Technologies and Testing to Prevent Water Ingress in Railroad Bearings

DTFR5311D00008L, 693JJ618F000087Bearing degradation and defects can result in a bearing being removed from service before the end of its normal service life or possible bearing failure, causing service disruption or even derailment. Water damage is the leading cause of premature bearing failure; therefore, preventing this damage is of primary concern to ensure safety in rail operations. Between 2018 and 2022, researchers at Transportation Technology Center, Inc., using the resources at both the Transportation Technology Center and an outside lab, investigated various seal types for their ability to prevent water (in the form of vapor and spray) from penetrating and damaging railway bearings over their service life and in different service parameters. A discussion of the related phenomenon of fretting corrosion and potential methods to prevent water ingress is also included

Improved Railroad Freight Car Truck Performance and Safety: Phase 1

DTFR5311DThe Federal Railroad Administration contracted Transportation Technology Center, Inc. (TTCI) to explore the development and status of the Improved (or Integrated) Freight Car Truck (IFCT) and trace the development of the modern three-piece truck into the M-976 truck into the IFCT over the last 30 to 40 years. In addition, the report collects thoughts from industry representatives regarding the status of the IFCT. Finally, using parametric simulation results, the report attempts to optimize the design suspension parameters of the IFCT

Measurement and Characterization of Track Geometry Data: Literature Review and Recommendations for Processing FRA ATIP Program Data

Task Order 86From October 2018 to March 2019, the Federal Railroad Administration sponsored Transportation Technology Center, Inc. to conduct a literature review on the methods of measurement and characterization of track geometry. The goal of the review was to summarize the current state of track geometry measurement and to provide recommendations on methods for processing and characterizing track geometry data collected under FRA\u2019s Automated Track Inspection Program

Locomotive Crash Energy Management Train-to-Train Collision Test

DTFR5311D00008LThe Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) sponsored MxV Rail to conduct a collision test using both a moving and a stationary three-car consist. The moving consist included an EMD F40 passenger locomotive equipped with crash energy management (CEM) components backed by two M1-series passenger cars. The M1 passenger cars were also equipped for three occupant protection experiments using wheelchairs and anthropomorphic test devices (ATDs). The stationary consist included a conventional F40 passenger locomotive backed by two empty freight cars. The impact test was performed on August 11, 2022, at the Transportation Technology Center in Pueblo, Colorado. The moving consist impacted the stationary consist at 24.3 mph. The impact initiated deformation of the anti-climber, activated the push-back coupler, and broke all the shear bolts. The occupant experiments were all successful in that the wheelchair securement devices retained their structural integrity, remained attached to the carbody, compartmentalized the ATDs, and resulted in injury values that were likely survivable for an occupant

Relationship of Inspection Methods to Ballast Degradation Models: Phase I

DTFR5311D00008LThis report compiles the first phase of a Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)-sponsored project to evaluate lateral ballast behavior and how mechanics-based track geometry deterioration models forecast field behavior. The lateral ballast behavior section analyzed historical and recent single tie push test (STPT) results, compared the influence various ballast parameters, and evaluated the potential ability of a model to estimate lateral track strength from outputs of track inspection vehicles. The results suggest that a track location could eventually be placed into broad risk categories based on the measurable ballast condition. The second aspect investigated the ability of mechanics-based track geometry deterioration models to forecast field behavior. Field data that included aligned track geometry records and ground penetrating radar (GPR) was analyzed and relationships were developed between the ballast condition and track geometry deterioration rate. The existing mechanics-based models were compared against the statistically fit models and recommendations on how to improve the models were made

Fully Scalable Train Braking Simulation Environment

DTFR5311D00008LTransportation Technology Center, Inc. (MxV Rail), through a research project funded by Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), developed a Concept of Operations (ConOps), documented the infrastructure design, and developed software to support a virtualized fully scalable train braking simulation environment (FSTBSE) that expands upon the capabilities of an existing simulation environment originally developed for evaluation of braking algorithms for Positive Train Control (PTC) applications. The new environment will provide the ability to complete simulations more efficiently and support a concept for on-demand simulations to support new software functions and processes with the potential to improve the safety and operational efficiency of train control and other applications, such as Interoperable Train Control (ITC) PTC and Energy Management Systems (EMS)

Vertical Split Rim: Causes and Prevention

DTFR53-11-D-00008, Task Order 334Vertical split rim (VSR) is a serious railway wheel failure mode that requires further research. Visual clues are not usually present until the crack propagates through the rim. To better understand the root causes of VSRs, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Association of American Railroads (AAR) have jointly funded the investigation of this problem. To better understand VSR, Transportation Technology Center, Inc. (TTCI) attempted to create this defect in a laboratory. A deep slit was cut into the tread of the wheel. After 1.8 million cycles at loads of 36\u201350 kips, the crack still did not propagate and no VSR was created. This test followed previous attempts of higher vertical wheel loads, but without a cut, that did not create VSR. Wheel manufacturers and TTCI previously tried to create a VSR under controlled conditions using a rolling load machine. In both previous instances, a VSR was not created

Office Safety Checker for Moving Block Train Control Systems

DTFR53-11-D-00008LAs part of a project sponsored by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Transportation Technology Center, Inc., (TTCI), developed and analyzed a concept for the Office Safety Checker (OSC) component of the Moving Block Office (MBO), a segment of a moving block train control system concept. The OSC component performs a safety validation of MBO safety-critical functions and certain Positive Train Control Back Office Server (PTC-BOS) safety-critical functions. It also leverages on the Quasi-Moving Block (QMB) Operational Concept and the Overlay Positive Train Control (O-PTC) concepts

Research Report and Findings: Emergency Egress in Rail Transit Tunnels

The objective of this study was to address National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommendation R-16-02, \u201cIssue regulatory safety standards for emergency egress in tunnel environments.\u201d All relevant standards and specifications related to emergency egress, including egress from rail transit vehicles, were included in the literature search. After completion of literature review, relevant elements were documented, and gaps identified to be incorporated into a voluntary standard

Research Report and Findings: Crash Energy Management for Heavy Rail Vehicles, Light Rail Vehicles, and Streetcars

This project was conducted as part of the Standards Development Program Cooperative Agreement with the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA\u2019s) Research, Demonstration and Innovation and Transit Safety Oversight offices. This project includes (1) background research and analysis on needs and gaps for new standards related to transit crashworthiness and crash energy management (CEM), including a summary of transportation modes where standards are lacking, (2) existing standards implemented into industry related to crashworthiness and CEM, and (3) industry survey results on the use of the standards for newly-procured equipment. Findings are presented for FTA\u2019s consideration related to development of standards, protocols, guidelines, or recommended practices related to transit crashworthiness and CEM