Author: U.S. Department of Transportation - Federal Railroad Administration

Date of Publication:  December 1998

Sponsoring Agency:  U.S. Department of Transportation - Federal Railroad Administration

Performing Organization:  U.S. Department of Transportation - Federal Railroad Administration

Report No: DOT/FRA/ORD-98/

Abstract:

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) addresses safety concerns in all phases of railroad operations, through research and development (R&D), regulatory, and enforcement activities, to ensure that railroads in the United States continue to be among the world's safest railroads.

The R&D activities in this report support the safety rulemaking and enforcement activities of FRA's Office of Safety, and foster the development of technologies needed for high-speed passenger operations.  Contributions to the report were received from across the spectrum of scientific, operational, and user communities.  These contributions from both inside and outside government are always welcome, provide valuable inputs, and are greatly appreciated.

During the past decade of R&D activities, a number of studies were completed and milestones were reached in understanding the safety priorities of our Nation's railroads.

In 1996, the FRA formed the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC).  This action has led to additional challenges and opportunities in applying research findings to the consensus-based rulemaking initiative of RSAC.

The Swift Rail Development Act of 1994 established the FRA's Next Generation High-Speed Rail Program to carry out technology demonstrations to foster high-speed passenger corridors.

This report is a summary of FRA research and development activities conducted from 1992 through 1997.  This report does not include all research and development activities undertaken; instead, it is representative of the work accomplished.  Many projects were undertaken in conjunction with the railroad industry.  Where required by the FRA's public safety responsibility, the work was performed independently.  Organizations participating in cooperative research include the Association of American Railroads, the Railway Progress Institute and individual railroad suppliers, the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance of Way Association, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, the United Transportation Union, individual U.S. railroads, and the Canadian government.  The FRA Office of Railroad Development is grateful to these organizations for the support they have provided over the years to the research achievements described in this report.  Finally, the work on the high-speed rail systems received considerable support from the governments and industry of France, Germany, Japan, Spain, and Sweden.  The FRA Office of Railroad Development appreciates their contributions.
 

No. of Pages:  134