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

Transit Leaders Gather for National Safety Summit
Security and Safetyby Alex RomanSeptember 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 →
DART's light rail station at 8th and Corinth
Security and Safetyby Alex RomanSeptember 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 →
RTD Launches All-in-One NextRide App
Technologyby Alex RomanAugust 26, 2026

RTD Launches NextRide App to Consolidate Trip Planning, Fares, Security Reporting

The app expands on RTD’s existing NextRide web application and allows customers to view real-time vehicle locations and service alerts, purchase and store digital fares, and access customer support.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A blue and white graphic with technician hands working on an engine and text reading "TAPTCO Updates OSHA Compliance Training for Transit Maintenance."
Security and Safetyby Elora HaynesAugust 25, 2026

TAPTCO Updates OSHA Compliance Training for Transit Maintenance Operations

The revamped program addresses 26 OSHA standards for maintenance facilities, with TAPTCO pointing to training, documentation, and everyday shop hazards as continuing challenges for transit operations.

Read More →
An image of a doorway on a public transit vehicle with a yellow outline overlay.
SponsoredAugust 18, 2026

How VaporVision Adds Value to Transit Door Systems

Wabtec engineers explain how the system improves doorway detection, strengthens diagnostics and gives transit agencies and OEMs greater operating flexibility.

Read More →
An Amtrak Cascades Airo Trainset at a station.
Railby Alex RomanAugust 14, 2026

FRA Announces $5.3B in Rail Investments, Including $2B for Amtrak

Funding will support grade-crossing improvements, infrastructure upgrades, and new Amtrak equipment in 23 states.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Layered Safety Strategies Take Hold in Chicago and Maryland
Security and Safetyby Alex RomanAugust 13, 2026

Chicago, Maryland Expand Non-Law-Enforcement Safety, Rider Support

The CTA and MTA are launching new programs aimed at de-escalation, crisis response, rider assistance, and greater transparency.

Read More →
AI Powers Bus Lane Enforcement
Technologyby Alex RomanAugust 12, 2026

LA Metro, City of West Hollywood, and Partners Advance Smarter Bus Lane Enforcement

The award-winning partnership combines AI-powered detection with human oversight to improve bus reliability, accessibility, and enforcement efficiency.

Read More →
A man speaks with two Los Angeles Metro Ambassadors.
Security and Safetyby Elora HaynesAugust 4, 2026

LA Metro Reports 57% Decline in Homelessness on Transit System Since 2024

The agency's latest homelessness count offers new data on how care-based services and cross-sector partnerships can complement traditional transit security strategies.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
An image of the white house with text overlayed reading "FTA Launches Transit Performance Dashboard."
Security and Safetyby Elora HaynesJuly 24, 2026

FTA Launches 'Transit Moves America' Dashboard to Highlight Agency Safety and Performance

The online dashboard transforms National Transit Database information into a public-facing resource that allows users to compare transit agencies on key operational and safety metrics.

Read More →