DETERMINATION OF THE OPTIMAL APPROACH TO RAIL RAPID TRANSIT CAR STANDARDIZATION

This report documents the findings of Phase I of a two-part program on standardization of rail rapid transit cars. The purpose of Phase I was to determine the optimal form of standardization which would: stabilize the prices of new rail rapid transit cars; reduce operating and maintenance costs; improve equipment reliability and maintainability. APTA, the American Public Transit Association, and RPI, the Railway Progress Institute, established technical boards which provided transit industry technical analysis and review of the work plans, approaches, and findings of the technical contractor. This first phase final report documents the analysis leading to a determination that rail rapid transit car standardization is feasible and should be implemented under a phased program to develop a qualified products list and products qualification procedure, a car prototype certification procedure, and a family of car performance specifications.