PTC-220 Leasing

Pursuant to the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (RSIA), most freight, intercity passenger, and commuter railroads are required to have an interoperable Positive Train Control (“PTC”) system in place. PTC systems are intended to reduce risk of rail accidents caused by human error, including train-to-train collisions, derailments caused by excessive speed, and unauthorized train movements in work zones. PTC wireless communications networks are intended to enable real-time information sharing between trains, rail wayside devices, and control centers, regarding train movement authorities, speed restrictions, train consist, position, and speed, and the state of signal and switch devices.

PTC-220 LLC is an alliance between the seven Class 1 railroads (BNSF, CN, CP, CSX, KCS, NS, UP) that was formed to facilitate the development and deployment of interoperable PTC communications systems to benefit both freight and commuter railroads in the United States. To serve this purpose, PTC-220 acquired a number of licenses in the 220 MHz Band. PTC-220 leases its 220 MHz spectrum under those licenses to member and non-member railroads. Those leases are filed with the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”). PTC-220 LLC operates through multiple committees made up of volunteers from the members. A team of engineers at MxV Rail handles the PTC network planning and systems requirements. The AAR Frequency Coordination office handles the PTC-220 lease filings to the FCC at the direction of PTC-220.

Contacts:
PTC-220 Leasing Information: Pierre Leclerc, email pierre.leclerc@alithya.com
Existing PTC-220 leases on file with the FCC: Paul Larson, email coordination@aar.com or call 719-584-0514