COACH DESIGN FOR IMPROVING SAFETY OF TRAIN OPERATION

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The Ministry of Railways has asked the Rail India Technical and Economic Services Ltd. (RITES) to improve the external crash worthiness of rail coaches to increase safety of train services.

In addition, the Railways have taken up the use of high capacity buffer packs, bogie mounted brake system in place of under-floor mounted, development of higher strength brake block hangers, use of high tensile draft gears and screw coupling, introduction of vestibules of the latest European railway design, use of disc brake to reduce by 30 per cent in emergency braking distance, use of composite brake blocks, improved crash worthiness of interior of coaches and introduction of light lock couplers and anti-climbing features.

Other measures taken include use of fire retardant materials, hundred per cent quality check of coaches overhauled in workshops by neutral examiners and provision of emergency exit.

The improved coaches are intended to provide safe train services to the Nation in addition to reduce casualty in the event of accidents.