- Author
- Markos, S. H.
- Title
- Recommended Emergency Preparedness Guidelines for Passenger Trains. Final Report. January 1993-November 1993.
- Coporate
- Department of Transportation, Cambridge, MA
- Sponsor
- Department of Transportation, Washington, DC
- Report
- DOT/FRA/ORD-93/24; DOT-VNTSC-FRA-93-23, December 1993, 216 p.
- Distribution
- Available from National Technical Information Service
- Contract
- R4021/RR493
- Keywords
- passenger trains | emergency plans | railroad safety | railroad accidents | transportation | escape means | fire protection | fire safety
- Identifiers
- emergency response; emergency drills; suicides
- Abstract
- The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has recognied the need for intercity and computer passenger train systems, regardless of the size of the system and type of service provided, to engage in careful, advance planning in order to respond effectively to emergencies. This advance planning should address emergency response procedures, training of system operating and other emergency response organizational personnel, and the provision and use of emergency equipment. This document contains recommended guidelines designed to assist system operating and emergency response organization management in evaluating and modifying or supplementing their emergency response plans. The recommendations address guidelines relating to emergency plans, procedures, and training. In addition, guidelines for passenger train and facility features intended to (1) shorten emergency response time, (2) improve the effectiveness of evacuating passengers, and (3) minimize the effects of an emergency are presented. The information contained in this document is intended to assist passenger train system operators to assess, develop, document, and improve their emergency response capabilities and to coordinate these efforts with emergency response organizations in a manner that best protects the traveling public and system passenger trains and facilities. These recommendations provide a useful framework for these organizations to evaluate and, if necessary, modify or supplement their emergency preparedness plans and procedures, training, and passenger train and wayside facility equipment. Depending on the local operating environment, certain recommendations contained in this report may not be appropriate for particular passenger train system routes or operations.