Bombardier taps Lilee Systems for MTA PTC

Bombardier Transportation has selected Lilee Systems to assist in the design and build of Positive Train Control (PTC) for New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). The effort involves installation of wireless and wired ACSES II communications for both the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and Metro-North Railroad.

The agreement, announced Wednesday, May 7, 2014, means Lilee Systems will be responsible for end-to-end ACSES II PTC communications performance, all 220 MHz RF (radio frequency) propagation analysis, measurement and implementation, RF interference mitigation, wireless and wired network planning, backup cellular and Wi-Fi communications, including the Lilee Systems CMU-2100 family of TransAir Communications Managers for all onboard, wayside, and back office locations. The CMU-2100 family features integrated command, control, and information management for communicating critical PTC messaging with flexibility, precision, and efficiency.

“We chose Lilee Systems because of its demonstrated 220 MHz RF communications expertise, broad line of high performance ACSES II PTC communications products, and ability to address effectively complex customer requirements with integrated solutions and services that encompass the full spectrum of NYMTA requirements,” said Rajendra Jadhav, vice president and the head of Americas for Bombardier Transportation Rail Control Solutions.

“Lilee Systems is the only company that offers communications systems engineering and network development and backs it up with a deep portfolio of PTC communications products, all of which makes Lilee Systems a one-stop shop for PTC implementation,” Jadhav said. “As a result, MTA will be well equipped with a comprehensive, proven communications solution that enables it to meet its PTC compliance schedule.”

Lilee Vice President of Strategic Development Jon Adams said, “This award establishes Lilee Systems as a key supplier of integrated communications networks for PTC systems.” He added, “Our CMU-2100 family is the only end-to-end solution that provides seamless interoperability between MTA and the Northeast Corridor (NEC) passenger railroads. By bringing the same expertise to MTA, we can ensure the interoperability that is so critical to PTC along the heavily traveled NEC.” Metro-North’s New Haven Line is shared by Amtrak and serves as part of the NEC between New Haven, Conn., and New Rochelle, N.Y.

Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta, now a member of the Lilee Systems Board of Directors, believes this project should be a model for other agencies charged with implementing PTC technologies. “The need for PTC is not new, but adoption and implementation has been slow,” he said. “I hope Lilee’s collaboration with Bombardier on this massive project ignites movement in the industry for meeting the PTC mandate. People’s lives depend on it.”