Amtrak cuts Detroit-Chicago travel time - Industry Today - Brief Article

Railway Track and Structures, June, 2001

Amtrak cut 15 minutes off the travel time between Detroit and Chicago and expects to further reduce the time when it raises speeds to 90 mph this Summer as it works with the Michigan Department of Transportation to introduce high-speed rail to the Midwest.

With approval of the Federal Railroad Administration, Amtrak activated the first Positive Train Control system in North America on a 65-mile stretch of track between Niles and Kalamazoo. Through the use of satellite technology, PTC remotely monitors the speed of a train and can bring the train to a stop in an emergency. The Michigan track marks the first use of PTC in North America.

PTC will enable Amtrak this Summer to increase top speeds between Niles and Kalamazoo from 79 mph to 90 mph and further reduce travel times. Ultimately, PTC will help Amtrak increase speeds to 110 mph on this corridor.

Also, Amtrak will double its passenger rail services in Florida, add a new coastline route from Jacksonville to West Palm Beach and Miami, and serve eight new communities under an operating agreement signed recently with the Florida East Coast.