eLibrary Search
The FRA eLibrary contains all the documents that are found throughout the FRA Public Website. Multiple pages on the website may link to the same eLibrary item based on its set of metatdata.
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- Document resides on an external site for the record of source, links to the document are provided in context but not in the library as FRA does not maintain this record. This document lives on another website.
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- Document is historical and has been removed from library to avoid confusion with current publications.
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4
Apr
2014
Technical Reports
Quantification of the Effectiveness of Handheld Equipment for Ground Verification of Detected Rail Internal Defects
Subject
Rail and Infrastructure Integrity,
Track,
Tracks & Structures
Keywords: Ultrasonic phased arrays, conventional ultrasonic, rail flaw sizing, nondestructive testing
Abstract: The objective of this project was to quantify the effectiveness of the rail inspection ground verification process. More specifically, the project focused on comparing the...
Report Number
DOT/FRA/ORD-14/07
Office
RRD
3
Apr
2014
Technical Reports
Start Time Variability and Predictability in Railroad Train and Engine Freight and Passenger Service Employees
Subject
Human Factors,
Work Schedule & Sleep Patterns
Keywords: Work schedules, start time variability, fatigue, train and engine service, accident probability, FAST
Abstract: Start time variability in work schedules is often hypothesized to be a cause of railroad employee fatigue because unpredictable work start times prevent employees from planning...
Report Number
DOT/FRA/ORD-14/05
Office
RRD
21
Mar
2014
Technical Reports
Performance Evaluation of Concrete Railroad Ties on the Northeast Corridor
Subject
Track,
Tracks & Structures
Keywords: Concrete railroad ties, alkali-silica reaction (ASR), delayed ettringite formation (DEF), impact echo, material analysis, prestressing tendons, degradation mechanisms, petrographic analyses, bursting and splitting forces, transfer strength and length
Abstract: Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Inc. conducted an investigation into the factors that caused widespread failure in prestressed concrete railroad ties on the Northeast Corridor. The...
Report Number
DOT/FRA/RPD-14/03
Office
RRD
28
Jan
2014
Technical Reports
Best Practices and Strategies for Improving Rail Energy Efficiency
Keywords: Alternative fuels; best practices; commuter rail; diesel multiple units; efficient; ultra-clean; electric multiple units; emission reduction technologies; energy; environmental sustainability; freight rail; green; high-speed; hybrid; passenger; equipment
Abstract: In support of the FRA Energy, Environment, and Engine (E3) program, this study reviews and evaluates technology development opportunities, equipment upgrades, and best practices (...
Report Number
DOT/FRA/ORD-14/02
Office
RRD
30
Dec
2013
Technical Reports
Using Wheel Temperature Detector Technology to Monitor Railcar Brake System Effectiveness
Subject
Braking Systems,
Facilities & Test Equipment
Keywords: Wheel temperature detector, ineffective brake, air cut out, bad order, cold wheel
Abstract: In support of the FRA Energy, Environment, and Engine (E3) program, this study reviews and evaluates technology development opportunities, equipment upgrades, and best practices (...
Report Number
DOT/FRA/ORD-13/50
Office
RRD
30
Dec
2013
Technical Reports
Effect of Gate Skirts on Pedestrian Behavior at Highway-Rail Grade Crossings
Subject
Grade Crossing Pedestrian Safety,
Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Warning Systems,
Highway-Rail Grade Crossings,
Signal and Train Control
Keywords: Gate skirts, highway-rail, grade crossing, pedestrian behavior, pedestrian gates, violations, enhancement, safety, Train Activations
Abstract: This study evaluated the effect of gate skirts (barriers intended to block pedestrians from crossing under gates) in reducing the number of trespass violations.
Report Number
DOT/FRA/ORD-13/51
Office
RRD
19
Dec
2013
Technical Reports
Workstation Table Crashworthiness Tests
Subject
Facilities & Test Equipment,
Occupant Protection,
Crashworthiness - Passenger Equipment,
Passenger Rail,
Collision
Keywords: Crashworthiness, workstation table, full-scale train-to-train test, crash energy management, crush zones, rail cars, occupant survivability, collision, injury, impacts
Abstract: This report describes results from the Option C component of a research program aimed at improving crashworthiness of passenger train workstation tables. Research conducted in the...
Report Number
DOT/FRA/ORD-13/48
Office
RRD
1
Dec
2013
Technical Reports
Evaluation of Education and Outreach Methods and Strategies: A Case Study of a Web-Based Rail Safety Education Initiative
Subject
Grade Crossing and Trespass Outreach/Education,
Highway-Rail Grade Crossings,
Program Evaluation
Keywords: Highway-rail grade crossing; education; outreach; program evaluation; safety; Evaluation of Education and Outreach Methods and Strategies: A Case Study of a Web-Based Rail Safety Education Initiative
Abstract: Researchers evaluated the impact of a web-based education program (ProDriver Challenge) on highway-rail grade crossing safety by examining user feedback.
Report Number
DOT/FRA/ORD-14/09
Office
RDI-23
28
Oct
2013
Technical Reports
Collision of Amtrak Passenger Train and Norfolk Southern Freight Train—November 30, 2007, Chicago, Illinois
Subject
Accident Investigations,
Amtrak,
Freight Operations,
Crashworthiness - Passenger Equipment,
Passenger Rail,
Collision
Keywords: Transportation, safety, collision, rail accident investigation, crashworthiness, structures, dynamics
Abstract: On November 30, 2007, an Amtrak passenger train travelling at approximately 33 mph collided with the rear of a standing freight train in Chicago, Illinois. The locomotive of the...
Report Number
DOT/FRA/ORD-13/45
Office
RRD
28
Oct
2013
Technical Reports
Alternative Occupied Volume Integrity (OVI) Tests and Analyses
Subject
Facilities & Test Equipment,
Occupant Protection,
Crashworthiness - Passenger Equipment,
Passenger Rail
Keywords: Occupant volume integrity, testing, finite element analysis, passenger equipment, crashworthiness
Abstract: FRA, supported by the Volpe Center, conducted research on alternative methods of evaluating occupied volume integrity (OVI) in passenger railcars. Guided by this research, an...
Report Number
DOT/FRA/ORD-13/46
Office
RRD