Regulatory Risk Evaluation of Positive Train Control Systems

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark W. Hartong ◽  
Olga K. Cataldi
Keyword(s):  
Control Systems ◽  
Risk Evaluation ◽  
Risk Assessments ◽  
Performance Standard ◽  
Risk Modeling ◽  
Department Of Transportation ◽  
Train Control ◽  
Modeling Techniques ◽  
Positive Train Control ◽  
The U.S

In February of 2005, the Federal Railroad Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation issued a set of new performance-based regulations governing the development and use of microprocessor-based signal and train control systems. The new standard, effective March 2005, requires that replacement systems be at least as safe as the existing condition. Among the key elements used in evaluating the compliance of products to the new performance standard are quantitative and qualitative risk assessments. This paper explains the performance standard that must be followed, the regulatory background behind it, various quantitative and qualitative risk modeling techniques that can be used to support claims of compliance, and issues associated with their implementation.

Internet of Things (IoT)-Based Apparatus and Method for Rail Crossing Alerting of Static or Dynamic Rail Track Intrusions

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Minoli ◽  
Benedict Occhiogrosso
Keyword(s):  
Internet Of Things ◽  
Rail Track ◽  
Train Control ◽  
Positive Train Control ◽  
Grade Crossings ◽  
The U.S

This paper deals with Physical Safety and Security at rail crossings. There are about 150,000 public railroad grade crossings in the U.S. Unfortunately, approximately 2,000 accidents occur every year in the U.S., resulting not only in many injuries, but also in over 200 deaths annually. The predicament is that for various reasons, people, cars, and trucks find themselves on the rail tracks of an oncoming train at a railroad crossing. The system discussed in this paper provides a relatively inexpensive Internet of Things (IoT)-based capability that can be used to alert a rail operator that there is an obstruction on the tracks, and/or possibly to interwork with (but not replace) a Positive Train Control (PTC) system thus attempting to automatically stop an incoming train. In fact, IoT is now being deployed in railroads for a variety of applications. A brief description of cybersecurity issues related to IoT deployment is also included.

Positive Train Control and the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Hartong ◽  
Rajni Goel ◽  
Duminda Wijesekera
Keyword(s):  
Control Systems ◽  
Traffic Control ◽  
High Profile ◽  
Train Control ◽  
Safety Regulations ◽  
Safety Improvement ◽  
Union Pacific ◽  
The Us ◽  
Positive Train Control ◽  
Track Circuits

A series of high profile rail accidents, culminating in a head on collision on September 12, 2008 between a Union Pacific freight train and a METROLINK passenger train in Chatsworth, California, provided the impetus for the passage of the Rail Safety Improvement Act (RSIA) of 2008 (Public Law 110–432). The RSIA mandated the installation of Positive Train Control Systems across the US rail system by December 31, 2015. These new statutory requirements represent one of the most significant changes in US signal and train control systems since the introduction of track circuits and Centralized Traffic Control in the 1920’s. This paper discusses the background which led to the passage of the RSIA, the new PTC requirements imposed by the law, and highlights the significant changes from existing federal safety regulations associated with voluntary PTC implementations that are being adopted by the to meet the law’s requirement.

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