Review of Codes, Standards, and Regulations for Natural Gas Locomotives
Review of Codes, Standards, and Regulations for Natural Gas Locomotives Appendix
Technical Reports
Quantification of the Effectiveness of Handheld Equipment for Ground Verification of Detected Rail Internal Defects
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 effectiveness of conventional versus phased array probes to manually detect and size internal rail defects. Signal detection...Proposed Key Elements of a Critical Incident Intervention Program for Reducing the Effects of Potentially Traumatic Exposure on Train Crews to Grade Crossing and Trespasser Incidents
This independent report presents work conducted regarding project FR-RDD-0024-11-01 to advise and support the formulation of regulations and supporting materials concerning “critical incident” response plans for rail carriers covered by the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008, Sec. 410. This...
Effect of Dynamic Envelope Pavement Markings on Vehicle Driver Behavior at a Highway-Rail Grade Crossing
The U. S. Department of Transportation’s (U.S. DOT) Research and Innovative Technology Administration’s (RITA) John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center), under the direction of the U.S. DOT Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Office of Research and Development (R&...
Start Time Variability and Predictability in Railroad Train and Engine Freight and Passenger Service Employees
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 sleep and personal activities. This report examines work start time differences from three different databases previously...Performance Evaluation of Concrete Railroad Ties on the Northeast Corridor
Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Inc. conducted an investigation into the factors that caused widespread failure in prestressed concrete railroad ties on the Northeast Corridor. The problem was apparent in ties manufactured and installed circa 1994–1998. The work included a literature search, review of...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...