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

Fire Tests of Amtrak Passenger Rail Vehicle Interiors

A series of fire tests was conducted to assess the burning behavior of the interior of passenger rail vehicles. Three types of tests were performed: (1) small-scale laboratory tests to study the flammability and smoke generation characteristics of the individual materials, (2) full-scale...

Administration of Metroliner and Turbo-Train Projects

The Federal Railroad Administration (Agency) sponsors demonstrations to deteremine whether high-speed ground transportation can improve intercity transportation. During fiscal years 1966-70 the Agency obligated over $$25 million for demonstration programs. The Agency is sponsoring two high-speed...

Recommended Emergency Preparedness Guidelines for Passenger Trains

The document contains recommended guidelines designed to assist system operating and emergency response organization management in evaluating and modifying or supplementing their emergency response plans. The recommendations address guidelines relating to emergency plans, procedures, and training....

Railroad Passenger Car Waste Retention Systems

Amtrak presently is permitted to dump untreated waste from passenger train toilets and washing facilities directly onto the track. Older cars (predating Amtarak's formation in 1970) have no capability to retain waste. Recently constructed cars are fitted with either full-retention, or short-term...

Construction Loads Experienced by Plastic Composite Ties

Damage to plastic composite ties during handling and track installation has been reported by a number of railroads. Results from a survey conducted to identify specific handling issues were used to develop field and laboratory tests to measure the loads plastic composite ties are subjected to...