2017 GIS in Business Track: Mapping for Positive Train Control (PTC) Asset Management

MERRICK & COMPANY
Mapping for Positive Train Control (PTC) Asset Management
Merinda Lobato GISP

Copyright © 2014 Merrick & Company - All rights reserved.
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What is Positive Train Control (PTC)?
A Positive Train Control (PTC) system is an important safety
tool used within the rail industry
PTC can be used to control train movement and
help to:
 avoid incidents involving train-to-train collision
 enforce speed and restrictions
 improve rail work zone safety

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Components of PTC
PTC is a system utilizing a real-time global positioning system (GPS)
on a train along with a geodatabase of rail assets to determine the
location and speed of a train

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Why do we need PTC?
On May 12, 2015 an Amtrak train going from
D.C. to NYC derailed and crashed in Port
Richmond, Philadelphia. At the time of the
derailment the train was traveling at 102 mph
in a 50 mph zone, through a curve.
 238 aboard + 5 crew
 200 injured (11 critically)
 8 deaths

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PTC to Prevent Accidents
There was a similar train derailment on this same
section of curve 1943.
 117 injured
 79 deaths

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Can PTC Save Lives?
 National Transportation Safety
Board (NTSB) believed the 2015
derailment accidental and
preventable
 Operator distracted at time of
accident
 Could have been prevented by
PTC
PTC is currently required for Class 1
railroads
 Poisonous and toxic hazardous
materials
 Heavy commuter rails

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Helicopter Approach
 Airborne LiDAR (25
ppsm)
 2 cm pixel resolution
RGB ortho imagery
 Forward and Aft
Oblique imagery
 Video
 Surveyed Ground
Control and
checkpoints Two passes required
 LiDAR and Ortho collection: 150 meter above
ground level
 Oblique collection: 60 meter above ground
level

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Collection

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Options to Collect Obstructed Features
 Mobile collection
of LiDAR and
imagery for city
area and tunnels
 Terrestrial LiDAR
 Conventional
Survey
 Walk the track, go-
pro (validation of
assets)

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Collect Obstructed Road Crossing

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Accuracy
 LiDAR vertical accuracy control report – 3 cm RMSEz

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Centerline
An accurate centerline with elevation is a critical feature within the
geodatabase. All relevant assets are referenced to the centerline.
 Red represents the rails in both images. The
LiDAR has been classified to a rail
classification, the elevation will be obtained
from the LAS. A digitized polyline is shown in
red over the ortho imagery, the blue line
represents the generated centerline.

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Track Ownership
 PTC- green
 PTC Shared- red
 Foreign- blue

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Actual Features and Center of Track

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Center of Track
 Signals
 Turnouts
 Milepost
 Crossings
 Platforms

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Direction and Annotation
Attributes are added to
the geodatabase from
the CAD Track Chart
files
 Name
 Type
 Direction
 DOT Number
 Latitude/Longitude
 Track Name

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Turnouts
A turnout or switch will allow
a train to change from one
track to another

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Signals
Bridge and Mast signals are differentiated and labeled according to the location
of left/right/center in relation to the track

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Oblique Images for Signs

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At Grade, Overhead, Underpass
 At Grade Road Crossing, with Start and End points on each track

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Railroad Bridges
 Start and end points are attributed for railroad bridges

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Platform, Ortho and Plan

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Platform Plan

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Thank You – Questions?

2017 GIS in Business Track: Mapping for Positive Train Control (PTC) Asset Management

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2017 GIS in Business Track: Mapping for Positive Train Control (PTC) Asset Management