advertisement

---

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) recently proposed new federal safety standards to improve the crashworthiness of passenger-rail cars.

The administration plans to upgrade federal standards for cab cars and multiple-unit locomotives, which feature both passenger seating and an area for crews to operate the train. Under the proposed rule, the vehicles’ forward corner posts would have to withstand 300,000 pounds of force — double the current federal requirement. In addition, forward corner and collision posts would have to meet new standards to absorb a minimum energy level and bend a certain distance without breaking.

If approved, the new standards would apply to cab cars and multiple-unit locomotives ordered after October 2009.

The FRA is accepting public comments on the standards until Oct. 1.