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Evaluation of Wheel-Rail Load and Position Measurement Concepts

Concepts for railroad vehicle-borne instrumentation systems which measure wheel-rail loads and wheel position and angle-of-attack relative to the rail were identified and evaluated. A system which provided continuous measurement of lateral and vertical wheel loads, with an accuracy of ± 2 percent...

Evaluation of TDOP Test Data Final Report

Samples from the test data collected in Phase II of the railroad freight car Truck Design Optimization Project (TDOP) are reviewed to determine their suitability for use in assessing the safety performance of radial trucks. Omissions in the TDOP documentation are identified and corrected where...

Evaluation of Selected TDOP Phase II Test Data

Samples from the test data collected in Phase II of the railroad freight car Truck Design Optimization Project (TDOP) are reviewed to determine their suitability for use in assessing the safety performance of radial trucks. Omissions in the TDOP documentation are identified and corrected where...

Small Scale Impact Reports

[From the Executive Summary] An extensive literature search was conducted to examine past work regarding failure modes; quantitative estimates of impact parameters such as impact velocity, impact energy, tank car size and weight, temperature and material characteristics; effects of impacts on...

Heavy Point Frog Performance under Passenger Vehicles

Federal Railroad Administration contracted with the Transportation Technology Center, Inc., Pueblo, Colorado, to conduct an investigation of passenger vehicle performance running through heavy point frog (HPF) up to speeds of 110 mph. A NUCARS® simulation study was performed with various conditions...

Improved Quality Truck Castings

A review of the car repair billing database shows that many bolsters and side frames are removed from service each year due to cracking or breaking. Derailment-related costs due to bolster and side frame failures total approximately $9 million per year. Although the number of removals may not be...

Characterization of Relatively Large Track Geometry Variations

An analysis of existing track geometry data is described from which the signatures of key track geometry variations related to severe track-train dynamic interaction are identified and quantified. Mathematical representations of these signatures are defined and presented. Track geometry descriptors...