ISSUES AND DIMENSIONS OF FREIGHT CAR SIZE: A COMPENDIUM

An investigation is made into the effects of the size, weight, and length of freight cars on the safety and efficiency of U.S. rail transportation. A review is made of the historical and present population and usage of the U.S. freight car fleet. Distinct trends toward the purchase of larger, heavier cars and the subsequent effect on the fleet are shown. Several data bases are used in a novel fashion to provide actual derailment rates for the fleet by car-miles and ton-miles as functions of various parameters, including car type, nominal weight capacity, and length. A key finding is that, historically, the use of 100-ton capacity freight cars, in itself, has not been detrimental to the safety of U.S. rail transportation. An overview of current analyses of the causes of derailments is given, with special considerations to tank car accidents and grade-crossing accidents. Based on these analyses, technical measures for improvement are outlined. In culmination, a series of options available to the government and industry is given, with consideration to technical, regulatory, and economic impacts.

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• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/36192
• Corporate Authors:

  Little (Arthur D), Incorporated

  Acorn Park
  Cambridge, MA  United States  02140

  Federal Railroad Administration

  Office of Rail Safety Research, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Nayak, P R
  • Palmer, D W
• Publication Date: 1980-10

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: 299 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Axle load force; Center of gravity; Crash risk forecasting; Derailments; Economic analysis; Freight cars; High capacity cars; Railroad tracks; Risk assessment; Safety; Standards; Statistical analysis; Tank cars; Train track dynamics; Vehicle design; Vehicle dynamics
• Old TRIS Terms: Freight car design; Freight car dynamics; High axle loads; High center of gravity; Tank car design; Track standards
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Design; Economics; Railroads; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00325713
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FRA/ORD-79/56 Final Rpt., ADL-80589-11
• Contract Numbers: DOT-FR-74261
• Files: NTL, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Feb 18 1981 12:00AM