Panels Studying Safety Features of High-Speed Trains
On July 28, an engineering task force of a passenger safety working group for the Federal Railroad Administration was asked to concentrate on developing crashworthiness and occupant protection recommendations, with an eye toward projects planned in California and Florida.
Getting ready for high-speed rail projects planned in California and Florida, the Federal Railroad Administration has an advisory panel working to develop crashworthiness and occupant protection recommendations for the trains. An engineering task force of a passenger safety working group for FRA was given the task on July 28.
The next meeting of the Federal Railroad Administration's Passenger Safety Working Group is set for Sept. 16, according to an FRA notice that said the task force "may address any safety features of the equipment, including but not limited to crashworthiness, interior occupant protection, glazing, emergency egress, and fire safety features. Any type of equipment may be addressed, including conventional locomotives, high-speed power cars, cab cars, multiple-unit (MU) locomotives, and coach cars. The equipment addressed may be used in any type of passenger service, from conventional-speed to high-speed. Recommendations may take the form of criteria and procedures, revisions to existing regulations, or adoption of new regulations, including rules of particular applicability."
Other working groups of the Rail Safety Advisory Committee are also engaged in projects about high-speed rail.