WASHINGTON — The Virginia Railway Express would have to suspend some, if not all, of its commuter rail service in the Commonwealth and the District next year if Congress fails to extend the deadline for Positive Train Control.
Positive Train Control is a set of advanced technologies designed to automatically stop a train before train-to-train collisions and derailments caused by excessive speed, among other things.
The VRE is spending $10.5 million to implement Positive Train Control, which includes the installation of on-board computers and radio equipment on locomotives and cab cars. They expect PTC equipment to be installed by years end.
“Safety is VRE’s top priority and we are fully committed to implementing PTC,” Doug Allen, VRE’s chief executive officer, said in a statement. “Despite the hard work and dedication by all involved, more time is needed.”
The Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 requires passenger rail service and freight trains carrying certain hazardous materials to have PTC operational by Dec. 31, 2015.
On Tuesday, VRE received official notification from one of its host railroads, Norfolk Southern Railway, that because PTC will not be fully operational on their railroad by the deadline, VRE passenger trains will not be permitted to operate on NSR tracks after Dec. 31.
This would affect all Manassas Line trains. It is likely service on the Fredericksburg Line will also be suspended without a PTC extension.
The Northern Virginia and Potomac & Rappahannock Transportation Commissions, owners of VRE, will be considering this issue at their Nov. 5, 2015 meetings.
