REVISED:
In the first phase of this project, an ad hoc committee will review a test and analysis plan prepared by DOT and comment in a letter report on whether the proposed tests will provide objective, accurate, and reliable results to test the assumptions that DOT has identified in its comparison of the emergency braking performance of railroad tank car Electronically Controlled Pneumatic (ECP) brakes to conventional brakes or braking systems such as distributed power and two-way end of train devices. The committee will provide a written explanation detailing the need for any additional or alternative testing. The key question is whether ECP brakes would reduce the incidence and severity of spills of crude oil or ethanol from derailments compared with the alternative braking systems examined.
In the second phase of this project, the committee will review the conduct of DOT’s tests, reports of test results, and, based on DOT’s test results and analysis, provide its findings and conclusions addressing the performance of ECP brakes relative to other braking technologies or systems tested by DOT. The committee's reviews and letter reports will be limited to these tasks; the committee will not make recommendations about which braking systems should be required of railroads in revenue service.
ORIGINAL:
An ad hoc committee will recommend appropriate analysis and testing methods to compare the emergency braking performance of railroad tank car Electronically Controlled Pneumatic (ECP) brakes to conventional brakes or braking systems such as distributed power and 2-way end of train devices. The key question is whether ECP brakes would reduce the incidence and severity of spills of crude oil or ethanol from derailments compared with the alternative braking systems examined. The committee will examine the cost-effectiveness of simulation and testing options that take into account budgetary limitations and recommend a general plan for testing and simulation that can best answer this question. The committee’s recommended approach will be subsequently refined and carried out by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
In subsequent phases of this project, to be brought back to GBEC for consideration, the committee will also review FRA’s subsequent analysis and test plan, conduct of the analysis and testing, and report summarizing the results. The committee’s reviews and reports will be limited to these tasks; the committee will not make recommendations about which braking systems should be required of railroads in revenue service.