EFFECT OF WINTER CONDITIONS ON THE SAFETY OF HIGH SPEED TRAINS ON THE MONTREAL-QUEBEC LINE

The Montreal-Quebec portion of the Quebec-Windsor corridor, on which high speed passenger train service is planned, is unique in having winter conditions more severe than on any other route on which similar service is being planned or operated in the world. As a result, the potential effects of these conditions on the safety of trains is substantial. Some of the problems involved can be handled by present technology and extension of current practices. Examples are the control of frost heaving of track, reduced snow drifting, and maintenance of level crossings. Due to the difficulty of detecting the approach of high speed trains in blowing snow conditions, it is proposed that all protected crossings be equipped with barrier gates and all unprotected crossings and farm crossings be closed in winter. Special studies are required to reach decisions on the best means of reducing danger to trains from hitting either heavy windblown drifts or ridges of hard snow left across the track by road plows at level crossings.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Railroad-Highway Grade Crossings: Update, Bibliography 58.
• Corporate Authors:

  Transport Canada Research and Development Centre

  Technology Branch
  Montreal, Quebec H3A 2R3,   Canada 
• Authors:
  • Peckover, F L
• Publication Date: 1977-6

Media Info

• Pagination: 46 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cold weather; Corridors; Grade crossing protection systems; High speed rail; Operations; Railroad grade crossings; Safety; Snow removal; Visibility
• Uncontrolled Terms: Grade crossing closure
• Geographic Terms: Canada
• Old TRIS Terms: Grade crossing protection; Grade crossing safety
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Railroads; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00325709
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 18 1981 12:00AM