Intelligent Transportation System
Positive Train Control
The five county members of the SCRRA are jointly funding the development of an interoperable PTC system to improve safety for freight and commuter railroads in the region. PTC is designed to prevent train collisions using GPS tracking to remotely monitor train movements. In a typical PTC system, onboard equipment on the train uses GPS satellites to transmit speed and location data over wireless or hard line communications links to an operations center. A back office system at the operations center analyzes the data using software that determine the likelihood of a collision or derailment. An advance alert is sent by the dispatch center to the locomotive and brakes are automatically engaged if the warnings are not acted on by the train engineer. Federal regulations does not prescribe the type of technology a PTC system uses as long as it can accomplish the following functions: preventing train-to-train collisions, derailment from over speeding, incursions into designated work zone areas and train movements caused by switches left in the wrong position.
Southern California Regional ITS Architecture 2011 Update
To learn more about the implementation of PTC services in the region, view the information in the following update documents:
- Positive Train Control History and Plans for Deployment
- Positive Train Control Regional ITS Architecture Elements
- Recommended Positive Train Control Subregional ITS Elements
Stakeholders
Stakeholders are identified in order to accommodate data exchange between the positive train control ITS elements in the Southern California Regional ITS Architecture. SCRRA and the freight rail companies are coordinating efforts to implement an interoperable PTC system.
| Stakeholder | Description |
| California Highway Patrol | California Highway Patrol |
| Commercial Freight Rails | Union Pacific (UP) and Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) |
| Inland Empire Transportation Planning Agencies | This stakeholder represents Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) and the San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG), who jointly operate the Inland Empire 511 system. |
| LA SAFE | Los Angeles County Service Authority for Freeway Emergencies (LA SAFE) |
| Local jurisdictions | Counties or local cities that are adjacent to county boundaries. |
| Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority | Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) serves as transportation planner and coordinator, designer, builder and operator for LA County. Metro operates over 2,000 peak-hour buses on an average weekday. It also designed, built and operates 73.1 miles of Metro Rail. In addition, Metro funds 16 municipal bus operators and funds a wide array of transportation projects. |
| NCTD | North County Transportation District (NCTD) in San Diego County |
| SCAG | The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) has evolved as the largest of nearly 700 councils of government in the United States, functioning as the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for six counties: Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, Ventura and Imperial. The region encompasses a population exceeding 15 million persons in an area of more than 38,000 square miles. As the designated Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Association of Governments is mandated by the federal government to research and draw up plans for transportation, growth management, hazardous waste management, and air quality. Additional mandates exist at the state level. |
| SCRRA | SCRRA is a joint powers authority (JPA) created in 1991 to operate the Metrolink commuter rail system in Southern California. The SCRRA Board is comprised of voting members from the Los Angeles Metropolitan Authority (LA METRO), Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC), San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) and Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC). |
| Traveling Public | Traveling public accessing various modes of transportation, including surface street, air, rail/transit, and non-motorized. |
Inventory
The updated Southern California Regional ITS Architecture added elements that support PTC information flows and data exchanges.
| Element Name | Stakeholder | Element Description | Element Status | Associated Entity |
| 511 MATIS/Go511 | LA SAFE | Regional 511 system providing traffic, transit, ridesharing, and bike info and trip planning. | Existing | Information Service Provider |
| Arterial Roadside Equipment | Local jurisdictions | Arterial Roadside ITS Equipment such as traffic signal controllers. | Existing | Roadway Subsystem Other Roadway |
| Arterial Traffic Control Systems | Local jurisdictions | Traffic signal systems operated by cities and counties in the region. | Existing | Traffic Management Other Traffic Management |
| CHP Dispatch | California Highway Patrol | This element represents CHP dispatch centers in the region. | Existing | Emergency Management Other Emergency Management |
| Freight Rail Operations | Commercial Freight Rails | Rail operations for BNSF and Union Pacific (UP): Class I railroads operating in the SCAG region | Existing | Rail Operations |
| IEN Regional Server | Local jurisdictions | IEN server for multiple TFs/Corridors. Facilitates the exchange of real-time arterial traffic information between corridors, and limited signal control between participating Agencies. Also facilitates exchange of traffic information with Agencies not part of any TF (e.g., Caltrans, etc.). | Existing | Traffic Management Other Traffic Management |
| Inland Empire 511 | Inland Empire Transportation Planning Agencies | This element represents the 511 system operating in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. | Existing | Information Service Provider |
| NCTD Train Operations | NCTD | NTCD train operations center providing dispatch and communications with NTCD trains. | Existing | Rail Operations |
| RIITS | Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority | Regional Integration of Intelligent Transportation Systems (RIITS) provides regional data sharing and exchange, including coordination across all modes of transportation, and is a source of real-time traffic congestion data in the region. | Existing | Emergency Management Information Service Provider Traffic Management Transit Management Other Emergency Management Other ISP Other Transit Management Other Traffic Management |
| SCAG ERTMIS | SCAG | The Enhanced Regional Transportation Monitoring Information System (ERTMIS) is a tool used to collect and maintain traffic data for performance monitoring and reporting. | Existing | Archived Data Management Subsystem Other Archives |
| SCRRA Back Office System | SCRRA | The back office system stores track geometry, speed restrictions and signaling configurations in a database. The back office communicates movement authorities and track restrictions to all trains in its operating territory. The back office system serves as the communications interface with other back office systems operated in other railroad territories. | Existing | Transit Management |
| SCRRA Infrastructure Monitoring Equipment | SCRRA | Equipment used to monitor tracks, yards, and other rail infrastructure. | Planned | Security Monitoring Subsystem |
| SCRRA On-board Passenger Information Signs | SCRRA | Signage on board the trains. | Planned | Transit Vehicle Subsystem |
| SCRRA On-board PTC Component | SCRRA | The on-board equipment package includes a display unit, computer processor, GPS receivers and radios to interface with other PTC components. The computer will determine movement authorities and speed and track restrictions based on information obtained from the back office and the wayside signal system. | Planned | Transit Vehicle Subsystem |
| SCRRA Passenger Information Signs | SCRRA | Train arrival signs at stations. | Planned | Remote Traveler Support |
| SCRRA Rail Information System | SCRRA | Rail Traveler Information System to provide information on trains, at train stations, and via personal devices. | Planned | Transit Management Other Transit Management |
| SCRRA Train Control and Operations Center | SCRRA | Houses the back office systems. Staffed to provide computer aided dispatching (CAD) functions. Coordinate response activities and communication exchanges with other train operations centers. | Existing | Emergency Management Transit Management Rail Operations |
| SCRRA Wayside Signal System | SCRRA | PTC system overlay will use the existing wayside signal system to obtain data on the status of signals, switches, locking and track occupancy. Wayside devices will communicate with the back office and locomotives over a wireless communications network operating at the 220 MHz spectrum. | Existing | Roadway Subsystem Wayside Equipment Other Roadway |
| User Personal Computing Devices | Traveling Public | User Personal Computing Devices refers to equipment an individual owns and can personalize with their choices for information about transportation networks. An Internet-connected PC is an example. | Existing | Personal Information Access |
| Work Zone Safety Management System | SCRRA | Communications from the field to the back office seeking work authority using remote access. Work zone enforcement limits are communicated from the back office to the locomotives to prevent trains from entering or exceeding speed limits in restricted areas. | Planned | Roadway Subsystem Other Roadway |
Services
The ITS elements for PTC identified in this Southern California Regional ITS Architecture are being implemented through a series of projects led by SCRRA and the freight railroad companies. Key foundation systems will need to be implemented in order to support other systems and projects. Project sequencing identifies those foundation systems, projects, or infrastructure that are required to be in place for other projects to move forward. The projects included here are intentionally generic in nature and were defined as a part of this architecture development as a means to allow for a theoretical connectivity based on other projects and systems that are already in place. The intent in developing these placeholder projects and identifying sequencing is to allow future project sponsors to identify their own, funded projects within this connected, regional context, and as such to have a starting point for understanding the connectivity needed for an optimized regional system. In some cases, studies may be required prior to full project development and implementation and operational agreements may be necessary for interregional projects to effectively work together.
| Project Title | Description | Services | Status | Timeframe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004-AP-14 Rail Information Dissemination | Future real-time information projects including PDAs, e-mail and pagers, displays in trains. The current website has only static displays. Relationship to PTC: This project could be supported by data collected on real-time train movements. | PTC-APTS08-1 - Transit Traveler Information - SCRRA |
Planned | Long |
| 2004-AP-18 Rail Automated Maintenance Support | Long-term goal as funding becomes available. Relationship to PTC: This project would be supported by the restriction of train movements in work zone areas. | PTC-APTS06-1 - Transit Fleet Management - SCRRA |
Planned | Long |
| 2004-AP-8 Upgraded Passenger Information System | Includes future capital projects entailing the following: Electronic passenger information system Relationship to PTC: This project would use real-time train location data to provide predictive train arrival information. The information could be distributed to the public through regional traveler information services such as Go511 and Inland Empire 511. | PTC-APTS08-1 - Transit Traveler Information - SCRRA |
Planned | Medium |
| 2008 SAP-9 Regional Rail Grade Crossing Security | Improve rail grade crossing security and response to emergency events by: " Using sensors and surveillance to monitor at-grade rail crossings " Improving highway-railroad intersections with train detectors, advance warning systems and link train detectors to traffic signal system and EMS dispatch " Utilizing ITS elements to direct vehicles to alternate routes at and in advance of blocked at-grade rail crossings on major arterials during train events (HAZMAT, derailment, train-vehicle collision) " Providing the ability to view and control CCTV through a Windows based system that is compatible with Intelligent Roadway / Rail Interface System (IR/RIS) program and sub-regional ATMS and ATIS. Relationship to PTC: This project would be supported by PTC monitoring of at-grade crossing safety. Regional emergency response could be coordinated by exchanging data between the rail operations centers and regional TMCs. | PTC-ATMS01-1 - Network Surveillance - Rail Grade Crossing Security PTC-ATMS14-1 - Advanced Railroad Grade Crossing - Local Jurisdictions PTC-ATMS15-1 - Railroad Operations Coordination - Arterial Systems PTC-ATMS15-2 - Railroad Operations Coordination - Rail Operators |
Planned | Medium |
| 2008 SAP-13 Regional Integrated GIS Database | SCAG shall offer a regional repository of GIS data for use by local agencies in emergency planning, and response, in a standardized format. Relationship to PTC: This project would include track geometries, location of wayside elements and other spatial data maintained by the PTC back office systems. | PTC-AD2-1 - ITS Data Warehouse - SCAG ERTMIS |
Planned | Medium / Long Term |
| 2004-AP-10 Quad Gate Synchronization | Investigate alternate means of clearing the crossing by detecting vehicles that are still in the crossing as the first barrier is lowered and synchronize actions with traffic signal systems in the vicinity. Relationship to PTC: This project would be supported by PTC devices that monitor at-grade crossing safety. Events could trigger alerts that are communicated to the train operator by the computer aided dispatch (CAD) system or wayside signaling system. Onboard computers on the locomotives could apply brakes automatically if alerts or warnings are not acted on. | PTC-ATMS14-1 - Advanced Railroad Grade Crossing - Local Jurisdictions |
Planned | Short |
| 2004-AP-13 GPS Train Location System | Project is underway and will be on-going for some time. The completion of the fiber communication is of importance. Human interpretation of information remains of importance in understanding train delays before posting of information. There is no fully automated on-time performance system. Relationship to PTC: This project would be supported by the deployment of onboard PTC equipment. | PTC-APTS01-1 - Transit Vehicle Tracking - PTC |
Planned | Short |
| 2004-AP-9 Rail Sealed Corridor | Various alternatives will be studied including quad gates for the best line protection to prevent drivers from penetrating the line as trains approach and enhance safety. The first priority locations are the Antelope Valley Line and Ventura County Line. These segments are also within the California High Speed Rail Corridor. Relationship to PTC: This project would be supported by PTC devices that monitor at-grade crossing safety. Events could trigger alerts that are communicated to the train operator by the computer aided dispatch (CAD) system or wayside signaling system. Onboard computers on the locomotives could apply brakes automatically if alerts or warnings are not acted on. | PTC-ATMS14-1 - Advanced Railroad Grade Crossing - Local Jurisdictions |
Planned | Short |
| 2008 SAP-15 Rail Infrastructure Security | Install ITS devices including communication backbone to monitor and secure trains, rail cars, fixed assets (tracks, wayside equipment), highway-rail intersections and personnel with interfaces to traffic and emergency management centers. Relationship to PTC: This project would access data collected from various onboard and wayside PTC devices. Data shared using communication interfaces between the railroad operations centers and regional TMCs. | PTC-EM05-1 - Transportation Infrastructure Protection - Rail Grade Crossing Security Transit Security - Transit Security |
Planned | Short |
| 2004-AP-11 Rail Fiber Communication | A fiber communication backbone is gradually being installed throughout the system to enable both voice and data transmission linking to central dispatch in Pomona. Relationship to PTC: This project would support the additional PTC communication systems and networks. | PTC-ATMS15-1 - Railroad Operations Coordination - Arterial Systems PTC-ATMS15-2 - Railroad Operations Coordination - Rail Operators |
Planned | Short / Medium |
| 2004-AP-21 Regional Traveler Information | A general project category that covers potential multi-agency initiatives to increase integrated dissemination of traveler information as widely as possible throughout the Southern California Region. Relationship to PTC: This project would integrate real-time train location and predictive train arrival data obtained from PTC components. | PTC-APTS08-1 - Transit Traveler Information - SCRRA |
Planned | Short / Medium |
| 2004-AP-3 Data Archive | Provide for a regional archiving capability for long term planning. Relationship to PTC: This project would include the track geometries and speed restriction profiles maintained by the PTC back office systems. | PTC-AD2-1 - ITS Data Warehouse - SCAG ERTMIS |
Planned | Short / Medium |
| 2008 SAP-20 Rail Location and Notification | Provide the ability for rail operators (UP, BNSF) to notify public agencies in SCAG region of manifest data within 24hrs of receiving the data to allow first responders to properly respond in an emergency event. Implement necessary ITS elements to share train location and ID data with public agencies. Relationship to PTC: This project would be supported by real-time train location data gathered by PTC devices. | PTC-ATMS15-1 - Railroad Operations Coordination - Arterial Systems |
Planned | Short / Medium |
Standards
The Southern California Regional ITS Architecture provides recommended current, relevant standards for each information exchange between ITS projects for PTC. Their use is not mandatory. However, in some instances, there may be funding requirements or regional policies that mandate project-specific standards such as for real-time transit information.
