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FIBER-TECH BETWEEN-CAR-BARRIERS (BCBs)*

Following a D.O.T./ F.T.A. mandate for “a safety device between railcars to prevent individuals from stepping off the platform between the cars and falling onto the tracks”, Siemens Transportation Systems and the Metropolitan Transport Authority called upon Fiber-Tech Engineering to design & develop a working solution for the requirement, to be installed on the Los Angeles Light Rail – Green and Gold Lines. Fiber-Tech Engineering designed and developed the completely passive system, made prototypes and with evaluation by STS and MTA including a full spectrum of testing, was able to meet the design / performance criteria with success. The BCB systems also met the rigorous requirements for Flame/Smoke/Toxicity per MTA / STS specifications.

The system consists of three, major components: HOUSING (main exterior body), BASE PLATE (internal) and the NOSE (extended from the Housing). The Base-Plate and Housing are made of composite materials while the Noses are made of cast Urethane elastomer. A sub-system of Stainless Steel and Aluminum hardware is employed for the assembly of the system. The NOSE components form the actual ‘Barrier’ when parked at the platform, yet survive continuous engagement when striking each other as the cars go around turns on the tracks, the unique Urethane elastomer material providing the compliant fatigue and abrasion performance required.

[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 1, Parts 1 to 99]
[Revised as of October 1, 1997]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR38]
[Page 500-533]

TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION

Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary of Transportation

PART 38--AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) ACCESSIBILITY SPECIFICATIONS FOR TRANSPORTATION vehicles
Sec. 38.85 Between-car barriers.
Where operate in a high-platform, level-boarding mode, devices or systems shall be provided to prevent, deter or warn individuals from inadvertently stepping off the platform between cars. Appropriate devices include, but are not limited to, pantograph gates, chains, motion detectors or other suitable devices.