In-Service, Over-the-Road Testing of One Car for Tank Car Operating Environment Study (Phase IIA) Test Results

This report documents the procedure and results of the controlled testing conducted during Phase II of a tank car operating environment program involving the Association of American Railroads, the Railway Supply Institute (formerly Railway Progress Institute), the Federal Railroad Administration, and Transport Canada. This investigation is part of an ongoing assessment of what is necessary for a complete system optimization (i.e., to assure safety while minimizing total cost). The same donated tank car that was used for all of the Phase I testing (with transducers and instrumented couplers mounted) was placed in over-the-road service for a period of 6 months. A wireless Internet connection utilizing two-way text messaging was the primary system used to monitor the summary data from each channel. Relationships between strain gage output and associated forces were established before onsite and over-the-road testing began. By the end of the over-the-road test in January 2005, the transducers, data acquisition system, and its power supply were operating relatively well. Problems remain to be solved, however, before a similar system is installed on a larger number of test cars.

• Record URL:
  • https://railroads.dot.gov/elibrary/service-over-road-testing-one-car-tank-car-operating-environment-study-phase-iia-test
• 
• Record URL:
  • https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/60977
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Technology Center, Incorporated

  55500 DOT Road, P.O. Box 11130
  Pueblo, CO  United States  81001

  Federal Railroad Administration

  Office of Research and Development, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Koch, Kevin
• Publication Date: 2007-10

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Photos; Tables;
• Pagination: 56p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bolsters; Communication devices; Couplers; Covered freight cars; Data collection; Internet; Tank cars; Transducers; Wireless communication systems
• Uncontrolled Terms: In-service testing
• Subject Areas: Railroads; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01095653
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: DOT/FRA/ORD-07/23
• Contract Numbers: DTFR53-93-C-0001, Task Order 208
• Files: NTL, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Apr 29 2008 2:20PM