California State Rail Plan 2005-06 to 2015-16

Chapter XIX – New Technology
CHAPTER XIX
NEW TECHNOLOGY
GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM APPLICATIONS
Small, low-cost global positioning system (GPS) devices allow tracking of
equipment and personnel with a great degree of precision. The GPS is being
adapted to transit use and is an integral part of positive train control systems (PTC)
now being tested (see PTC discussion below). The GPS technology can be used to
monitor engines, work equipment, and service vehicles, and enable rapid dispatch
of safety or maintenance vehicles to a specific location. For example, high-tech
refrigerated boxcars equipped with GPS provide precise real-time location
information. Along with a satellite communications system, these boxcars allow
the railroad to remotely monitor and control their on board refrigeration
equipment.
POSITIVE TRAIN CONTROL
New technologies for tracking and controlling train movements are being tested by
Class I carriers in association with the FRA, Association of American Railroads
(AAR), Amtrak, and state transportation agencies. Nomenclature includes
communications-based train control (CBTC), communications-based train
management (CBTM), positive train separation (PTS), and positive train control
(PTC). The PTC seems to be a generic term most often employed to describe the
developing technology.
The PTC systems permit faster overall train operation with both closer headways
and increased safety. The PTC improves on today’s Centralized Traffic Control
(CTC) systems 35 by utilizing GPS technology to locate trains with much greater
levels of precision. It can be supplemented by computer-aided dispatching to
forecast optimal train movements.
Typical features of the various systems under development include:
• GPS tracking of train movements.
• Wireless data transmission network.
• On board computers to receive and process data.
35 Centralized Traffic Control is a technology used on most main lines whereby track switches and signals are
remotely controlled by dispatchers working in a centralized location. Train movements are governed by the
signals, supplemented by radio instructions.
215