OTTAWA — The Canadian government has announced plans to require its own version of positive train control, which it is calling Enhanced Train Control.
Transport Canada has published a Notice of Intent to implement the safety system, which is intended to ensure trains comply with trackside signaling and speed limits and avoid collisions. In the notice, the agency says it is “committed to working with all stakeholders, including railways, shippers, labour organizations, and the broader public sector” in developing the system.
The plan calls for three levels of train control:
— In corridors deemed to be highest-risk, locomotives and corridors would be equipped with the Automatic Train Protection technology, comparable to the U.S. PTC system, and only trains so equipped would be allowed to operate.
— Lower-risk corridors would require a Driver Advisory System with onboard display of operating warnings such as speed restrictions, red signals, or work zones. Depending on wayside equipment installed, this system could also warn of problems such as improperly aligned switches.
— Lowest-risk corridors would operate under current rules.
“The safety benefits of Enhanced Train Control technologies are widely recognized when it comes to helping prevent certain railway accidents caused by human behavior,” Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said in a press release. “This Notice of Intent is a first step, and successfully introducing this technology to Canada will involve working closely with industry, labor representatives and other stakeholders to develop new approaches, standards and protocols. Enhanced Train Control technologies represent an innovative means to further improve rail safety in Canada.”
The notice does not indicate a time frame for the implementation process. Comments on the initial notice will be accepted through April 22, 2022.
The notice of proposed legislation states that the current US PTC system would meet the Canadian requirements.
Will it be compatible with US PTC? If not, will CN and CPKS trains have to have two separate systems aboard their locos to run cross-border trains, or will they have to change motive power at the border?