Positive Train Control Project

Project Overview

The Positive Train Control (PTC) Project is an advanced signal system that equips the corridor with federally-mandated safety technology. PTC will be interoperable with all other rail systems that access the Caltrain corridor, including commuter rail, freight rail and, in the future, high-speed rail. The Caltrain PTC system was certified by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) in December 2020. 

PTC is a key component of the Caltrain Modernization Program that will electrify and upgrade the performance, operating efficiency, capacity, safety and reliability of Caltrain’s commuter rail service, providing a modernized rail service that will help meet growing ridership demand between San Francisco and San Jose.

Goals & Benefits

PTC will monitor and, if necessary, control train movement in the event of human error. This will increase safety on the Caltrain corridor by preventing: 

  • Train-to-train collisions
  • Overspeed derailments
  • Movements through misaligned switches
  • Incursions through work zones 

Project Funding

The PTC Project is funded through a combination of local, regional, state, and federal sources.

Prop 1A - State $105,445
Prop 1B - State $28,753
Federal $96,635
Local $57,669
Total $289,502

Resources

Photo Gallery
PTC Document Library