OMAHA, Neb., Feb. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Union Pacific
continues to make strides implementing positive train control
(PTC). The company anticipates it will make all required deadlines
for installing PTC on its network. As allowed by federal law, Union
Pacific will continue to test and refine the immature technologies
comprising the system in 2019-20.
Union Pacific's PTC footprint is the largest of all North
American railroads, encompassing more than 17,000 route miles,
roughly 55 percent more miles than the next largest railroad. Union
Pacific is in regular contact with the Federal Railroad
Administration officials regarding its PTC progress.
Installing and implementing PTC across the U.S. rail network
(passenger and freight) is costly and complex. One of the most
complex parts of implementing PTC is ensuring system
interoperability among all U.S. rail lines and locomotives. Given
the various readiness levels of North American freight and
passenger railroads, it will be important that all railroads
continue working together to ensure smooth and safe transitions as
PTC is implemented.
Union Pacific's fourth quarter accomplishments included:
- Preparing 33 additional track segments for PTC
operations, bringing the total number of track segments to 168
(92 percent complete). These 33 track segments are equipped with
wayside devices such as signals, switches and radios and have
defined GPS coordinates, which identify thousands of precise
locations for system wide PTC coordination.
- Educating more than 2,700 additional employees on PTC
operations, bringing the total number of employees trained to
about 19,400 (75 percent). Training materials are tailored to a
variety of employee roles, including engineer, conductor,
dispatcher, maintenance of way/engineering, mechanical, signal,
telecom and information technologies.
- Increasing by nearly 2,500 the number of route miles in PTC
operation, bringing the total number of route miles in PTC
operations to 10,053 (59 percent).
Additional progress includes:
- 88 percent of required locomotives are equipped with PTC
technology.
- 100 percent of required radio towers are equipped with PTC
technology.
System Update
Developing and implementing a PTC system is a multi-dimensional
process requiring a cross-functional, systemwide approach. Union
Pacific's PTC system consists of multiple technologies functioning
together to constantly monitor and manage train movements. These
involve integrating signal and telecom elements; GPS; wayside, base
station and locomotive radios; and antennas and satellites all to
predict whether the train crew should be alerted to take action or
if the technology should take control to slow or stop the
train.
Through December 31, Union
Pacific:
- Installed 99.7 percent, or over 17,000 miles, of required route
miles with PTC signal hardware.
- Partially installed PTC hardware on 98 percent of its 5,515
locomotives earmarked for the technology.
- Equipped and commissioned 4,220 locomotives with PTC hardware
and software.
- Installed 100 percent of the wayside antennas needed to support
PTC along the company's right of way.
Union Pacific plans to spend about $180
million on PTC in 2018 toward the current total estimated
$2.9 billion cost.
During 2018, Union Pacific will continue to install and
implement PTC across its network. Work during the first quarter
will focus mainly in southeast Texas and New
Mexico.
ABOUT UNION PACIFIC
Union Pacific Railroad is the principal operating company of
Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP). One of America's most
recognized companies, Union Pacific Railroad connects 23 states in
the western two-thirds of the country by rail, providing a critical
link in the global supply chain. In the last 10 years, 2008-2017,
Union Pacific invested approximately $34
billion in its network and operations to support America's
transportation infrastructure. The railroad's diversified business
mix is classified into its Agricultural Products, Energy, and
Industrial and Premium business groups. Union Pacific serves many
of the fastest-growing U.S. population centers, operates from all
major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways, connects
with Canada's rail systems and is
the only railroad serving all six major Mexico gateways. Union Pacific provides value
to its roughly 10,000 customers by delivering products in a safe,
reliable, fuel-efficient and environmentally responsible
manner.
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SOURCE Union Pacific