Railroads Get Partial PTC Waiver
The FCC Wireless Bureau approved a waiver for the Association of American Railroads allowing members to use signal boosters in positive train control (PTC) systems with an effective radiated power of 30 watts in areas where coverage is otherwise subpar…
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due to distance or intervening terrain. “AAR explains that safe, efficient movement of trains relies on communications links between the fronts and rears of trains to monitor speed and brake pressure; operate rear end brakes; and, on trains with distributed power, coordinate the front and rear engines,” the bureau said Wednesday. “It states that the options currently permitted by the Commission’s Rules do not provide sufficient coverage to maintain this communications link on long trains in areas of challenging terrain, and that trackside signal boosters are needed to maintain the communications link.” But to minimize the risk of interference the bureau limited the waiver’s scope, excluding channels at the edge of the railroad frequencies (452/457.900 MHz and 452/457.96875 MHz).