The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has long supported the development of positive train control (PTC) systems to prevent train collisions and derailments due to overspeed, as well as incidents involving roadway workers operating within the equipment’s authority limits. After years of preparation and development, limited deployment and near-deployment of PTC systems are occurring with most of, if not all, the Class 1 railroads.

There are still barriers, such as necessary capital outlays, to wide-scale deployment in the industry which includes the short line and regional railroads, as well as Class 1 railroads. FRA Office of Research and Development is exploring the development of a low-cost collision avoidance system which will not have the full set of requirements of the current, comprehensive PTC systems; thereby reducing development and acquisition costs. The system will be capable of performing the most critical function of a PTC system — reduce the number of train collisions. Within the context of this effort, the term “low-cost” is meant to serve as a contrast to the higher costs associated with more comprehensive PTC systems. At this time, there is no target cost associated with the low-cost collision avoidance system.

It is anticipated that regional and short-line railroads will find the deployment of a low-cost collision avoidance system easier to justify. In addition, major railroads may wish to deploy a system of this nature as an interim measure prior to the deployment of a more comprehensive PTC system.

It is extremely important to note that the pursuit of this effort does not in any way imply that FRA is diminishing its desire and support for the development of a vital PTC system with all the functionalities originally envisioned by the industry for such a system . FRA intends to sponsor development of the low- cost system in parallel with its PTC activities. It is FRA’s vision that if a low-cost collision avoidance system is available in the future, some level of train collision protection could be implemented everywhere.

A Request for Information (RFI) has been prepared that summarizes the background of the initiative and describes the high-level requirements of the envisioned system. The goal of the RFI is the collection of comments on the requirements and information describing potential technologies and approaches that could realistically be implemented to meet the requirements of the proposed system. Responses to this RFI will help refine project objectives and system requirements and allow potential providers for a system of this nature to identify themselves. Material provided will be considered during development of a solicitation package for a low-cost collision avoidance system.

FRA encourages collaborative efforts between prospective developers, system integrators and manufacturers in providing responses to the RFI, particularly amongst suppliers of innovative approaches to the technological challenges that may not have significant experience within a railroad environment and parties that possess a strong background within the railroad industry. Responses provided for this RFI that do not originate from a “team” will not be precluded from consideration. FRA also encourages involvement by one or more railroads. Ideally, participation would not be limited to the Class 1 railroads. Not only would responses to this RFI by a railroad significantly contribute to the formative stages of this effort, railroads would be able to provide information on operational and implementation issues, if any.

Interested parties are strongly encouraged to download the complete Request for Information responses should be received no later than April 15, 2008.

For more information, please contact:

Eric Sherrock
ENSCO Staff Engineer
Email Eric

(ENSCO, Inc is the prime contractor supporting FRA in the development of a Request for Proposal for this effort.)