Dark territory

For the film, see Under Siege 2: Dark Territory.

Dark territory is a term used in the North American railroad industry to describe a section of track not controlled by signals. Train movements in dark territory are controlled by track warrants or train order operation, with train dispatchers issuing orders by radio communication with train engineers.^[1]

Safety concerns

As of 2011 there are over 7,000 rail junctions in the U.S. that are not controlled by signals.^[2] This situation has occasionally resulted in train wrecks, some with fatalities, related to the complexities and miscommunications that may occur within the track warrant system.^[1] Since 1991 the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) had recommended that railroads be required to install positive train control (PTC) systems to prevent such accidents.^[3] NTSB also recommended that railroads revise the use of certain types of track warrants to avoid miscommunication.^[1] In 2008 Congress passed a law requiring installation of PTC technology in most of the U.S. rail network by 2015.^[4][2]

Dark territory on specific railroads

BNSF Railway

The Gateway Subdivision of BNSF Railway, in California and Oregon, is unsignalled and operates with track warrant control (TWC).^[5]

Iowa, Chicago and Eastern Railroad

Most of the Owatonna Subdivision of the Iowa, Chicago and Eastern Railroad, a 124 mile (200 km) freight line in Iowa and Minnesota, is not signalled. The line is operated with TWC.^[6]

Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad

The Waseca Subdivision of the Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad, a 103 mile (166 km) freight line in Minnesota, is not signalled and uses TWC.^[6] Several other portions of the railroad converted to signalled operation in 2008.^[7]

Long Island Rail Road

The Long Island Rail Road in New York, the nation's busiest commuter railroad, still operates two sections of track in dark territory. The Montauk Branch between Speonk station and Montauk, as well as the Main Line between Ronkonkoma and Greenport, operate without any signalling or Automatic Train Control system. Train crews must receive permission from the Block Operator to traverse those sections of the railroad in the form of train orders, in addition to strictly adhering to the rules and special instructions of the railroad's timetable.

See also

• Glossary of rail terminology
• General Code of Operating Rules
• North American railway signalling

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)(2006). Washington, D.C. "Failure to Adhere to Track Warrant Control Rules Caused Collision of Two BNSF Trains in Gunter, Texas, NTSB Says." Press Release, June 13, 2006.
2. ^ ^{a b} Elmquist, Sonja (2011-01-19). "GE-Tessco Train-Safety Gear to Cover "‘Dark Territory’". Bloomberg.com. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-19/ge-tessco-form-partnership-to-sell-rail-technology.html. 
3. ^ NTSB (1991). "Original 'Most Wanted' List of Transportation Safety Improvements, as adopted September 1990." Note: The original NTSB list used the term "Positive Train Separation," which was revised to "Positive Train Control Systems" in 1991.
4. ^ U.S. Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008, Pub.L. 110-432, 122 Stat. 4848, 49 U.S.C. § 20101. Approved 2008-10-16.
5. ^ U.S. Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Washington, DC (2005). "Accident Investigation Report HQ-2005-03: Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF), Bieber, California, January 8, 2005." Accessed 2011-04-29.
6. ^ ^{a b} Minnesota Department of Transportation, St. Paul, MN (2009)."Freight Rail Supply and Demand; Draft Technical Memorandum." Minnesota Comprehensive Statewide Freight and Passenger Rail Plan. p. 3-12.
7. ^ Stagl, Jeff (10 2008). "Suppliers tweak train-control systems to help railroads avoid dark territory accidents". Progressive Railroading (Milwaukee, WI: Trade Press Media Group). http://www.progressiverailroading.com/pr/article/Suppliers-tweak-traincontrol-systems-to-help-railroads-avoid-dark-territory-accidents--18187. 

• FRA (2005). "Railroad Switch Safety Demonstration Begins Testing." Press Release, November 14, 2005.