OVERALL PROJECT SUMMARY REPORT

As a prerequisite to accomplishing the Project objective, over 4 man-years of effort were devoted to accumulating and analyzing accident data. Data on all accidents involving tanks cars were collected for the 6-year period 1965-1970, and for all major accidents back through 1958. The results of the accident review showed during the 1965-1970 period a loss of about $23.3 million was incurred due to product loss from tank cars that were punctured in accidents. About $15.4 million was caused by fire and about $7.9 million was attributable to non-fire causes. Careful attention was given to accidents involving tank cars that ruptured violently (vs. cars that were punctured) since these contributed primarily to the total losses. During the period from 1958 through 1970, a total of 113 cars ruptured violently, 41 during the single year of 1969. With this background the joint industry effort undertook numerous approaches to improving tank car safety with each appraised from a cost effectiveness standpoint. The various facets of the investigation are described with initial conclusions included. There are a series of detailed reports on the individual investigations available separately. A final report with added conclusions and recommendations is to be issued.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • An RPI-AAR Cooperative Project.
• Corporate Authors:

  Association of American Railroads Research Center

  3140 South Federal Street
  Chicago, IL  United States  60616
• Authors:
  • PHILLIPS, E A
• Publication Date: 1972-10-6

Media Info

• Features: Figures;
• Pagination: 65 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Car trucks (Railroads); Coatings; Couplers; Derailments; Explosions; Fires; Hazardous materials; Liquefied petroleum gas; Protection; Safety equipment; Safety valves; Tank cars; Vehicle design
• Old TRIS Terms: Protective devices; Tank car design; Tank car safety research and test project; Thermal shields
• Subject Areas: Design; Railroads; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00080279
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Association of American Railroads
• Report/Paper Numbers: R-145
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 29 1976 12:00AM