[Title 49 CFR 213.345]
[Code of Federal Regulations (annual edition) - October 1, 2006 Edition]
[Title 49 - TRANSPORTATION]
[Subtitle B - Other Regulations Relating to Transportation (Continued)]
[Chapter II - FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF]
[Part 213 - TRACK SAFETY STANDARDS]
[Subpart G - Train Operations at Track Classes 6 and Higher]
[Sec. 213.345 - Vehicle qualification testing.]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


49TRANSPORTATION42006-10-012006-10-01false213.345Sec. 213.345TRANSPORTATIONOther Regulations Relating to Transportation (Continued)FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OFTRACK SAFETY STANDARDSTrain Operations at Track Classes 6 and Higher
Sec. 213.345  Vehicle qualification testing.

    (a) All rolling stock types which operate at Class 6 speeds and 
above shall be qualified for operation for their intended track classes 
in order to demonstrate that the vehicle dynamic response to track 
alinement and geometry variations are within acceptable limits to assure 
safe operation. Rolling stock operating in Class 6 within one year prior 
to the promulgation of this subpart shall be considered as being 
successfully qualified for Class 6 track and vehicles presently 
operating at Class 7 speeds by reason of conditional waivers shall be 
considered as qualified for Class 7.
    (b) The qualification testing shall ensure that, at any speed less 
than 10 m.p.h. above the proposed maximum operating speed, the equipment 
will not exceed the wheel/rail force safety limits and the truck lateral 
accelerations specified in Sec. 213.333, and the testing shall 
demonstrate the following:
    (1) The vertical acceleration, as measured by a vertical 
accelerometer mounted on the car floor, shall be limited to no greater 
than 0.55g single event, peak-to-peak.
    (2) The lateral acceleration, as measured by a lateral accelerometer 
mounted on the car floor, shall be limited to no greater than 0.3g 
single event, peak-to-peak; and
    (3) The combination of the lateral acceleration (L) and the vertical 
acceleration (V) within any period of two consecutive seconds as 
expressed by the square root of (V\2\ + L\2\) shall be limited to no 
greater than 0.604, where L may not exceed 0.3g and V may not exceed 
0.55g.
    (c) To obtain the test data necessary to support the analysis 
required in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, the track owner 
shall have a test plan which shall consider the operating practices and 
conditions, signal system, road crossings and trains on adjacent tracks 
during testing. The track owner shall establish a target maximum testing 
speed (at least 10 m.p.h. above the maximum proposed operating speed) 
and target test and operating conditions and conduct a test program 
sufficient to evaluate the operating limits of the track and equipment. 
The test program shall demonstrate vehicle dynamic response as speeds 
are incrementally increased from acceptable Class 6 limits to the target 
maximum test speeds. The test shall be suspended at that speed where any 
of the safety limits specified in paragraph (b) are exceeded.
    (d) At the end of the test, when maximum safe operating speed is 
known along with permissible levels of cant deficiency, an additional 
run shall be made with the subject equipment over the entire route 
proposed for revenue service at the speeds the railroad will request FRA 
to approve for such service and a second run again at 10 m.p.h. above 
this speed. A report of the test procedures and results shall be 
submitted to FRA upon the completions of the tests. The test report 
shall include the design flange angle of the equipment which shall be 
used for the determination of the lateral to vertical wheel load safety 
limit for the track/vehicle interaction safety measurements required per 
Sec. 213.333(l).
    (e) As part of the submittal required in paragraph (d) of the 
section, the operator shall include an analysis and description of the 
signal system and operating practices to govern operations in Classes 7 
and 8. This statement shall include a statement of sufficiency in these 
areas for the class of operation. Operation at speeds in excess of 150 
m.p.h. is authorized only in conjunction with a rule of particular 
applicability addressing other safety issues presented by the system.
    (f) Based on test results and submissions, FRA will approve a 
maximum train speed and value of cant deficiency for revenue service.

[63 FR 34029, June 22, 1998; 63 FR 54078, Oct. 8, 1998]