In the past few years on NANOG, I've noticed a strong correlation between train derailments and network outages. (Not to discount the backhoe correlation in any way of course...) The question I have is this: If fiber runs are trenched into the railbed, and we know that trains go off of the tracks every now and then, what, if anything, is being done to harden the conduit? Would trenching it deeper help? Has encasing the conduit in a steel-reinforced channel been examined? Or is there something about laying conduit next to track and the accident modalities that I am just missing here? Given this week's higher frequency of rail accidents and their attendant network disruptions, it seems like the cost/benefit of looking at this issue might have shifted a bit. I can only see these right-of-ways becoming increasingly valuable over time and in our post 9/11 environment, this seems to be an area that seems especially vulnerable. Just curious... At 5:26 PM -0400 4/26/02, Sean Donelan wrote:
On Fri, 26 Apr 2002, Steve Gibbard wrote:
Are train derailments common events that don't get much press coverage (or maybe that don't get much coverage unless it's a passenger train), or was this an especially bad week?
According to federal records and news reports, train derailments are up about 15% even if you take into account the growth in rail traffic.
Regards, Chris Kilbourn Founder _________________________________________________________________ digital.forest Phone: +1-877-720-0483 where Internet solutions grow Int'l: +1-425-483-0483 19515 North Creek Parkway Fax: +1-425-482-6871 Suite 208 http://www.forest.net Bothell, WA 98011 email: chrisk@forest.net