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Safety of Railroad Passenger Vehicle Dynamics: Final Summary Report

This report is a summary of all the work done by Foster-Miller on passenger rail vehicle dynamic safety under the contract awarded by the Federal Railroad Administration. The report presents key issues and findings in the safety assessments and a safety assessment methodology for rail vehicles...

Locomotive Crashworthiness Research: Modeling, Simulation and Validation

A technique was developed to realistically simulate the dynamic, nonlinear structural behavior of moving rail vehicles and objects struck during a collision. A new approach considered the interdependence of the many vehicles connected in typical rail consists. This was accomplished by combining the...

Aerodynamic Effects of High-Speed Passenger Trains on Other Trains

With the onset of high-speed train operations in the United States, a study was undertaken to determine the possible aerodynamic effects of these trains have on their surroundings. The aerodynamic interaction between a high-speed train passing other trains, and its effects on the structural...

Non-Accident Release of Hazmat from Railroad Tank Cars: Training Issues

This report presents the results of a study to determine the extent to which written materials used on training railroad hazmat loaders are consistent with reading skills of the trainees. Data from four case study sites was used to conduct the analysis. Each site trains employees to load hazardous...

Tank Car Fatigue Crack Growth Test

Under the Tank Car Fatigue Crack Growth Test Program, the Association of American Railroads performed over-the-road tests, immpact tests, perturbed track tests, quasi-static and cyclic Mini-shaker Unit vertical coupler loading tests, and a 300,000-mile accelerated-rate Simuloader fatigue test on a...

Field Product Removal Methods for Tank Cars

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) has prepared a handbook entitled 'Field Product Removal Methods for Tank Cars' containing guidelines for use by responders to derailments involving tank cars. The handbook presents several general techniques for unloading damaged tank cars. Procedures for...