POSITIVE TRAIN CONTROL IN NORTH AMERICA

The positive train control (PTC) which is referred to as communication-based train management (CBTM) is discussed. PTC's core objectives are keep trains from hitting trains and overspeeding and protect workers in work zones. The wireless data platform that supports PTC can also be used for improved resource management. The degree and types of warning and action statements are very subjective, and they are generated based on the use of a continuous prediction process as the train moves down the track. PTC systems provide safeguards against potentially dangerous train-crew errors by bringing a train to a stop when the system determines that the train will exceed (predictive enforcement) its movement authority or track-specific restrictions or has already done so (reactive enforcement) when a prediction capability is not available. The PTC system should operate independent of dispatcher involvement and be transparent to the traffic management processes.