Positive Train Control Remains Work In Progress On MARC

Installing Positive Train Control technology on Maryland's MARC system is hitting a snag. Although state money is in place, not everyone is on board with the time table.

Funding has been in place for two years, yet installing positive train control technology that stops or slows commuter trains like MARC remains a work in progress. The original deadline of December 2015 was pushed back to 2018.

The Maryland Transit Administration declined to go on camera. The agency issued a statement blaming track owners for the delay.

"Since MARC is a tenant railroad, MARC can only equip locomotives and cab cars, not the tracks themselves. We continue to work with CSX, AMTRAK and Norfolk Southern to ensure our on-train PTC equipment will work by the 2018 deadline."

Passengers aren't phased by the delay.

"I still feel secure riding on a MARC train. Sometimes they are periodically late, but I still get to where I'm going," MARC passenger Salena Peterson said.

Citing security concerns, CSX will not comment on the status of PTC deployment on specific rail lines. However, in a statement, it declared that it will meet the 2018 deadline.

"CSX expects to have all required PTC technology deployed in 2018, and PTC to be fully operational where required on the CSX network in 2020."

Amtrak declined to specifically to provide a status report on the MARC train line, but said it has completed installing PTC on track between Washington and New York.

The technology works like an air-traffic control system for trains. It combines GPS, wireless radio and computers to monitor trains, stop them from colliding, derailing, or speeding. The system keeps track of switch positions and locations for work zones.

The engineer still controls the train. PTC acts as a safeguard with an onboard warning. If the locomotive enters into a hazardous situation and the engineer doesn't respond, the system takes over.

Some commuters wish they'd expedite installation.

"I guess if that's how long it's going to take, but I feel like they should get it done in a timely fashion," MARC rider Slim said.