US Passenger Rail 

Informative Presentation on the 

Operations and Equipment for Intercity 

Passenger and Commuter Rail Service
Overview

• Objective

• Overview of Passenger Rail Service in US

– Equipment Overview

– Equipment Design and Safety

– Operations

• Summary

• Open Discussion (Q&A)
Objective

• Provide an overview of passenger rail service 

in the US to inform the US Access Board Rail 

Vehicle Accessibility Advisory Committee of 

the characteristics of equipment used and 

operations.

• Highlight some safety requirements for 

passenger rail equipment and operations
Equipment Overview

Intercity Passenger and Commuter Equipment (Typical)

(Dimensions of passenger cars are directly related to

clearances and track negotiation ability)

• Single-level, Bi-level, Multi-level cars

• Length: 85’ to 85’ 4”

• Exterior Width: from 9’10”’ to 10’ 6” 

• (There is a difference in exterior width and interior width to 

accommodate side crash elements, insulation, window 

attachment, etc. )

– Limited by clearance and construction type

– Cars with high floors (51”) can have an extreme width of up to 10’6” above the 

floor line but are limited to 10’ wide below the floor line

– Multi-level cars with low floors are limited to 10’ 

• Interior Width controls the seating and aisle width

– Widening aisles can result in reduction in seating capacity
Equipment Overview Cont.

Intercity Passenger and Commuter Equipment (Typical)

(Dimensions of passenger cars are directly related to

clearances and track negotiation ability)

• Height: 12’6” (single-level) to 16’2” (bi-level)

• Equipment length, width and height are controlled by 

clearance limits of the track

• Seating (controlled by interior width)

– 68 to 182 passengers

– 1x2, 2x2 or 2x3 seating

– Workstation table between seats

• (frangible for crashworthiness on new equipment)
Equipment Design and Safety

• 30 Year design life

• Equipment maintained using preventative maintenance practices

– Periodic inspection, maintenance and replacement cycle for 

propulsion, brakes, HVAC, lighting, truck systems

– Mid-life overall

• Varies with each service provider

• 49 CFR Part 238 and 239

– Passenger rail equipment are designed with structural crash 

management systems at each end of the car

• Protect passengers during collision

• Limit modification of cars

• Limit space in end areas of the car

– All interior fixture must be secured and designed for loading

• withstand 8g longitudinal, 4g lateral and 4g vertical loading
Operations

• Amtrak and Commuter rail service providers operate

trains in various lengths (depends on demand)

– Acela: 6 cars

– Regional: 6-8 cars

– Intercity: 3-15 cars

– Commuter: 4-10 cars 

• Intercity and commuter rail trains typically share track 

with freight trains

– Limits the positioning of high level platform close to tracks

• Station platform length depends on the service 

demand
Operations 

• Intercity and commuter trains traverse tracks 

with varying configuration and characteristics: 

high gradient, tight curves in various 

configuration, superelevation, turnouts or a 

combination of

– Can result in elimination of clearance between 

cars (at end inter-car connection)

– Periodic tilt in the car
Summary

• Passenger rail (Intercity and Commuter) 

operations in the US utilizes a variety of 

equipment types and operates over a wide 

range of track structure

• Equipment and tracks are designed to ensure 

safe transportation of passengers
Open Discussion

Any Questions?