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RTD Tests New Train Safety Technology, 13 Stops Closed Throughout The Day

DENVER (CBS4) - The A-Line to the Denver International Airport will undergo testing for a new "Positive Train Control" system starting on Monday.

The system uses GPS and communication based systems to identify unsafe situations like high speed and give the driver a warning. If the driver doesn't respond, the train will automatically be slowed.

"This is life-saving technology that we're implementing and if we can avoid those catastrophic accidents from happening of course that's what we want to do," said RTD spokeswoman Tara Bettale.

Testing will take place at 13 crossings on the A-Line from 8 a.m. through 4 p.m., closing the stops for 15 minutes at a time all week. There will be a brief break at noon.

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(credit: CBS)

The positive train control is designed to control or stop a speeding train before a catastrophe.

"The train would be given a warning and the operator would need to comply to that warning within eight seconds and if he or she fails to do so the train would automatically slow to a stop," said Bettale.

The top speed for the commuter rail trains is 79 mph. The tests encompass every facet of the system from communication to reaction time for the trains.

"We're making sure the communication towers are working, that the train is operating properly, that the operators know what to do in case those things happen," said Bettale.

Drivers are advised to find alternate routes during the testing phase.

Once the technology is implemented, Denver's trains will be the first in the nation to have PTC built into the system, meeting a new federal safety standard.

"Also to ensure the public we have truly one of the safest systems in the country," said Bettale.

The A-line will open in April 2016.

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