Summary
Issue
- From 1995 through 2000, the Federal Railroad Administration's safety data showed an upward trend in the number of derailments on main-line track caused by broken rails. Broken rail is defined as any type of condition consisting of a complete fracture or sufficient fissures that render the rail unfit for the normal operation of trains. This unexplained development prompted further investigation.
Task Force
- Under FRA sponsorship, the Rail Integrity Task Force was convened in April 2002 to identify the "best practices" within the railroad industry regarding the inspection, maintenance, and replacement of rail. The task force is comprised of subject-matter experts from the major heavy-haul railroads, the Association of American Railroads, FRA's Office of Safety Assurance and Compliance, FRA's Office of Railroad Development, as well as technical support from the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The task force has also requested and received input from all of the service providers in the field of nondestructive testing of rail.
Task Force Goal
- To reduce rail-related accidents and casualties resulting from derailments caused by broken rail.
Objectives:
- To better understand the recent increase in derailments caused by broken rail;
- To identify explanations for the increase;
- To review industry "best practices" for inspecting, maintaining, and replacing rail;
- To investigate ways in which the efficiency of the rail-detector car fleet may be increased.
Participating Railroads
- Amtrak; Burlington Northern Santa Fe; Canadian National Illinois Central; Canadian Pacific; CSX Transportation; Norfolk Southern; Union Pacific; as well as a representative from the Association of American Railroads.
Links to Other Sites:
FRA's Safety Data
Volpe Center
