By Staff, June 9, 2016
San Jose, Calif.
Steve Zwart
Senior Director Solutions & Software
LILEE Systems
There is no doubt that all U.S. Class I railroads are thinking about the 2018 Positive Train Control (PTC) installation deadline recently defined by Congress. Massive infrastructure changes, technology development and product testing are just some of the challenge facing railroads that need to install PTC across more than 70,000 miles of track. With so many logistical roadblocks facing railroads, meeting the upcoming deadline might seem improbable.
PTC solutions were essentially nonexistent prior to 2008 when Congress passed a law requiring railroads to install PTC on Class I mainlines and some other railroads. The new law meant that the rail industry had to design new solutions and update existing architecture to meet Federal Railroad Administration requirements in a short timeframe. Starting from scratch, engineers and architects had to design, develop and test new PTC products that met the new regulations. Products had to be integrated into a larger railway system, while ensuring the system remained functioning and maintainable.
