Today we unveil important new technology that will have a lasting, positive impact on passenger rail safety across the country. Thankfully, serious passenger train accidents are rare, but being prepared is the hallmark of any good emergency response plan.

And being better prepared is why the Federal Railroad Administration developed, designed and built this state of the art Passenger Rail Vehicle Emergency Evacuation Simulator.

When a passenger rail car is off the tracks and on its side, getting the people out safely and in a timely manner is of utmost importance. This innovative simulator will help us develop better emergency evacuation practices and safety equipment for the benefit of millions of Americans who ride the rails each and every day.

The simulator has the unique ability to rollover a full-sized commuter rail car up to 180 degrees to simulate a train derailment. That means that emergency responders have a new training tool to practice safe and effective passenger evacuation techniques. And, researchers can test new safety equipment designs for things such as emergency lighting, doors and windows to help passengers find their own way out.

Rail safety requires partnerships and I thank the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority for its enthusiasm in agreeing to locate this unique simulator at its emergency response training facility. Cities with passenger train services will be able to send their first responders here to improve their rescue skills and be better prepared for the unthinkable. And I want to thank ENSCO for their ability to design and build this one of a kind piece of safety equipment.

The Federal Railroad Administration’s rail safety program covers much more than just improving passenger evacuation after an accident. We are working to strengthen the structural integrity of passenger rail cars, designing interior features such as seats and worktables that reduce passenger injuries, and supporting efforts to reduce hazards along rail corridors where passenger trains operate.

For example, this past March FRA Administrator Joseph Boardman and U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta traveled to the FRA test facility in Colorado to witness a full-scale crash test where we deliberately ran a passenger train into a standing locomotive. It was a successful test of new Crash Energy Management technology that works as a giant shock absorber to keep the train from derailing after impact and prevents the passenger seating areas from being crushed.

But should a passenger train leave the tracks, the research and training simulator we are unveiling today will allow police, fire and other first responders to be better prepared to perform their rescue missions. And that is a positive development for passenger rail safety which we all should be proud to be a part of.

Thank you.

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