Technical Reports
Load Environment of Rail Joint Bars – Phase I Effects of Track Parameters on Rail Joint Stresses and Crack Growth
The load environment of joint bars was assessed under a variety of loading and track conditions. Bending stresses, thermal stresses, and residual stresses were measured on commonly used joint bars. Crack growth rates from artificially induced cracks were also monitored. This study provides the...Cost-Benefit Analysis of Alternative Fuels and Motive Designs
This project was funded by the Federal Railroad Administration to better understand the potential cost and benefits of using alternative fuels for U.S. freight and passenger locomotive operations. The framework for a decision model was developed by Transportation Technology Center, Inc., to...Research and Development of Ultrasonic Tomography Technology for Three-Dimensional Imaging of Internal Rail Flaws: Modeling and Simulation
This report covers the work performed under the FRA High-Speed BAA 2010–2011 program to demonstrate the technology of ultrasonic tomography for 3-D imaging of internal rail flaws. There is a need to develop new technologies that are able to quantify characteristics of the internal rail flaws so as...Crippling Load Test of Budd Pioneer Car 244, Test 3
This report summarizes Test 3, a crippling load test on Budd Pioneer Car 244, conducted on June 28, 2011. Before the crippling load test, Transportation Technology Center, Inc., conducted two 800,000-pound (lb) quasi-static tests on Car 244 in accordance with Code of Federal Regulations 49 CFR 239....Application of Welded Steel Sandwich Panels for Tank Car Shell Impact Protection
This report describes research conducted to examine the application of sandwich structure technology to provide protection against the threat of an indenter striking the side or shell of a tank car in the event of an accident. This research was conducted in two phases over a 3-year period. Testing...Passenger Train Emergency Systems: Review of Egress Variables and Egress Simulation Models
This report is a revised version of the original which can be found at DOT/FRA/ORD-13/22 Revision A