Citation

Loumiet J. Accid. Reconstr. J. 1993; 5(4): 40-43.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1993, Accident Reconstruction Journal)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

As with a skidding car, it is possible to estimate the speed of a train undergoing emergency braking. However, the braking dynamics of a mile long train with air brakes is much more complicated than those of a 15-foot-long automobile with hydraulic brakes. The most reliable and efficient method for calculating train speed is a train braking simulation computer program. But because most reconstructionists do not have such programs, this paper presents simplified equations to approximate the initial speed of a braking freight train. From this approximation, the reconstructionist can then determine if a more detailed analysis is warranted.