Caltrain awarded grant for positive train control system

Caltrain is one of 33 railroads throughout the country that has requested an extension from the Federal Railway Administration to install the system, and that request is currently in a 90-day review period — Caltrain submitted its request on Dec 14. The FRA has suspended its operations due to the partial government shutdown, but it could grant Caltrain a two-year extension to complete the project if its application meets the required criteria. 

“We did receive some initial feedback from the FRA on that request that was relatively moderate, which has us feeling good about the 90-day review period ultimately resulting in approval,” Caltrain’s Chief Operating Officer Michelle Bouchard said a meeting Jan. 10. “And during that review period, we’re legal, there’s no implication of violations or anything like that and the program is still moving forward.” 

Bouchard said Caltrain is still searching for another $4 million in grant funding for the project and appears confident the agency will get it.

“I truly believe the federal government is going to continue to try to help railroads get across the finish line so we’re going to be continuing to keep our ear to the ground for additional funding to fill that gap.”

As of the end of December, just four railroads throughout the country have implemented a FRA-certified PTC system and FRA has approved nine requests for an extension.

The PTC project will equip the corridor with enhanced safety features that will monitor train movements and, if necessary, intervene to reduce the possibility of safety risks caused by human error, said Caltrain spokesman Dan Lieberman.

Caltrain was one of many railroads to collectively see $46 million worth of grants doled out by FRA in December for PTC implementation.

Lieberman said Caltrain already secured enough funding for the PTC project, but the latest grant will help the railroad fund program support costs, any potential changes to the contract that could arise as well as configuration management work. 

While the PTC system likely won’t be fully functional until 2020, Lieberman said Caltrain has installed all PTC hardware, including both wayside and onboard equipment, acquired the necessary spectrum needed for implementation, completed all employee training and has begun testing the system.

Part of the delay is due to a dispute with Parsons Transportation Group, which was awarded the original contract by Caltrain years ago. Caltrain has since contracted Wabtec Railway Electronics for the job and is suing Parsons for $98 million because of delays. Parsons has also sued Caltrain and the lawsuits are pending.

zachary@smdailyjournal.com

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