California Rail Authority Awards Contract for Collision Avoidance Technology

The Southern California Regional Rail Authority in the US has awarded Parsons a $120m contract to design, procure and install positive train control (PTC) technology on the 512-mile Metrolink regional commuter rail system.

PTC is collision avoidance technology that monitors and controls train movements.

Parsons will also lead the overall radio frequency infrastructure development, manage the development of the network management system and replace the dispatching system.

The PTC system will be fully interoperable with the PTC systems used by Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway.

Metrolink's PTC system-wide implementation programme includes installing a PTC back-office system, stop enforcement systems at 476 wayside signals and a six-county specialised communication network to link the wayside signals, trains and a centralised dispatch office.

The technology will be put into service by 2015 as a key component of the US Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008.