AN ASSESSMENT OF HIGH-SPEED RAIL SAFETY ISSUES AND RESEARCH NEEDS

The objectives of the study were to provide the Federal Railroad Administration Office of Research and Development with the following information: A general description and operating characteristics of high-speed rail systems likely to be installed in the United States; An assessment of safety issues and concerns associated with the types of high speed rail systems likely to be installed in the United States; A final report summarizing the findings from the review, and making recommendations regarding where safety research is most critically needed. The objectives have been achieved via a comprehensive assessment and review of safety issues and regulations, standards and practices, both in the United States and internationally, associated with each issue. The reviews focus particularly on the safe operation of the system, and the safety impacts on passengers, operating personnel and the public at large. The assessments and reviews were confined to conventional wheel on rail systems, and both electrified and non-electrified systems were included. The study is also confined to safety issues which are directly affected by the speed of operation of passenger trains in normal service.\n