Menendez, Booker Announce $10M to Advance Implementation of Life-Saving Technology along NJ Transit’s Rail Lines

U.S. Senators Bob Menendez, the ranking member of the Senate's mass transit subcommittee, and Cory Booker, the top-ranking Democrat on the Senate subcommittee overseeing America's rail infrastructure, today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded New Jersey Transit (NJT) $10 million to advance its implementation of Positive Train Control (PTC) along its rail lines.

"This is good news for New Jersey Transit and its riders," said Sen. Menendez. "Positive Train Control is a proven life-saving technology that can automatically slow down a train when its operator cannot or becomes incapacitated for any reason. Full implementation of PTC will only make our rails safer and prevent tragedy. New Jersey Transit riders deserve a safe and reliable system, and I will continue to fight for federal resources to make that possible."

"For too long we have seen funding for our transportation infrastructure fall woefully short, jeopardizing the very safety of rail passengers," said Sen. Booker. "Recent rail incidents along the NEC serve as a reminder that we can't sit idly by and assume safety will take care of itself. This federal investment will prevent derailments and save lives."

In November, Sens. Menendez and Booker led a delegation letter in support of NJT's application for PTC funding that was cosigned by U.S. Representatives Chris Smith (N.J.-04), Frank Pallone (N.J.-06), Rodney Frelinghuysen (N.J.-11), Frank LoBiondo (N.J.-02), Bill Pascrell, Jr. (N.J.-09), Albio Sires (N.J.-08), Leonard Lance (N.J.-07), Donald Payne, Jr. (N.J.-10), Donald Norcross (N.J.-01), Bonnie Watson Coleman (N.J.-12) and Tom MacArthur (N.J.-03).

On Sept. 29, 2016, a train on NJT's Pascack Valley Line crashed into the Hoboken Terminal, killing a woman on the platform and injuring more than 100. A preliminary report issued by the National Transportation Safety Board found that the train abruptly accelerated to more than twice the posted speed limit just moments before impact; the track, signals and brakes were functioning as designed.

According to its June 2016 filing to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), NJT had made zero progress on PTC despite a Dec. 2018 federally-imposed deadline for completion.

The FAST Act, the national transportation legislation passed in 2015, included $199 million in competitive grants for passenger railroads to implement PTC. NJT had requested $10 million to fund the third phase of its Advanced Speed Enforcement System II (ASESII), a system designed to interface with Amtrak's PTC technology and with future systems planned by the region's freight railroads. Specifically, the grant will allow for the purchase of equipment kits, along with the installation, testing, and commissioning of this equipment.

Read this original document at: https://www.menendez.senate.gov/news-and-events/press/menendez-booker-announce-10m-to-advance-implementation-of-life-saving-technology-along-nj-transits-rail-lines-