SEPTA Requests to Amend PTC Plan, Seeks Approval of Railroad Signal System Modification

Written by Kyra Senese, Managing Editor
image description
SEPTA

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority submitted a request for amendment to its Federal Railroad Administration-approved Positive Train Control Implementation Plan on Feb. 22.

The RFA includes a petition seeking approval to discontinue or modify a signal system, according to Federal Register documents. 

On Aug. 17, 2022, the FRA approved, in part, SEPTA’s RFA to its PTC plan. The administration did not, however, provide a conclusion at that time regarding SEPTA’s request to discontinue or modify a component of its signal system, as the FRA must first solicit public input on the matter before making a judgment.

FRA will take into account comments submitted by May 1, 2023. To the extent that it is practical and without impeding the implementation of beneficial or essential changes to a signal or train control system, FRA may consider comments received after that date.

Before the technology can be used in revenue service, Title 49 United States Code Section 20157(h) mandates that the FRA verify that a host railroad’s PTC system complies with Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations part 236, subpart I. According to 49 CFR 236.1021, a host railroad must submit and receive FRA approval of an RFA to its PTCSP before making certain changes to a FRA-certified PTC system or the accompanying FRA-approved PTCSP.

Comments may be submitted here following the online instructions. All submissions must include the agency name and the applicable docket number. The relevant PTC docket number for this host railroad is Docket No. FRA-2010-0036.

Tags: ,

Media