Improving Railroad Technology: A Directory of Research and Development Projects of the Federal Railroad Administration: Fiscal Year 1980

Federal Railroad Administration1980PDFOrganization InfoUnited States. Department of Transportation. Federal Railroad Administration. Office of Research and DevelopmentUnited States. Department of Transportation. Federal Railroad AdministrationUnited StatesClassification yardsDevelopmentEnergy conservationEquipmentFreight transportationHigh speed railIntermodal transportationPassenger carsPassengersPersonnelRailroadsReliabilityResearchResearch projectsSafetyTechnology transferTraffic safetyTrain track dynamicsVehicle designFRA/ORD-81/14The FRA's Research and Development program has as its goals near-term improvements in products and processes which would enhance safety, improvements in the economic viability and efficiency of the Nation's railroad operations, and reduction of adverse environmental effects of railroad operations. The Office of Research and Development has responsibility for three major programs: (1) Track, Equipment and Personnel Safety, (2) Railroad Operational Improvements, and (3) Improved Passenger Systems. The Track, Equipment, and Personnel Safety Program is aimed at reducing the number and severity of railroad-related accidents. The Railroad Operational Improvement Program is aimed at improving freight classification and switching yards, promoting the exchange of technology and information between railroad companies, improving intermodal equipment, facilities and operations, and conserving energy. The Improved Passenger Systems Program is designed to emphasize train technology and subsystem development.127