(The NTSB issued the following news release on February 10.)
WASHINGTON — The National Transportation Safety Board will hold a symposium to discuss an automated system to prevent train collisions known in the industry as positive train control (PTC), NTSB Chairman Ellen Engleman Conners has announced. The two-day symposium will begin at 9:00 am on March 2, 2005 at the NTSB Academy in Ashburn, VA.
“The goal of this symposium is to reinvigorate the dialogue between industry and both state and federal agencies on the issues relevant to the implementation of positive train control systems,” said Chairman Engleman Conners.
PTC has been on the Board’s “Most Wanted” list of transportation safety improvements since its inception in 1990.
Chairman Engleman Conners will open the forum; other Safety Board Members are expected to attend. NTSB staff will lead technical panel discussions that will examine each major aspect of positive train control systems including safety, efficiency and operational issues. The rail industry, suppliers and federal and state organizations will contribute presentations highlighting their perspectives.
A detailed agenda, complete list of forum participants, and registration information can be found on the NTSB website at www.ntsb.gov/academy.The NTSB Academy is located at 45065 Riverside Parkway, Ashburn, VA 20147.