New Haven – Waterbury Positive Train Control Installation

The implementation of Positive Train Control (PTC) was mandated by Congress with the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008. The PTC system helped monitor and control a train’s movement as a means of preventing collisions, overspeed derailments, incursions into established work zone limits, and the movement of a train through a switch left in the wrong position. The PTC was installed along 795 miles of track in New York and Connecticut. The PTC work in Connecticut included the mainline from the New York State Line to New Haven, including the New Canaan, Danbury, and Waterbury branches.

This project specifically consisted of designing cab signals and the installation of the PTC system from the Waterbury branch feeding into the Metro-North Railroad Main Line to enhance rail travel in Connecticut. The added signals improved services, which allowed multiple trains to operate bidirectionally and to build sufficient sidings so that oncoming trains can pass at various points without extensive delays.

Garg’s responsibilities included, but were not limited to:

• Plan reviews to determine completeness, accuracy, and best practices.
• Field Engineering of required changes made necessary by field conditions.
• Constructability review to assess the viability of the plans and specifications to mitigate potential conflicts and to ensure optimum construction phasing.
• Construction Engineering and Inspection of work performed by contractors, suppliers, manufacturers, and Metro-North Railroad work crews.
• Project Management including staffing allocation, cost control, and adherence to schedule.