49 CFR §236.1013
Verified against eCFR.gov as of June 20, 2026View official text on eCFR.gov ↗
- (a)For a PTC system to obtain a Type Approval from FRA, the PTCDP shall be filed in accordance with § 236.1009 and shall include:
- (1)A complete description of the PTC system, including a list of all PTC system components and their physical relationships in the subsystem or system;
- (2)A description of the railroad operation or categories of operations on which the PTC system is designed to be used, including train movement density (passenger, freight), operating speeds (including a thorough explanation of intended compliance with § 236.1007), track characteristics, and railroad operating rules;
- (3)An operational concepts document, including a list with complete descriptions of all functions which the PTC system will perform to enhance or preserve safety;
- (4)A document describing the manner in which the PTC system architecture satisfies safety requirements;
- (5)A preliminary human factors analysis, including a complete description of all human-machine interfaces and the impact of interoperability requirements on the same;
- (6)An analysis of the applicability to the PTC system of the requirements of subparts A through G of this part that may no longer apply or are satisfied by the PTC system using an alternative method, and a complete explanation of the manner in which those requirements are otherwise fulfilled;
- (7)A prioritized service restoration and mitigation plan and a description of the necessary security measures for the system;
- (8)A description of target safety levels (e.g., MTTHE for major subsystems as defined in subpart H of this part), including requirements for system availability and a description of all backup methods of operation and any critical assumptions associated with the target levels;
- (9)A complete description of how the PTC system will enforce authorities and signal indications;
- (10)A description of the deviation which may be proposed under § 236.1029(c), if applicable; and
- (11)A complete description of how the PTC system will appropriately and timely enforce all integrated hazard detectors in accordance with § 236.1005(c)(3), if applicable.
- (b)If the Associate Administrator finds that the system described in the PTCDP would satisfy the requirements for PTC systems under this subpart and that the applicant has made a reasonable showing that a system built to the stated requirements would achieve the level of safety mandated for such a system under § 236.1015, the Associate Administrator may grant a numbered Type Approval for the system.
- (c)Each Type Approval shall be valid for a period of 5 years, subject to automatic and indefinite extension provided that at least one PTC System Certification using the subject PTC system has been issued within that period and not revoked.
- (d)The Associate Administrator may prescribe special conditions, amendments, and restrictions to any Type Approval as necessary for safety.
- (e)If submitted, an NPI must contain the following information:
- (1)A description of the railroad operation or categories of operations on which the proposed PTC system is designed to be used, including train movement density (passenger, freight), operating speeds (including a thorough explanation of intended compliance with § 236.1007), track characteristics, and railroad operating rules;
- (2)An operational concepts document, including a list with complete descriptions of all functions that the proposed PTC system will perform to enhance or preserve safety;
- (3)A description of target safety levels (e.g., MTTHE for major subsystems as defined in subpart H of this part), including requirements for system availability and a description of all backup methods of operation and any critical assumptions associated with the target levels;
- (4)A complete description of how the proposed PTC system will enforce authorities and signal indications; and
- (5)A complete description of how the proposed PTC system will appropriately and timely enforce all integrated hazard detectors in accordance with § 236.1005(c)(3), if applicable.