USA Banner

Official US Government Icon

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure Site Icon

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Portions of the Department of Transportation are currently in shutdown/furlough status due to a lapse in appropriations. Please continue to monitor this page for updates on DOT’s operating status.

U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

General

Amtrak/Knorr Disc Brake Study : Volume 1 - Final Report

This report describes the Amtrak/Knorr Disc Brake Study which was developed: (1) To evaluate candidate replacement disc brakes for the Knorr discbrakes presently in use on Amfleet and Turboliner cars. (2) To explain the cause of the loosening of the attaching pins and the excessive wear...

Amtrak/Knorr Disc Brake Study : Volume II - Appendices A through I

This volume contains the following appendices to Volume I, Final Report: Appendix A - Wheel Condition Effects Appendix B - Effects of Cyclic Loads on Pin Wear Appendix C - Over-the-Road Test Acceleration Data from the Boston Run Appendix D - Over-the-Road Test Acceleration Data from the...

Brake System Design Optimization- Volume II: Supplemental Data

This report presents supplemental data which support Volume I, A Survey and Assessment, DOT-TSC-FRA-78-1,I,FRA/ORD-78/20,I, dated June 1978, 140 pages. A detailed description of the functional performance of each freight car air brake system component is provided. This is followed by a discussion...

Wheel Unloading of Rail Vehicles Due to Track Twist

An analysis is presented describing the effect that track twist has on the loads carried by the wheels of a rail car. Wheel unloading is determined as a function of the difference in cross level between the truck centers of the car. The different vehicle characteristics that affect a car's reaction...

Final Rule: Securement of Unattended Equipment

The version of the final rule being posted to FRA’s website is not intended to constitute the official version of the final rule.  The official version of the final rule will be the version published in the Federal Register in the near future and may appear slightly different than this website...

Tunnel Safety Analysis

In May 1987, a New Jersey Transit Rail Operations, Inc., passenger train, en-route from New York City to New Jersey, pulled the catenary down behind itself and came to a stop in the North River Tunnel under the Hudson River. After a delay, some 700 passengers were evacuated from the train, led for...