News Releases

Safety

Union Pacific's Positive Train Control Implementation Reaches New Milestones

Omaha, Neb., March 15, 2017

Union Pacific continues to make strides implementing positive train control, closing 2016 with several key milestones:

  • More than a quarter (26%) of track segments are PTC-ready. These 59 track segments, or subdivisions, are equipped with wayside devices (signals, switches and radios) and have defined GPS coordinates, which identify thousands of precise locations for systemwide PTC coordination. The PTC-ready segments cover a wide swath of UP's Western Region, from Southern California to Portland; from Portland to Pocatello, Idaho; and from Roseville, California, through Reno to Elko, Nevada.
  • Training efforts continue with more than 7,000 employees (18%) educated on PTC operations. Diverse training materials are tailored to a variety of employee roles, including engineer, conductor, dispatcher, maintenance of way/engineering, mechanical, signal, telecom and information technologies.

Additional progress includes:

  • 64% of required locomotives equipped with PTC technology.
  • 85% of required radio towers equipped with PTC technology.
  • 12% of the railroad's required route miles in PTC operation.
  • UP's PTC Safety Plan submission to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
  • UP acquiring the necessary spectrum to support PTC operations.

Original | PTC Progress Chart, 4th Quarter 2016

February 2017 System Update

Developing and implementing a PTC system is a multi-dimensional process requiring a cross-functional, systemwide approach. Union Pacific's PTC system consists of multiple technologies functioning together to constantly monitor and manage train movements. These involve integrating signal and telecom elements; GPS; wayside, base station and locomotive radios; antennas and satellites – all to predict whether the train crew should be alerted to take action or if the technology should take control to slow or stop the train.

Through Dec. 31, 2016, Union Pacific:

  • Invested $2.3 billion in PTC. Union Pacific's current estimate for PTC's total cost is about $2.9 billion.
  • Installed 93 percent, or 16,008 miles, of total route miles with PTC signal hardware.
  • Partially installed PTC hardware on 93 percent of its 5,656 locomotives earmarked for the technology.
  • Equipped 2,441 locomotives with PTC hardware and software for revenue service demonstration (a test of the PTC system in a defined rail corridor).
  • Installed 93 percent of the wayside antennas needed to support PTC along the company's right of way.

Original | PTC Implementation Map, 4th Quarter 2016

ABOUT UNION PACIFIC

Union Pacific Railroad is the principal operating company of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP). One of America's most recognized companies, Union Pacific Railroad connects 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country by rail, providing a critical link in the global supply chain. From 2007-2016, Union Pacific invested approximately $34 billion in its network and operations to support America's transportation infrastructure. The railroad's diversified business mix includes Agricultural Products, Automotive, Chemicals, Coal, Industrial Products and Intermodal. Union Pacific serves many of the fastest-growing U.S. population centers, operates from all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways, connects with Canada's rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major Mexico gateways. Union Pacific provides value to its roughly 10,000 customers by delivering products in a safe, reliable, fuel-efficient and environmentally responsible manner.

 

 

 

The statements and information contained in the news releases provided by Union Pacific speak only as of the date issued. Such information by its nature may become outdated, and investors should not assume that the statements and information contained in Union Pacific's news releases remain current after the date issued. Union Pacific makes no commitment, and disclaims any duty, to update any of this information.

Positive Train Control

Positive Train Control Progress

Systemwide PTC Implementation Progress

Media Contact

Jeff DeGraff
281-350-7771
jdegraff@up.com
@degraff_up