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Technical Reports

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Energy Intensity of Intercity Passenger Rail

This research report deals with the Energy Intensity of Intercity Rail Passenger Systems. Included in the energy evaluation are the impacts of operating conditions (speed, load factor) and train consists. The report also documents an extensive list of data used for evaluation purposes. Impact of...

Thermodynamic Properties of Liquefied Petroleum Gases

The thermodynamic properties of several liquefied petroleum gases (with particular emphasis on propane) are discussed in detail. It is concluded that the widely used propane data by Stearns and George are too inconsistent and too inaccurate to be used for mass flow calculations of propane and...

Two-Phase Flow Model Test Facility

This report describes test facilities for the investigation of two-phase flows. These facilities were developed under Phase I and built under Phase II of a DOT sponsored program entitled “SAFETY VALVE STUDY” which is being carried out at the University of Maryland, Department of Mechanical...

Tank Car Head Puncture Mechanisms

In a number of railroad accidents the shell heads of hazardous material tank cars have been punctured. This report is concerned with the description and analysis of head puncture mechanisms. Three classification yard accidents and one main line accident were studied in detail, train-to-train...

Impact Properties of Steels Taken from Four Failed Tank Cars

An overview of the results and metallurgical analyses of the findings of impact tests conducted at the National Bureau of Standards on samples of tank-car materials submitted by the Federal Railroad Administration is presented. The submitted samples were taken from tank cars which had been involved...

Rail Hazardous Material Tank Car Design Study

Tank cars containing flammable liquefied compressed gas ladings have been involved in many accidents involving death, injury, and large amounts of property damage. The losses have generally occurred following puncture of a tank in a derailment of from rough handling in terminal operations....

Proposed Qualifcation Requirements for Selected Railroad Jobs

This report proposes minimum, safety-related knowledge, performance and training requirements for the jobs of railroad engineer, conductor, brakeman and train dispatcher. Analyses performed were primarily based upon job and task analytic documentation already in existence, and were critically...