Crash Energy Management

The FRA and the Volpe Center are making remarkable progress demonstratating the effectiveness of Crash Energy Management for improving the survivability of train collisions. Click here for a dramatic illustration.

The top frame in the video shows a test collision between a conventional passenger train operating at 30 mph and a short freight train standing on the same track. The results (as also shown in the timelapse photo shown here) are devastating for anyone in the first car of the passenger train.

The bottom frame in the video shows the same test collision but with prototype crash energy management gear installed. The results are relatively mild and frankly very surviveable.

Kudos to the research team from the Volpe Center and Tufts University.

Click for more information.

Agenda
AP070(1) Self-Powered Rail Car Technologies Subcommittee
Mid-Year Meeting
Saturday, June 13, 2009 3:15–4:45 PM
In conjunction with parent committee: AP070
Chicago Hilton, Chicago, Illinois
David Nelson, Chairman Paul Stangas, Secretary


Minutes of the Annual Meeting – Tuesday January 13, 2009, Washington DC

Committee Business
A. Planning for 2009 Annual Meeting: Potential Topics

• FRA Compliant DMUs: Recent Developments affecting Supply and Demand
• Updates on the Non-compliant DMU planning and development
• Positive Train Control , Fail Safe Collision Avoidance, and the Future of Light Passenger Rails in the Share Track Environment
• What’s after TCRP 130?
• Other topics?
  

B. Recent Industry Developments

• Demise of Colorado Rail Car: What’s Next?
• Changing Economics for Imported European Rail Cars
• Other topics?