FRA BAA HIGH SPEED TURNOUT DESIGN PROJECT

Successful implementation of high-speed rail (HSR) depends on reliable and efficient turnouts. Turnouts are the control points of the railway network. Their safe, reliable, and efficient operation is critical to the success of any high speed passenger operation. “Express” HSR systems, as defined by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), are expected to include dedicated grade-separated passenger train infrastructure and systems that permit operating speeds in excess of 150 mph (241.5 km/h). While successful express HSR turnout designs exist today, those optimized for dedicated passenger train service do not include U.S. rolled rail sections and have not been successfully demonstrated under U.S. designed and manufactured wheelsets. While previous FRA and Transportation Research Board TRB research have focused on making improvements to existing “emerging” and “regional” HSR turnout