Communications, Signals & Information Technology Functional Group

Technical Committee 39 – Positive Train Control

The purpose of AREMA Committee 39 is to continually review current and new technologies to develop recommended practices addressing the design, installation, testing and maintenance of:

  • Wayside equipment and Information Technology Systems related to Positive Train Control

Chair

Carlos Aguilera

Signal R&D - Engineer Signals III

BNSF Railway

Email: Carlos.Aguilera@BNSF.com

Vice Chair

Roger C. French

Systems Engineer

Modern Railway Systems

Email: rfrench@modrailsystems.com

Secretary

Mark Hunter

Hatch

Email: mark.hunter@hatch.com

Subcommittees and Current Assignments

Subcommittee 1: Emerging Technologies

  • Responsible for creating/updating AREMA C&S Manual Parts related to new and emerging PTC technologies.
  • Development of educational webinars related to PTC ranging from a general understanding to in-depth understanding.
    • PTC 101 and 201 Webinar series under development.

Subcommittee 3: Testing and Maintenance

  • Responsible for creating/updating AREMA C&S Manual Parts related to the testing and maintenance of PTC systems.
  • Manual parts under development:
    • Recommended Guidelines for Troubleshooting Messaging Network Connectivity for ITC Type PTC
  • New manual parts being considered:
    • Safe Braking Tests 
    • Transponder Testing 
    • Troubleshooting & Maintenance Guides for PTC Components

Subcommittee 4: Communications

  • Responsible for creating/updating AREMA C&S Manual Parts related to design and installation of communications technologies.
  • New manual parts being considered:
    • Recommended Design Criteria/Functional Guidelines for Interface of Radio Communications Module in “Clean Cab” Locomotive 
    • Intra Railroad Networking
  • Development of educational webinars related to communications based technologies and their use with the within the railroad.
    • RTK 101 – Under development
    • Cyber Security / Risk Assessment – Under development