TIAX Receives $1.4 Million Task Order to Improve Safety of Train Occupants
Technology and innovation firm selected by U.S. DOT's Volpe Center to complete first project under five-year task order contract

June 19, 2004 (Cambridge, MA) - TIAX, a leading collaborative product and technology development firm, has been awarded a $1.4 million task order by the Volpe National Systems Transportation Center, a federal, fee-for-service organization within the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), to investigate ways to improve the crashworthiness of rail equipment.

The project, part of a five-year task order contract, involves the design and test of components used in a crush zone of a train's cab car. A crush zone is a structure incorporated into the ends of cars to provide greater occupant protection by absorbing energy during an impact. In a cab car, the crush zone must also protect the operator of the train. Initial analysis and tests have demonstrated that crush zones could reduce the number of crash-related deaths.

"It is our hope that this project will lead to the implementation of specific measures to further ensure the safety of both train passengers and crew members," said Bob Rancatore, project manager at TIAX.

TIAX staff members have worked with Volpe on a variety of projects concerning rail crashworthiness since 1993. These tasks included:

• The evaluation of the crashworthiness of alternative equipment such as articulated trainsets, the design and component test of a passenger car crush zone
• The investigation of anti-climbing designs for colliding rail equipment
• The analysis support of the single car, two-car, train-to-train, and end frame passenger equipment full-scale tests conducted by Volpe
• The development and improvement of tools and techniques to assist with analyzing the crashworthiness of rail equipment.

"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to continue our work with the Volpe Center," said Kenan Sahin, TIAX President. "Over the past several years we have worked closely with Volpe to investigate ways to improve the crashworthiness of locomotives and passenger rail equipment and we look forward to taking the next steps in this important initiative."

About TIAX LLC
TIAX LLC (www.tiaxllc.com) is a leading collaborative product and technology development firm that accelerates innovation to help its clients create an impact in the market-and in people's lives. We integrate business, industry, and hands-on technology expertise to transform ideas into products and problems into solutions. Formed out of Arthur D. Little's Technology & Innovation business, TIAX builds on more than a century of breakthrough innovation and client success using collaborative R&D. TIAX was selected as a Technology Pioneer 2003 by the World Economic Forum and is ISO 9001 certified with more than 50 research and development laboratories.

For more information contact:
Twig Mowatt
TIAX LLC
(617) 498-7366
mowatt.twig@tiaxllc.com