Friday, October 23, 1998 (Washington, DC)

U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney E. Slater today announced a $3.8 million Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) grant to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to support an advanced positive train control (PTC) demonstration project that will operate on a designated high-speed rail corridor between Chicago and St. Louis on track owned by the Union Pacific Railroad.

The project will demonstrate the use of global positioning locators and computer controlled advanced radio systems to prevent train collisions and unauthorized train operating speeds.

"Safety is President Clinton’s highest transportation priority," Secretary Slater said. "This positive train control demonstration will test technology that reflects our commitment to ensuring that the U.S. rail transportation system remains the safest in the world both today and into the 21st century."

In early 1998, the nation’s freight railroads, represented by the Association of American Railroads (AAR), determined that the Illinois PTC project would be a beneficial starting point for national development of the system. The AAR Board of Directors has committed nearly

$20 million to support the project over the next four years during which time there will be a strong emphasis on cost-effectiveness of new PTC technology.

The $3.8 million awarded today brings the total federal investment in this project to $10.8 million. IDOT also is providing substantial support to the project and is making additional improvements to the corridor.

"This partnership will benefit the entire rail industry by proving the benefits of positive train control and ensuring safety by optimizing the use of capital assets for both freight service and high-speed passenger rail operations," FRA Administrator Jolene M. Molitoris said. "We look forward to continuing work with AAR and IDOT on these cutting edge technologies that will increase safety and efficiency for America’s railroads."