New standards or guidelines could also address circumstances under which the use of passenger‐occupied lead units may or may not be acceptable. FRA's regulations for Tier II operations, which covers passenger trains that operate up to 150 mph, requires that the power cars at the ends of the train exclude passengers. This is the current arrangement of the Acela trainset on the Northeast Corridor. One HSR operation that will be constructed on a dedicated right‐of‐way has proposed a 150 mph service with passenger seating in the power cars (cab cars). Another HSR operation has proposed a 220 mph service and has also included passenger seating in the power cars (cab cars).
FRA realizes that some of the more modern HSR train sets used overseas eliminate the conventional power car and use an electrical multiple‐unit configuration that includes passenger seating in the cab car. However, there are no simple answers to the question of whether passenger seating in cab cars is appropriate. The answer will require careful research and full consideration of the operating environment where the trainset operates. Protection for the operator and passengers will remain a key factor.
FRA will conduct further research into the relationship between occupied power cars and the number of injuries and fatalities that might occur in a collision or derailment as part of this review.
