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Technical Reports

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Railroad Classification Yard Technology: A Survey and Assessment

This report documents a survey and assessment of the current state of the art in rail freight-car classification yard technology. The major objective was the identification of research and development necessary for technological improvements in railroad classification yards. This involved a...

A Study of Linear Induction Motor Characteristics: The Oberretl Model

The Oberretl theory of the double-sided linear induction motor is examined, starting with the idealized model and accompanying assumptions, and ending with relations for predicted thrust, airgap power, and motor efficiency. The effect of varying the maximum transverse harmonic order on the...

Test Specification #7115 for Switchyard Impact Tests (RPI-AAR Phase 15)

This report contains information regarding test specification #7115 for switchyard impact tests. It covers test requirements, photo coverage requirements, instrumentation requirements, pre-test measurement requirements, data recording and reduction requirements, physical pre-test measurement...

Test Plan for LRC Train Service Evaluation

This report demonstrates the performance of the LRC Train to the FRA, Burlington Northern, and the AAR in order to show safe operation at speeds in curves in excess of that permitted by AAR and FRA standards in unbalance in curves. All speeds will, however, be within other FRA track safety...

Technical Background On Linear Induction Motors in Transportation

This report, which is comprised of seven technical papers on the subject, provides a comprehensive background on Linear Induction Motors in transportation. The first paper forms a convenient introduction to the Linear Induction Motor and includes several different configurations of the motor....

Standard Ride Quality Data Reduction Package

This report deals with software programs and analysis relating to vehicle ride vibration data. Descriptions of the digitizing procedure, both theoretical and operational, are given. A detailed description of the analysis procedures is given, along with detailed descriptions of the software. These...

Safety Life Cycle Program Assessment Task 3: FAST Data Analysis and Review

The purpose of the overall program is to perform an assessment for the applicability of current safe-life technology to railroad vehicle systems and components. The effort is divided into six primary tasks. Task 1 involves the assessment of railroad industry use of safe-life concepts. Task 2 is...

Ride Quality Test Results- Canadian LRC Testing

This report describes the results of test RR-251, whose purpose was to collect vehicle vibration data on the Canadian LRC loco-motive and coach. Data was collected using tri-axial linear accelerometers placed over both the trucks of the locomotive and over the trailing truck of the coach. Details...