High Speed Research Car T-16 In November, 2000, the Federal
Railroad Administration (FRA) began operating high speed
research car T-16 to investigate methods for providing a safer
and smoother ride for passenger and freight trains traveling at
higher speeds. FRA's Office of Research and Development uses
T-16 to study the dynamics of wheel-rail behavior, to
investigate methods for improving track inspection, and to
assess potential high speed rail corridors. T-16 also assists
Amtrak, local and regional commuter authorities, and individual
railroads in assessing their routes. T-16 is a former Amtrak
Metroliner passenger car which was refurbished and instrumented
with advanced technology, with capabilities for measurement and
data collection at speeds up to 160 mph. Measurement
capabilities include track geometry, rail head profile, ride
quality, and wheel-rail forces. T-16 can also be used as an
instrumentation platform to collect data from sensors mounted on
other cars in the train. T-16 has the capability to