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Code · BILL · 114th Congress · S. 1732 (Reported in Senate) — To authorize elements of the Department of Transportation, and for other purposes. · Sec. 5435

Sec. 5435. Study and testing of electronically controlled pneumatic brakes

1,017 words·~5 min read·/bill/114/s/1732/rs/section-5435·

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The Government Accountability Office shall complete an independent evaluation of ECP brake systems pilot program data and the Department of Transportation’s research and analysis on the effects of ECP brake systems. In completing the independent evaluation under paragraph (1), the Government Accountability Office shall examine the following issues related to ECP brake systems: Data and modeling results on safety benefits relative to conventional brakes and to other braking technologies or systems, such as distributed power and 2-way end-of-train devices.
Data and modeling results on business benefits, including the effects of dynamic braking. Data on costs, including up-front capital costs and on-going maintenance costs. Analysis of potential operational challenges, including the effects of potential locomotive and car segregation, technical reliability issues, and network disruptions. Analysis of potential implementation challenges, including installation time, positive train control integration complexities, component availability issues, and tank car shop capabilities.
Analysis of international experiences with the use of advanced braking technologies. Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Government Accountability Office shall transmit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report on the results of the independent evaluation under paragraph (1). The Secretary of Transportation shall enter into an agreement with the NCRRP Board— to complete testing of ECP brake systems during emergency braking application, including more than 1 scenario involving the uncoupling of a train with 70 or more DOT–117 specification or DOT–117R specification tank cars; and to transmit, not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report on the results of the testing.
In completing the testing under paragraph (1), the NCRRP Board may contract with 1 or more engineering or rail experts, as appropriate, with relevant experience in conducting railroad safety technology tests or similar crash tests. In completing the testing under paragraph (1), the NCRRP Board and each contractor described in paragraph
(2)shall ensure that the testing objectively, accurately, and reliably measures the performance of ECP brake systems relative to other braking technologies or systems, such as distributed power and 2-way end-of-train devices, including differences in— the number of cars derailed; the number of cars punctured; the measures of in-train forces; and the stopping distance. The Secretary shall require, as part of the agreement under paragraph (1), that the NCRRP Board fund the testing required under this section— using such sums made available under section 24910 of title 49, United States Code; and to the extent funding under subparagraph
(A)is insufficient or unavailable to fund the testing required under this section, using such sums as are necessary from the amounts appropriated to the Office of the Secretary. The NCRRP Board and each contractor described in paragraph
(2)may receive or use rolling stock, track, and other equipment or infrastructure from a private entity for the purposes of conducting the testing required under this section. Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall require each new tank car built to meet the DOT–117 specification and each tank car modified to meet the DOT–117R specification to have an ECP-ready configuration if the DOT–117 or DOT–117R specification tank car will be used in high-hazard flammable unit train service. After the reports are transmitted under subsections (a)(3) and (b)(1)(B), the Secretary may initiate a rulemaking, if the Secretary considers it necessary, to require each railroad carrier operating a high-hazard flammable unit train to operate that train in ECP brake mode by 2021 or 2023, unless the train does not exceed a certain maximum authorized speed as determined by the Secretary in the rulemaking. Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue regulations to repeal the ECP brakes and ECP brake mode requirements in sections 174.310(a)(3)(ii), 174.310(a)(3)(iii), 174.310(a)(5)(v), 179.102–10, 179.202–12(g), and 179.202–13(i) of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, and, except as provided in subsection (c), any other regulation in effect on the date of enactment of this Act requiring the installation of ECP brakes or operation in ECP brake mode. Nothing in this section may be construed as prohibiting or requiring a railroad carrier from operating its trains in ECP brake mode. Nothing in this section may be construed to require or allow the Secretary to prescribe an implementation deadline for the requirement under subsection (c)(1) that is earlier than the applicable implementation deadline for other tank car modifications necessary to meet the DOT–117R specification for tank cars that will be used in high-hazard flammable unit train service. In this section: The term Class 3 flammable liquid has the meaning given the term in section 173.120(a) of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations. The term ECP means electronically controlled pneumatic when applied to a brake or brakes. The term ECP brake mode includes any operation of a rail car or an entire train using an ECP brake system. The term ECP brake system means a train power braking system actuated by compressed air and controlled by electronic signals from the locomotive or an ECP–EOT to the cars in the consist for service and emergency applications in which the brake pipe is used to provide a constant supply of compressed air to the reservoirs on each car but does not convey braking signals to the car. The term ECP brake system includes dual mode and stand-alone ECP brake systems. The term ECP-ready configuration means mounting brackets and fixed conduit on the tank car to facilitate the future application of additional ECP componentry and required cables. The term high-hazard flammable unit train means a single train transporting 70 or more loaded tank cars containing Class 3 flammable liquid. The term NCRRP Board means the independent governing board of the National Cooperative Rail Research Program. The term railroad carrier has the meaning given the term in section 20102 of title 49, United States Code.
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