PATH completes positive train control safety system installation

<p>PATH train officials say that the work has been complete on the rail line&rsquo;s positive train control safety system.</p>

News 12 Staff

Dec 5, 2018, 3:35 AM

Updated 1,962 days ago

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PATH train officials say that the work has been complete on the rail line’s positive train control safety system.
The Federal Railroad Administration certified the work Tuesday, making PATH one of the first systems in the country to meet the PTC deadline.
PATH officials released a statement Tuesday, “We recognized and appreciate the efforts of our PATH team and the contractors that made it a reality and the patience of our customers as we worked to enhance the safety of their travel experience.”
All regional rail systems are working towards a Dec. 31 deadline to complete the work. Federal officials mandated the installation of the safety equipment back in 2008. The technology is meant to prevent train collisions and derailments by taking over with emergency braking for an engineer if the train is going too fast.
A train crash in Hoboken in 2016 drew national attention to the issue. One person was killed and more than 100 others were injured when a New Jersey Transit train crashed into a bumping post at Hoboken Terminal.
Many safety experts said that PTC could have prevented that crash.
NJ Transit officials say that their PTC installation may not make the Dec. 31 deadline, but they say that they are making progress. The agency said that they were about 88 percent complete as of mid-November.
All regional rail agencies have said that the systems are still safe to ride while PTC installation continues.


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