Oceanside, CA—North County Transit District (NCTD) is one step closer to the full implementation of the federally mandated Positive Train Control (PTC) safety system for its COASTER trains. PTC is an integrated command, control, communications, and information system that can control train movement, and even stop the train when conditions warrant. This system increases the safety of all who use the rails.
NCTD completed the requirements for Revenue Service Demonstration (RSD)—which was the final required testing for all subsystems—earlier this year and beginning in December will enter into Extended RSD of PTC. The conditions for entering into Extended RSD have been met, which included 30 consecutive trips without a critical failure of the PTC system, and 75% of the COASTER engineers having operated a train in RSD.
This next step into Extended RSD means that all COASTER trains will operate with PTC enabled as opposed to only certain trains at certain times. This implementation will come as a phased approach over multiple weeks in December. The following schedule shows the phases in which Extended RSD will be rolled out:
- Monday, December 4 – COASTER 630, 631, 634, 635, 639, 640, 644, 645, 648, 654, 655, 657, 662, and 665
- Monday, December 11 – Adding COASTER 636, 638, 651, 653, 656, 660, 661, and 663
- Saturday, December 16 – Adding COASTER 680, 681, 684, 685, 688, 689, 692, and 693
The phased approach is part of NCTD’s effort to troubleshoot issues and minimize any potential delays. To complete Extended RSD and enter into Full Revenue Service Implementation of the PTC system, all trains must operate under PTC, all engineers must operate PTC in Extended RSD, and the Federal Railroad Administration must approve NCTD’s PTC Safety Plan.
“Safety is the top priority at NCTD and with every new COASTER train that enters Extended RSD, NCTD rail service becomes a safer, more controlled environment,” said Deputy Chief Operations Officer of Rail Systems, Eric Roe.
NCTD is on track to complete full implementation of PTC by the federally-mandated deadline of December 31, 2018.
