroads, commuter lines and the Federal Railroad Administration for live demonstrations of the Trainguard PTC technology.
The visitors witnessed various test scenarios including one of the core functionalities of Trainguard PTC where it automatically stops a freight train close to a red signal or under overspeed conditions without any driver intervention.
Additional test scenarios showed further Trainguard PTC capabilities including restrictive brake enforcement while creeping towards a red signal and precise, GPS-based train location determination.
Many customers have expressed interest in Trainguard PTC and, in turn, Siemens has intensified discussions with various U.S. railroads in order to develop a partnership for an initial pilot project. This will facilitate the roll-out of Trainguard PTC and support Siemens’ customers in fulfilling the PTC mandate in time to increase the safety of America's railroads.