Technical Reports
Impact of Blocked Highway/Rail Grade Crossings on Emergency Response Services
Given the growth in both rail and highway traffic, it is likely that the problem of blocked crossings will increase in the future. Railroads and communities around the country, working together, have crafted a number of solutions to the problem. These remedies range from grade separations, which...Best Practices and Strategies for Improving Rail Energy Efficiency
In support of the FRA Energy, Environment, and Engine (E3) program, this study reviews and evaluates technology development opportunities, equipment upgrades, and best practices (BPs) of international and U.S. passenger and freight rail industry segments for improving energy efficiency (E2)...Effect of Gate Skirts on Pedestrian Behavior at Highway-Rail Grade Crossings
The Federal Railroad Administration was interested in evaluating one type of pedestrian safety device, commonly known as gate skirts, that consists of a secondary horizontal hanging gate under the existing pedestrian gate to better block access to the crossing by pedestrians who gain...
Using Wheel Temperature Detector Technology to Monitor Railcar Brake System Effectiveness
In support of the FRA Energy, Environment, and Engine (E3) program, this study reviews and evaluates technology development opportunities, equipment upgrades, and best practices (BPs) of international and U.S. passenger and freight rail industry segments for improving energy efficiency (E2)...Workstation Table Crashworthiness Tests
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 Base, Option A, and Option B components of the program was focused on developing a prototype design for a crashworthy...Alternative Occupied Volume Integrity (OVI) Tests and Analyses
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 alternative methodology for evaluating OVI that ensures an equivalent or greater level of safety than that provided by the...Collision of Amtrak Passenger Train and Norfolk Southern Freight Train—November 30, 2007, Chicago, Illinois
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 passenger train overrode the rear car of the freight train and came to rest on top of the rear car. The rest of the cars...Feasibility Study of Fiber-Optic Technology for Broken Rail Detection
This report describes the activities and presents the results of a feasibility study to examine the viability of using fiber-optic acoustic technologies to detect broken rails in railroad tracks. A fiber-optic test bed was constructed at Transportation Technology Center (TTC) that consisted of...Biodiesel Intercity Passenger Rail Revenue Service Test: Appendix J - Chevron Oronite Evaluation of B20
Biodiesel Intercity Passenger Rail Revenue Service Test Report