Five-Year Strategic Plan

Executive Summary
 
Chapter 1 : Introduction  

1.1 U.S. Railroad Industry
1.2 Trends in Railroad Operations
1.3 Railroad Safety Trends
1.4 FRA Institutional Changes
1.5 Trends in Railroad Research
1.6 Peer Review
1.7 R&D Management Self-Assessment
1.8 Five-Year Plan

Chapter 2 : A Vision For The Future: Intelligent Railroad Systems  

Chapter 3 : R&D Project Development and Selection Process  

Chapter 4 : Railroad Research and Development Program 

4.01 Railroad System Issues: Safety, Security, Environment
4.02 Human Factors
4.03 Rolling Stock and Components
4.04 Track and Structures
4.05 Track/Train Interaction
4.06 Train Control
4.07 Grade Crossings
4.08 Hazardous Materials Transportation
4.09 Train Occupant Protection
4.10 R&D Facilities and Test Equipment

Chapter 5 : Next Generation High-Speed Rail Technology Demonstration Program 

5.1 Positive Train Control Demonstrations
5.2 High-Speed Non-Electric Locomotive Technology
5.3 High-Speed Grade Crossing Protection
5.4 High-Speed Track and Structures Technology

Chapter 6 : Magnetic Levitation Technology Deployment Program  

Chapter 7 : Strategic Workforce Planning  

Chapter 8 : Relationship of Program Elements to Budget Categories  

Chapter 9 : Conclusion  

Appendix A : Relationship to Other Strategic Plans  

Appendix B : University Research Grants, Small Business Innovative Research and Idea Programs  

Appendix C : Letter Report of the Transportation Research Boards Committee to Review the FRA R&D Program  

List of Acronyms