Industry Standards for Passenger Transit, Rail Vehicle Specifications

Wayside Interface


The Code of Federal Regulations

The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) provides the regulatory requirements for all federally regulated activities and services. The majority of the applicable portions of the CFR, to passenger rail transit, are the Environmental Protection Agency (40 CFR), and Transportation (49 CFR) containing such entities as - the Federal Railway Administration, Federal Transit Administration, Department Of Transportation, and National Transportation Safety Board.

The CFR is available on the Internet at e-cfr, and Assist

Environmental Protection Agency (40 CFR)

Standard: 40 CFR Part 201, Noise Emission Standards for Transportation Equipment; Interstate Rail Carriers
Purpose: The provisions of this subpart apply to the total sound level emitted by rail cars, including the sound produced by refrigeration and and auxiliary equipment which are an integral element of such equipment. 40 CFR, 201.13 has standards for Rail Car Operations
Criteria: Specify compliance with standard
Usage: ....shall meet the requirements of 40 CFR Part 201
Standard: 40 CFR part 82 - Stratospheric Ozone Protection Rule (Environmental Protection Agency)
Purpose: This rule is intended to reduce and eventually eliminate the emission of ozone depleting refrigerants into the environment.
Criteria: Site Standard name, and compliance with respect to ozone depleting refrigerants.
Usage: The Contractor shall not utilize a Class I or Class II ozone-depleting refrigerant as defined by the EPA's Stratospheric Ozone Protection Rule - 40 CFR part 82.
Standard: 40 CFR Part 89 - Control of Emissions From New and In-Use Nonroad Engines.
Purpose: This regulation specifies the engine emissions for compression ignition engines, allowable under the clean air act. These standards are phased over several year period, with specific due dates for each of several categories for EPA compliance. This regulation is typically applied for diesel engines used for electrical power generation, or running refrigeration compressors.
Criteria: Specify compliance with standard, citing year or tier level of compliance
Usage: 40 CFR Part 89, Tier 2 compliance.
Standard: 40 CFR Part 85, 89 and 92 - Environmental Protection Agency, Emission Standards for Locomotives and Locomotive Engines
Purpose: This regulation specifies the locomotive engine emissions, allowable under the clean air act. These standards are phased over several year period, with specific due dates for each of several categories for EPA compliance.
Criteria: Specify compliance with standard, citing year or tier level of compliance
Usage: 40 CFR Part 85, 89 and 92, Tier 2 compliance.
 

Transportation (49 CFR)

Standard: 49 CFR Parts 27, 37 & 38, Transportation for Individuals with Disabilities (Americans with Disabilities act - ADA)
Purpose: This part (38) provides minimum guidelines and requirements for accessibility standards for transportation vehicles required to be accessible by the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990
Criteria: Specify compliance with standard
Usage: Shall meet the requirements of 49 CFR Parts 27, 37 & 38 (ADA)
Standard: 49 CFR Part 210, Railroad Noise Emission Compliance Regulations
Purpose: This part prescribes minimum compliance regulations for enforcement of the Railroad Noise Emission Standards established by the Environmental Protection Agency in 40 CFR part 201.
Criteria: Specify compliance with standard
Usage: Shall meet the requirements of 49 CFR Part 210
Standard: 49 CFR Part 213, FRA Track Standards
Purpose: This part prescribes minimum safety requirements for railroad track that is part of the general railroad system of transportation. This is useful as it applies to the class level of track the vehicles will be operated on.(See table)
Criteria: Specify compliance with standard, state class
Usage: Shall meet the requirements of 49 CFR Part 213, Class 4 Track
Standard: 49 CFR Part 221 - Rear End Marking Device - Passenger, Commuter and Freight Trains.
Purpose: This part prescribes minimum requirements governing highly visible marking devices for the trailing end of the rear car of all passenger, commuter and freight trains.
Criteria: Specify compliance with standard
Usage: Each end of the vehicle shall be equipped with a end marker light conforming to the requirements in 49 CFR Part 221.
Standard: 49 CFR Part 223 - Safety Glazing Standards - Locomotives, Passenger Cars and Cabooses
Purpose: This part provides minimum requirements for glazing materials in order to protect railroad employees and railroad passengers from injury as a result of objects striking the windows of locomotives, caboose and passenger cars.
Criteria: Specify compliance with standard, Type rating required.
Usage: ....glazing shall meet the requirements of 49 CFR Part 223, FRA Type X
Standard: 49 CFR Part 228 Appendix C, Guidelines for Clean, Safe, and Sanitary Railroad Provided Camp Cars
Purpose: This standard provides minimum habitability requirements for cars used to house crews working in or around railroad areas.
Criteria: Specify compliance with standard
Usage: Shall meet the requirements of 49 CFR Part 228, Appendix C
Standard: 49 CFR Part 238, Passenger Equipment Safety Standards (See APTA Standards)
Purpose: Part 238 and provides minimum safety standards for Rail vehicles. The safety standards cited include a variety of safety standards such as structural standards, fire safety standards, emergency evacuation standards, etc.
Criteria: Specify compliance with standard
Usage: Shall meet the requirements of 49 CFR Part 238
Standard: 49 CFR Part 239, Emergency Preparedness Plan
Purpose: This part prescribes minimum Federal safety standards for the preparation, adoption, and implementation of emergency preparedness plans by railroads connected with the operation of passenger trains, and requires each affected railroad to instruct its employees on the provisions of its plan. (Mostly for transit operations)
Criteria: Specify compliance with standard
Usage: Shall meet the requirements of 49 CFR Part
Track Classification
49 CFR Part 213.9, 307
Maximum allowable operating speed (freight trains) Maximum allowable operating speed (passenger trains)
Excepted track 10 mph N/A
Class 1 track 10 mph 15 mph
Class 2 track 25 mph 30 mph
Class 3 track 40 mph 60 mph
Class 4 track 60 mph 80 mph
Class 5 track 80 mph 90 mph
Class 6 track 110 mph (conditional) 110 mph
Class 7 track 125 mph (conditional) 125 mph
Class 7 track 160 mph (conditional) 160 mph
Class 9 track 200 mph (conditional) 200 mph