TTCI R&D: Effects of Braking on Wheels
May 12, 2021
RCF tread surface damage on a wheel removed from a car with disabled brakes. (TTCI picture)
RAILWAY AGE MAY 2021 ISSUE: As part of the Association of American Railroads’ (AAR) Strategic Research Initiatives program, Transportation Technology Center, Inc. (TTCI) investigated the effects of tread braking on wheel wear and tread surface damage by monitoring the performance of three articulated five-unit well cars and five coal hopper cars with disabled brakes operating in otherwise normal revenue service conditions.
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) granted an enforcement discretion for these eight cars to operate with disabled brakes in revenue service between 2016 and 2020. Trains moving these cars were required to contain enough cars to maintain at least 95% operational brakes. This requirement provided sufficient safety precautions as evidenced by the fact that no accidents, incidents or injuries occurred due to opera