Positive Train Control (PTC) failure modes

Abstract

Positive Train Control (PTC) systems can eliminate the consequences of collision or derailment. However, prior to the full-scale deployment of these systems, the Federal Government must conduct a regulatory review and approve the risk analysis of the PTC system performance. The objective of this review is to ensure that the operating environment after installation of the PTC system is at least as safe as the operating environment before the system installation. This paper is intended to provide researchers an understanding of PTC, the reason for its use, the regulatory requirements for the required comparative risk analysis of the PTC system, the critical failure modes that the comparative analysis must address, and future work that would facilitate the risk assessment process.

Simulator-Based Investigations of Human Error Potential with Railroad Automation in the Locomotive Cab

“…In attempting to understand the impacts of automation on operator performance, we relied on previous analyses of PTC (Sebok et al, 2015;Hartong et al, 2011;Wreathall, Roth et al, 2007;Wreathall, Woods et al, 2007) and conducted indepth investigations of one particular type of fuel optimization system, called Trip Optimizer (TO). The CTIL implements these as two independent systems, mirroring the current-day implementation status.…”

Putting Technology in Charge: Human and Organizational factors influencing the reliability of train operations under PTC

“…Train operation and its safety rely heavily on the engineer's performance. Many times, the only barrier standing between two trains is "the vigilance and dedication to rules and duty of the men and women in the cab of a locomotive", (Hansen, 2001) if that fails, nothing can stop the trains and prevent the inevitable tragedy. PTC is designed to prevent such accidents.…”

The determination of the repairs of railway track considering the reliability and risk level

“…tm -the operational time of a ballast cleaning machine in a day (h/days). To achieve the standard operation time (up to 1÷1.1 billion t of gross weight) of the continuous welded track, a system of a targeted restoration of track elements (in particular, rails) is demanded (Table 3) [15,16,17].…”