Train Accident Newsroom

FRA To Support Deployment Of Improved Braking Technology

Calling it the most significant development in railroad brake technology since the 1870s, Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph H. Boardman announced today his intention to propose revised federal rail safety regulations to facilitate the installation of Electronically Controlled Pneumatic (ECP) brake systems capable of preventing derailments and shortening train stopping distances.

“ECP brakes are to trains what anti-lock brakes are to automobiles—they provide better control,” Boardman said. “It offers a quantum improvement in rail safety,” he added.

ECP brakes are applied uniformly and virtually instantaneously on every rail car throughout the train, rather than sequentially from one rail car to the next as is done with current air brake technology, Boardman explained. The system provides improved train control when braking and can reduce stopping distances up to 60 percent, he said.

Boardman said the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) intends to issue a notice of proposed rule making next year to revise the federal brake system safety standards to encourage railroads to invest in and deploy ECP brake technology. In order to achieve the safety benefits as soon as possible, FRA is open to considering plans from railroads interested in using ECP brakes before the proposed rule changes are completed, he said. Read more at fra.dot.gov