Additionally, the measure includes a provision that would extend to 2018 the deadline for railroads to install positive train control (PTC) technology. Amtrak had installed the technology on tracks were the crash occurred, but it hadn’t been tested yet and so wasn’t turned on.
Advertisement
House leaders said they thought the proposed short-term funding bill could come up for a vote on the House floor as early as Tuesday, according to a report by The Hill.
Congress last week agreed to give the industry three more years – possibly as much as five – to install Positive Train Control, something that companies were supposed to have done by December 31. “The condition of the transportation system and its ability to handle cargo quickly and efficiently are vital to retailers’ businesses, and we urge Congress to swiftly pass a long-term reauthorization bill”. The current legislation is set to expire on Thursday.
Senate action is still required.
“While the deadline for PTC implementation is the end of the year, preventing a major disruption of rail service requires Congress to act much sooner”, Quigley said.
Most railroads aren’t expected to make the deadline. Many railroads were late getting started while they waited for the government to develop standards for the technology, and while they tried to decide which approach best-suited their needs.
Freight railroads often host commuter railroad operations on their tracks, and also frequently use the tracks of their competitors.
Positive Train Control is a safety system to monitor and control train movements that was enacted in 2008 by Congress.
But a few lawmakers say the delay should be shorter and determined on a case-by-case basis. There should have been financial consequences for those with no legitimate excuse to have missed a deadline they’ve known about for seven years.
Advertisement
And this isn’t just about the safety of train passengers and crew, which is serious enough; a runaway oil train in 2013 that derailed in Lac-Megantic, Quebec, and exploded killed 47 people and destroyed the center of the town.
