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Community Corner

Things To Know: CBOSS PTC Project Update

CalTrain reports:

Communications Based Overlay Signal System (CBOSS) Positive Train Control (PTC) Project


The CBOSS PTC Project is an advanced signal system that will equip the corridor with federally-mandated safety technology and will increase system capacity to help accommodate future ridership demand.

The project will monitor and, if necessary, control train movement in the event of human error. This will increase safety by:

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  • Eliminating the risk of train-to-train collisions.
  • Reducing risk of potential derailments by enforcing speed limits.
  • Providing additional safety for railroad workers on the tracks.  
  • Improving grade crossing performance to reduce gate downtime and improve local traffic circulation.


The CBOSS PTC Project is also a key component of the Caltrain Modernization Program, which will electrify the Caltrain Corridor by 2019. An electrified Caltrain will be cleaner, quieter, and will upgrade the system to provide faster and/or more frequent service to more stations and more riders.


To implement the project, Caltrain will be identifying utilities, digging a small trench and/or boring close to the tracks to install a fiber optic cable. In order to maintain daytime train service, Caltrain will be performing some of this work at night. 

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