The implementation and operation of Positive Train Control (PTC) systems, designed to prevent collisions and enhance safety in commuter railroads, come with inherent costs. However, a recent report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) highlights the complexities faced by commuter rail agencies in tracking and reporting these PTC-related costs.
According to the GAO survey, 26 out of the 29 public commuter rail agencies mandated to implement PTC responded, revealing a common challenge in separating PTC operation and maintenance (O&M) costs from the broader spectrum of operational expenses. The integration of PTC technology into existing systems and the absence of separate tracking for PTC-related tasks were cited as primary hurdles.
The overlay of PTC systems onto existing infrastructure emerged as a common scenario, with 25 out of 26 agencies reporting this complexity. Of these, 12 agencies noted the extreme or very challenging nature of estimating PTC-specific O&M costs due to this overlay. The integration challenge is further compounded by the lack of distinct tracking for tasks related to PTC O&M, making it difficult for agencies to isolate these costs.
Future projections of PTC O&M costs pose additional challenges for agencies, attributed to uncertainties surrounding the timing and associated costs of software or hardware upgrades. Despite these challenges, 17 out of the 26 agencies managed to provide GAO with comprehensive estimates or projections for fiscal years 2022 through 2025. This involved meticulous reviews of invoices for materials and consultations with Information Technology specialists.
Analyzing the provided estimates, GAO found that a majority of the agencies spent 5 percent or less of their total operating costs on PTC O&M in fiscal year 2022. The estimates ranged from less than 1 percent to 12 percent, with a median of around 4 percent. Furthermore, 15 out of 17 agencies projected an increase in their PTC O&M costs between fiscal years 2023 and 2025.
To understand the potential influence of agency size on PTC O&M costs, GAO examined ridership and route miles in PTC operation. The analysis revealed a moderate to strong association between these factors and fiscal year 2022 PTC O&M costs. However, GAO emphasized the need for caution in drawing conclusions about causation due to the lack of control for other factors, such as PTC type.
In conclusion, the GAO report sheds light on the intricacies faced by commuter rail agencies in estimating and reporting PTC O&M costs. As these agencies grapple with the challenges posed by the integration of PTC technology and the absence of distinct tracking mechanisms, the report underscores the need for strategic approaches to enhance transparency and streamline the reporting of PTC-related expenses.
Read the full GAO report here.
