Positive train control (PTC): Calculating benefits and costs of a new railroad control technology

Abstract

The railroad industry has since the mid-1980s been investigating the potential of a group of technologies collectively known as communications-based train control. These communications-based systems have been applied to both passenger and freight operations, and also to rapid transit and "people-movers" (low-capacity automated systems typically used at airports or for downtown circulation). In the railroad industry, the term "positive train control" (PTC) is now used, reflecting the capability of such system to positively enforce movement authorities, conveying a safety benefit not found in most current railroad systems. However, the sorts of "human factors" accidents prevented by PTC are (fortunately) uncommon, and their elimination produces a relatively small annual savings. The cost of implementing PTC, by contrast, may be quite large. © (2005) by the Transportation Research Forum. All rights reserved.