Remote Coupling and Uncoupling of Freight Cars. Research Results

摘要

To increase the safety of freight railroad operations, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has been funding research into three distinct freight car components that can be used together to couple and uncouple freight cars remotely. These three components are tri-coupler, remote-controlled angle cock (RCAC), and remote-controlled cut-lever (RCCL). FRA funded Sharma & Associates, Inc.(SA) to research, develop and demonstrate the three items mentioned above. These components are planned for demonstration on another FRA-sponsored project, the Advanced Concept Train (ACT). The RCACs are installed on the train. The RCCLs will be installed at the same time as the tri-couplers. The tri-coupler is undergoing field-testing and will be installed on the ACT train as soon as the field operation is verified.