METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

NJ TRANSIT reaches major PTC milestone

The achievement means agency can apply for an alternative schedule to have PTC fully operational by the end of 2020.

December 18, 2018
NJ TRANSIT reaches major PTC milestone

The achievement means NJ TRANSIT can apply for an alternative schedule to have PTC fully operational by the end of 2020.

Adam E. Moreira

2 min to read


The achievement means NJ TRANSIT can apply for an alternative schedule to have PTC fully operational by the end of 2020.

Adam E. Moreira

NJ TRANSIT marked 100% completion of the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) 2018 year-end milestone for Positive Train Control (PTC).

Criteria for this requirement included installation of equipment on locomotives and cab control cars, installation of 326 miles of wayside equipment including radios, transponders, and poles, as well as initiating PTC testing and employee training.

Ad Loading...

The achievement means NJ TRANSIT can apply for an alternative schedule to have PTC fully operational by the end of 2020.

As part of the FRA approved schedule for implementing PTC, NJ TRANSIT was required to complete the following hardware installations by December 31, 2018:

Equipment InstallationFRA 12/31/18 RequirementNJ TRANSIT Completed Locomotives and Cab Cars 282 282       326 Miles of Wayside Infrastructure     Poles 112 112 Antennas 112 112 Wayside Interface Units 120 120       Training     Employee Training 823 823


  • Throughout the course of 2019 and 2020, NJ TRANSIT will continue to install PTC equipment as it continues to restore the ranks of locomotive engineers.

  • PTC equipment will be installed on the remaining 158 locomotives and cab cars bringing the total number of vehicle installations to 440 by Dec. 31, 2020. NJ TRANSIT will complete training of the remaining 985 employees bringing its total number of PTC trained employees to 2,730.

  • Field testing will continue to demonstrate system reliability before advancing PTC testing to revenue service demonstration, interoperability, and tenant railroad testing and full FRA PTC certification.

  • Full PTC system implementation will occur by Dec. 31, 2020.

More Security and Safety

LADOT Launches Bus-Mounted Camera Enforcement
Security and Safety•by Alex Roman•October 29, 2026

LADOT to Launch Bus-Mounted Camera Enforcement on DASH Buses

The program will begin with a 60-day warning period before citations are issued in January 2027, joining similar efforts across Southern California to improve bus reliability, safety, and accessibility.

Read More →
An A line MTA subway car near the soon to be replaced signaling system.
Rail•by Staff and News Reports•October 23, 2026

New York MTA Launches Historic $1.9B Signal, Track Modernization Project

Funded in part by congestion pricing revenue, the project will replace nearly century-old signals along the A and C lines in Brooklyn and Queens.

Read More →
New Standard Helps Transit Agencies Address Climate Risks
Security and Safety•by Alex Roman•October 19, 2026

CSA Group Releases Climate Resilience Standard for Transit, Passenger Rail

Developed with support from the Standards Council of Canada, CSA D700 guides assessing climate-related risks and planning adaptation measures for transit and passenger rail systems.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A San Diego MTS Copper Line vehicle
Security and Safety•by Alex Roman•October 16, 2026

San Diego MTS Approves New Fare Evasion Penalty Program

The new administrative process will move eligible violations out of the criminal court system, cap penalties at $125, and provide flexible payment options for riders.

Read More →

RTC of Southern Nevada Reports 29% Drop in Transit Operator Assaults

The agency credits expanded security measures, employee training, and technology investments for improvements in transit safety, while security officers have responded to 19 suspected overdoses since July.

Read More →
Help Shape the 2027 Public Transit Conference
Management•by Alex Roman•September 29, 2026

Public Transit Conference Returning to GFX in 2027, Call for Papers Now Open

The Call for Papers is now open, allowing transit agency professionals and industry experts to help shape the PTC educational program by submitting session ideas for consideration.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Graphic showing the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., with the headline “Safe Transit Act Proposes New Security Rules for Funding” and the METRO Magazine logo.
Security and Safety•by Elora Haynes•September 28, 2026

Safe Transit Act Proposes New Security Requirements for Federal Transit Funding

Proposed legislation would link federal transit dollars to safety measures while requiring security investments, onboard cameras, and new fare collection standards.

Read More →
Two MBTA railcars in station.

FTA Ends Direct Oversight of MBTA Safety Actions

The federal agency closed its remaining special directive to the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities following a safety review that began in 2022.

Read More →
Transit Leaders Gather for National Safety Summit
Security and Safety•by Alex Roman•September 16, 2026

Transit Agencies Highlight Safety Gains at National Summit

Leaders from 15 major transit systems shared crime-reduction results and safety initiatives while discussing the role of continued federal support.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
DART's light rail station at 8th and Corinth
Security and Safety•by Alex Roman•September 10, 2026

DART Launches Major Security, Fare Enforcement Initiative

The 90-day demonstration will deploy coordinated security teams at five light rail stations while testing controlled access and gathering data to guide future investments.

Read More →