[Scan-DC] Lawmakers agree to extend automated train deadline by 3 years

[Blair Thompson]

http://thehill.com/policy/transportation/257566-agreement-reached-on-automated-train-extension

Yes, there is stuff in here about radios, mostly in the comments. You'll be surprised to hear many of the commenters are in their own private flame war. Other comments are worth reading, like this one:

Jefft90  > Guest  • 2 days ago  

The northbound track in Philadelphia's Port Richmond section where the Amtrak train derailed did not have PTC in place, although the southbound section did. Other Amtrak routes will likely be completed between 2016 and 2018.

One of the lessons learned during installation of PTC in Michigan, was that a 220MHz radio was a superior alternative to the original 900MHz system that we were using on our Northeast Corridor fleet. The 220MHz radio transmitted information more quickly, offered better coverage, and more room for growth. However, the process for obtaining the necessary bandwidth proved to be a difficult one. Between 2010 and 2014, litigation and regulatory proceedings obstructed Amtrak’s attempts to purchase bandwidth on the open market. Amtrak simultaneously searched for alternate solutions and sought repeatedly but unsuccessfully to obtain an allocation of the necessary spectrum from the Federal Communication Commission’s inventory of unused spectrum. Amtrak was able to complete the purchase in December 2014, obtain the FCC’s consent in February, and Amtrak took title in April 2015. The next step will be the installation and testing process for the radio system on our NEC locomotive fleet over the next few months. Provided the FCC’s requirements are met, we intend to complete the system on the NEC by the end of 2015 and meet the federally mandated requirement. No other Class I railroad is as far along in installing PTC systems as Amtrak.

http://blog.amtrak.com/2015/05/commitment-passengers-employees-safety-positive-train-control/
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