Analysis of Historical Non-Destructive Evaluation Probability of Detection Data for Railroad Tank Cars: Appendices A Through I

This appendices summarizes the number of observations, misses, hits, and false calls for each interval for fillet welds (FW) for all operators and for each nondestructive evaluation (NDE) method applied in Appendix A. Appendix B summarizes the median frequency of hits and misses for the...

Automated Broken Spike Detection – Phase I

Rail spikes connect railroad rails to the supporting crossties and secure tie plates and crossties together. Recent field inspections and observations have revealed broken spike failures (cut spikes and drive/screw spikes) when used with elastic fastener tie plates in mountainous, high-degree...

Compliance Testing for Locomotive LED Headlights and Auxiliary Lights, Phase IV

This report describes the work performed during Phase IV compliance testing of light-emitting diode (LED) fixtures used as locomotive headlights and auxiliary lights. The purpose was to study the performance of the lamps under severe cold weather conditions. Researchers sought to determine...

2021 BAA Research Initiatives in Support of Rail Safety

Compliance Testing for Locomotive LED Headlights and Auxiliary Lights, Phase III

This report describes the compliance testing of light-emitting diode fixtures used as locomotive headlights and auxiliary lights. The purpose of Phase III testing was to study the ability of observers to identify inconspicuous visual targets along the track, the pattern formed by the locomotive...

Bond-Slip Relationships of Wires Used in Pretensioned Concrete Railroad Ties

KSU developed special wire testing frames and procedures to measure bond-slip performance of prestressing wires (or strands) in concrete. The test called for applying tension to the wires prior to casting the concrete and then slowly releasing the prestress force into the concrete. Forces and...

Quarterly Report on the Performance and Service Quality of Intercity Passenger Train Operations Q1 FY2021

Texas and Pacifico 242 Program Approval Letter

Texas and Pacifico 240 Program Approval Letter

Prestressing Steel and Concrete Variables Affecting Transfer Length in Pretensioned Concrete Crossties

This report highlights advances in understanding the prestressing steel and concrete properties that affect the transfer length (TL) in pretensioned concrete crossties. Transfer length values in pretensioned concrete ties are highly dependent on the type of wire indentation pattern used and the...