Title

Issues and Dimensions of Freight Car Size: A Compendium

Creator

Nayak, P. R.

Palmer, D. W.

Date

1980

Identifier

PB81116998

Abstract

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.

Date Issued

1980-10

Extent

299

Corporate Author

Arthur D. Little, Inc.

Corporate Report Number

ADL-80589-11

Report Number

FRA/ORD-79/56

PB Number

PB81116998

Contract

DOT-FR-74261

NTRL Accession Number

PB81116998

Distribution Conflict

No

Access Rights

Document is available to the U.S. public through the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, Virginia 22161

Photo Quality

Incomplete

Distribution Classification

1

DTIC Record Exists

No

Report Availability

Full text available by request

Provenance

S. Kumar

Type

report