Positive Train Control Enforcement and Implementation Act of 2015

To amend title 49, United States Code, to provide for the extension of certain deadlines related to positive train control, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Positive Train Control Enforcement and Implementation Act of 2015 2. Ensuring safe implementation of positive train control on poisonous or toxic-by-inhalation and passenger rail lines Section 20157 of title 49, United States Code, is amended— (1) in subsection (a)(1)— (A) by striking 18 months after the date of enactment of the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 60 days after the date of enactment of the Positive Train Control Enforcement and Implementation Act of 2015 (B) by striking develop revise (C) by striking December 31, 2015 December 31, 2018, or the deadline determined appropriate by the Secretary pursuant to paragraph (2) (D) in subparagraph (B) by striking parts sections (2) by striking subsection (a)(2) and inserting the following: (2) Authority to extend deadline (A) The Secretary may extend the deadline described in paragraph (1) of this subsection, applicable to each carrier or entity required to submit a plan under paragraph (1), for a period not to exceed 12 months if such a carrier or entity demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that such carrier or entity— (i) will not be able to implement a positive train control system by the deadline described in paragraph (1) due to technical, programmatic, or operational challenges, such as availability of public funding, spectrum, technology, and interoperability standards; (ii) has taken actions to address such challenges and mitigate risks to successful implementation of a positive train control system; and (iii) has made good faith efforts to implement the plan described in paragraph (1). (B) (i) The Secretary may grant an additional one-time extension of the deadline described in paragraph (1), applicable to each carrier or entity required to submit a plan under paragraph (1), not to exceed 12 months, if such a carrier or entity, or a group thereof, is not able to fully implement a positive train control system on or before the date that is the last day of the extension granted under subparagraph (A), and such carrier or entity— (I) demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that implementing a positive train control system was delayed due to 1 or more circumstances beyond the control of the carrier or entity, such as a delay in Federal approval of a plan, testing, or certification; or (II) demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary— (aa) that such carrier or entity will not be able to implement a positive train control system by the deadline described in paragraph (1) due to technical, programmatic, or operational challenges; (bb) due diligence in its efforts to fully implement a positive train control system; and (cc) that substantial progress has been made in deploying positive train control, to the extent feasible. (ii) A demonstrating carrier or entity under clause (i) must certify to the Secretary in writing that such carrier or entity will be in full compliance with the requirements of this section on or before the date that is the last date of the extension granted under clause (i). (3) Implementation (A) The revised plan shall— (i) describe how the railroad carrier or entity will provide for interoperability of the system with movements of trains of other railroad carriers or entities over its lines; (ii) to the extent practical, provide for implementation of the system in a manner that addresses areas of greater risk before areas of lesser risk; (iii) comply with this section and subpart I of part 236 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations; and (iv) include a detailed schedule and sequence for fully implementing a positive train control system in accordance with this section and such regulations. (B) The railroad carrier shall implement a positive train control system in accordance with such plan. ; (3) by striking subsections (c) and (d) and inserting the following: (c) Progress reports Not later than January 1, 2017, and annually thereafter until full implementation of positive train control systems has been completed, each railroad carrier or entity required to revise and transmit a plan under subsection (a) shall submit to the Secretary a report on the progress of such carrier or entity toward implementing positive train control systems. (d) Reports (1) Congressional notification Not later than April 1, 2018, the Secretary shall transmit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the progress of the railroad carriers in implementing positive train control systems. (2) Public availability The Secretary shall make available to the public on the Department of Transportation’s Internet Web site each progress report submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) and subsection (c). ; and (4) in subsection (h)— (A) by striking The Secretary (1) In general The Secretary ; and (B) by adding at the end the following: (2) Provisional operation In lieu of the requirements of paragraph (1), the Secretary may authorize a railroad carrier or other entity to commence operation in revenue service of a positive train control system or component to the extent necessary to enable the safe implementation of positive train control systems in phases. .

Summary: Positive Train Control Enforcement and Implementation Act of 2015 This bill extends deadlines and modifies requirements for railroad carriers and providers of intercity or commuter rail passenger transportation to implement positive train control (PTC) systems. (A PTC system is a communications and signaling system designed to prevent train-to-train collisions, over-speed derailments, incursions into established work zone limits, and the movement of a train through a switch left in the wrong position. Railroads which carry passengers or have high-volume freight traffic with certain hazardous materials are required to implement a PTC system.) Within 60 days of enactment of this bill, each Class I railroad carrier (the largest operators by revenue) and provider of intercity or commuter rail passenger transportation must submit to the Department of Transportation (DOT) a plan for implementing PTC by December 31, 2018, instead of the December 31, 2015, deadline required under current law. DOT may extend the deadline if specified requirements are met. The revised plan must include a detailed schedule and sequence for fully implementing PTC in a manner that complies with specified regulations, and railroads must implement PTC in accordance with the plan. DOT may authorize a railroad carrier or other entity to begin the provisional operation of a PTC system without the required certification if it is necessary to enable the safe implementation of PTC in phases.