Freight Car Truck Design Optimization. Methodology for a Comprehensive Study of Truck Economics.

摘要

As a part of the Federal Railroad Administration's Truck Design Optimization Project (TDOP) a determination of the economics associated with particular freight car truck designs is needed. Although TDOP centers around the development of performance and testing specifications for rail freight car trucks the methodology for evaluating the economic benefits to be derived from efficient truck designs is not at hand. Accordingly,it has been necessary to develop a systematic approach to identifying the cost elements associated with truck ownership. A methodology is proposed for developing the necessary truck economic data first through a pilot study and subsequently through the collection and verification of the data from a wide base of sources.