Five-Year Strategic Plan for Railroad Research, Development, and Demonstrations
This Five-Year Strategic Plan for Railroad Research, Development, and Demonstrations started with the idea that innovations in railroad research and technology could play an important role in producing a safer, more efficient transportation system. By doing so, this plan addresses the goals of the FRA and USDOT Strategic Plans called for by the Government Performance and Results Act. In addition, consultation on this Five-Year RD&D Plan identified the need to address issues in these and other areas. Other major areas were: worker ergonomics, crew resource management, protection of train occupants, safety evaluation of software-based systems, improved detection of track and equipment defects, and building capacity for the next generation of transportation professionals.
The ten R&D program areas: railroad system issues, human factors, rolling stock and components, track and structures, track-train interaction, train control, grade crossing, hazardous materials, train occupant protection, and R&D facilities and equipment; the four Next Generation High-Speed Rail Technology Demonstration program areas, train control, non-electric high-speed locomotives, grade crossings, and track and structures; and the Magnetic Levitation Deployment program, were identified from strategic thinking, industry input, and ongoing research, development, and demonstration programs. Goals, and activities for achieving the goals, were established around each of these areas. Activities were mapped in priority order over the five-year horizon.
Progression toward the five-year goals occurs in two forms: short-term and long-term efforts. In the short-term, year's one and two, FRA will strategically adjust the RD&D program as ongoing projects are completed, mainstreamed, or phased out, new, more strategically derived projects are set in motion.
New projects may include the development of crashworthy commuter rail vehicles, development of a 5- to 10-car train to demonstrate improved monitoring capabilities, safety assessments of new intermodal equipment, studies of the effects of boredom and inactivity on train crews, the development of tactical and strategic traffic planners, research into the application of security technologies to railroads, and the development of tools for automated measurement of track settlement and transitions.
Research and technology development is an ongoing, iterative process that must be both forward looking and flexible enough to address new needs. This Five-Year RD&D Plan has been developed with industry consultation to meet identified needs of the railroad industry. It is flexible enough to address new needs and to take advantage of new opportunities. FRA will continue to: (a) work with all parts of the railroad industry, (b) use its R&D project development and selection process, and (c) have a peer review program under the auspices of the Transportation Research Board. Changes will be made to the Plan when necessary to meet the needs of the Federal Government, the railroad industry, its employees, its customers, and its suppliers.
No research and technology development can be conducted in isolation, and FRA is no exception. Railroad research and development is an extension of the larger research activities in this country. Basic research in subjects such as information systems, communications, advanced materials, and computer applications are all indirectly supporting the progress of railroad research. FRA fully intends to take advantage of the results of the basic system research in which the United States leads the world.
