The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey’s (PANYNJ) Trans-Hudson rail rapid transit system (PATH) has updated information on its implementation of Positive Train Control (PTC) and its program of sleep apnea screening for train engineers.
The agency is on target to meet a federal deadline to have PTC in place and operational by the end of 2018 and approximately 91 percent of PATH employees have been trained in PTC. Path has also installed Communications-based Train Control (CBTC) equipment on 216 of 230 passenger cars through the end of December.
PATH has also noted that it screens all of its engineers for potential sleep apnea during the pre-employment process, and annually during regular physical exams. Engineers believed to be at risk for sleep apnea are referred for evaluation, and if confirmed are held out of service until cleared by medical professionals following overnight sleep analysis. These employees must undergo treatment and are regularly monitored for compliance.
“PATH's number one priority remains the safety of our passengers and employees,” said Michael Marino, PATH director/general manager. “While we perform rigorous safety checkpoints on a regular basis throughout the system, given recent events we're going the extra mile to enhance our safety programs as an added precaution.”
The agency is also increasing inspections under an existing rule that mandates engineers approaching bumping blocks should be traveling 8 miles per hour or less. PATH examiners conducted nearly 140 observational tests through the rule in 2016, with 100-percent compliance. In 2017, PATH will use data recorded in the cars to gauge compliance with this safety requirement and rely on additional observational techniques to help measure compliance.