CONRAIL, Boston, MA: Tom Egan, Manager of Community Relations
|
It has been said that freight railroads are
trained to say "No" to any question involving passenger service. While
"No" may be the answer, we are trained to use a business case analysis to reach
the correct answer. Five major considerations which must be addressed are:
1) Track Ownership: This issue has more influence in high use
corridors where the passenger authority can justify purchase of railroad right of way for
a parallel line. DMU's are, by nature, low density operations making this question moot.
2) Liability: This issue is paramount in shared rights of way
discussions. If you propose to add liability to the
freight railroad, this liability must be identified and means proposed to hold the freight
railroad harmless. This can be done by purchasing insurance in the states where it is
available or by paying a fee to the rail |
|
road. The latter method is not particularly
feasible with Class 1 Railroads but may work with shortlines.
3) Signal Interface: Differences in passenger and freight operations,
such as speeds and multiple stops, must be accommodated.
4) Equipment Compatibility: Compatible couplers and brake systems are
necessary to enable a freight locomotive to move a disabled DMU train.
5) Line Capacity: This is a major constraint. The freight railroad
survives on ton miles, the passenger operation on passenger miles and they compete for use
of the same asset. Train priority is therefore a negotiated issue.
In summary, the issues are complex but not insurmountable. Please involve us
in your discussions at an early stage and let us help you shape a plan which is do-able. |
| |
|
|
FRA Reaction to
DMU Workshop from the Safety Aspect:
Grady Cothen, Deputy Associate Administrator
|
| The Federal Railroad Administration promotes
safe, environmentally sound, successful railroad transportation to meet current and future
needs of all customers and encourages policies and investments in infrastructure and
technology to enable rail to realize its full potential. FRA is currently working with
industry groups to establish a Railroad Safety Advisory Committee offering a forum for
development of new and revised safety standards by consensus. FRA encourages DMU designs
which are compatible with North American passenger and freight equipment. The Passenger
Equipment Working Group is currently discussing structural strength requirements but in
the interim AAR Standard 580 is a good benchmark for end strength. The passenger working
group is also studying survivability with respect to interior appointments as well as
"controlled crush." While 3" cant deficiency is the current standard
for speed in curves, tests of high speed equipment on good quality |
|
track suggest that 6" is possible for
non-tilting equipment and as high as 9" for cars that tilt.
DMU specific issues of fire and signal shunting were raised at this
conference. While modern materials reduce fire risk, emergency planning should take fire
into consideration, particularly if tunnel operations are planned. Operating married pairs
raises reliability of signal shunting but detailed analysis is needed for each specific
equipment.
While DMU's are compatible with freight operations, LRV's are not. FRA will
permit common use of track by freight and LRV's only if the freight operations are
confined to periods when there is no LRV operation. Planners should work this out with FRA
in advance.
FRA Staff are available to work with prospective and current service
operators to facilitate regulatory compliance, promote grade crossing safety and assist in
planning efforts. |
CONEG
Policy Research Center, Inc.
The CONEG Policy Research
Center, Inc. is an incorporated non-profit organization which serves as the staff arm to
the Coalition of Northeastern Governors. As an association of the nine Northeastern
Governors, the Coalition of Northeastern Governors (CONEG) encourages intergovernmental
cooperation in the region through joint consideration of common problems relating to the
economic, environmental and social well-being of the Northeast states. Through CONEG, the
Governors can explore shared problems and emerging challenges, exchange information on
innovative solutions, and undertake cooperative actions.
*This publication does not
necessarily express the views of the Coalition of Northeastern Governors or the CONEG
Policy Research Center, Inc. |
May  1996
|
|
