New Mexico Railrunner needs $50 million for safety upgrade
Despite a federal deadline to install a safety upgrade to New Mexico’s Rail Runner line, state transportation officials said Sunday that the funding does not exist.
The state Department of Transportation said there is no plan to cover the $50 million cost for safety technology designed to prevent collisions and derailments. The rail system must implement the new technology by Dec. 31, according to the Federal Railroad Administration. The agency is threatening to fine railroad owners who don’t comply.
Sarah Feinberg, acting administrator of the federal agency, told the House transportation committee last week that the “positive train control” technology is “absolutely necessary” and she planned to enforce its installation.
The technology, known as PTC, automatically slows trains that reach dangerous speeds through human error. It uses GPS and other devices to detect when trains are going too fast or making unauthorized movements.
Read more: http://www.santafenewmexican.com/new-mexico-railrunner-needs-million-for-safety-upgrade/article_d7eee75c-538d-5068-ba79-b2b33145b209.html
= new reply since forum marked as read
