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Technical Reports

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Monitoring Longitudinal Rail Stress Using Diffuse Ultrasonic Backscatter

In this report, research was conducted at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln pertaining to the use of ultrasound scattering from polycrystalline grains to estimate and monitor stress in rail. The report presents a comprehensive discussion of the theoretical model of the scattering process,...

Passenger Car Crippling End-Load Test and Analyses

The Transportation Technology Center, Inc. (TTCI) performed a series of full-scale tests and a finite element analysis (FEA) in a case study that may become a model for manufacturers seeking to use the waiver process of Tier I crashworthiness and occupant protection standards to qualify railcars...

Hybrid Locomotive for Energy Savings and Reduced Emissions

Norfolk Southern Corporation (NS) and Pennsylvania State University tested several different battery systems in hybrid locomotives. Advanced lithium-ion battery technology was the only kind that displayed the capacity to perform in heavy switching or local service. Testing proved hybrid...

Assessment of Battery Technology for Rail Propulsion Application

The study’s authors conducted a review of various battery chemistries, including information on basic electrochemistry and the critical parameters that drive battery design and sizing. The authors examined the performance, life cycle, and safety of lead-acid, lead-carbon, nickel cadmium, nickel...

Blunt Impact Tests of Retired Passenger Locomotive Fuel Tanks

The Transportation Technology Center, Inc. conducted impact tests on three locomotive fuel tanks as part of the Federal Railroad Administration’s locomotive fuel tank crashworthiness improvement program. Three fuel tanks, two from EMD F40PH locomotives and one from an EMD F40 locomotive, served as...

Safety Culture: A Significant Influence on Safety in Transportation

An organization’s safety culture can influence safety outcomes. Research and experience show that when safety culture is strong, accidents are less frequent and less severe. As a result, building and maintaining strong safety cultures should be a top priority across the transportation industry....