General
Characterization of Track Geometry for Various Operational Conditions
This report characterizes the amplitude and wavelength content of the current track geometry environment of the United States railroad system and examines the combination of geometric parameters for different operational conditions. The analyzed track geometry dataset consists of over 49,000...
Safety Advisory 2023-04; High-Impact Wheels Causing Damage to Rails and Track
This report characterizes the amplitude and wavelength content of the current track geometry environment of the United States railroad system and examines the combination of geometric parameters for different operational conditions. The analyzed track geometry dataset consists of over 49,000...Torsional Strength and Stiffness of a Passenger Car Coupling System
Between September 2019 and June 2022, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) sponsored a research team from Sharma & Associates to model and test the torsional strength of a passenger car coupling system to understand the performance of coupling systems in train accidents and to enhance...
Ventilation Design and Procedures for Passenger Rail
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) sponsored research by the John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center) to study the principles of fire growth and smoke management, as well as the current state of standards and regulation in the US and abroad. This study was in...HMG 104 – Tank Car, Covered Hopper Car, Pressure Differential Car
Clarifies issues regarding AAR Class 207 carsAutonomous Inspection System Based on Passive Sensing and Anomaly Detection
Detecting poor track conditions before they become safety-critical is essential for improving the safety and efficiency of railroads. To this end, autonomous track inspection technologies are beneficial, since established manual inspection methods are time-consuming and require significant track...
Tests To Create Tread Buildup On Railroad Wheels
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Office of Research, Development, and Technology and the Association of American Railroads (AAR) support research conducted by Transportation Technology Center, Inc. (TTCI) on the root cause of wheel-related accidents. The purpose of this project was to...
Analysis of Tread Buildup on Railroad Wheels
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Office of Research, Development, and Technology and the Association of American Railroads (AAR) fund research conducted by Transportation Technology Center, Inc. (TTCI) on the root cause of wheel-related accidents. The purpose of this project was to...