Positive Train Control Communication Failures and Their Impacts: Case Study Using Generalized Train Movement Simulator
Railroads with Positive Train Control (PTC) are experiencing increased delays due to communication failures and outages, during which trains are compelled to move at slower speeds while operating in non-PTC fallback mode. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) sponsored Decisiontek, LLC to further enhance the Generalized Train Movement Simulator (GTMS) in 2020. To evaluate the operational impacts of communication outages, the team extended the GTMS to include a Communications Failure Impacts Model.