A national team led by two Penn State Altoona faculty members will establish the Rail Center for Research Enhancing Short-line Transportation (Rail CREST) through a $6.87 million grant from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
The initiative is aimed at “developing and deploying affordable technologies to improve the safety, efficiency, reliability, and sustainability of short line and regional railroads,” according to Penn State (Pennsylvania State University), which this fall received a FRA Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Program grant, one of 122 awarded for FY 2023-24.
Rail CREST will bring together faculty and graduate students from Penn State and five other higher-education institutions: Kansas State University, The University of Texas at Austin, Auburn University, University of South Carolina, and The University of New Mexico. The institutions, plus the Everett Railroad Company and H&J International PC, will contribute the 20% non-federal match for the grant.
According to Penn State, this collaboration, in partnership with railroads, will “facilitate 10 targeted research projects to provide practical, cost-effective solutions tailored to the unique needs of short line rail operators.” Rail CREST’s research will focus on affordable technologies for infrastructure monitoring through computer vision technologies, advanced safety mechanisms for grade crossings, and AI (artificial intelligence)-driven geohazard prediction models, the university said. Additionally, sustainability efforts will include “investigating ways to use recycled materials for track ties and developing comprehensive energy analysis tools to promote environmentally friendly practices,” it noted. The expected outcomes of Rail CREST include enhanced safety and operational practices, the adoption of cost-effective and sustainable solutions, and the development of a skilled workforce.
The project is backed by the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association and guided by an Industrial Advisory Board comprising industry experts and short line operators, according to Penn State.
Hai Huang, Penn State Altoona Professor of Engineering, will served as Rail CREST Director, and Shihui Shen, Penn State Altoona Professor of Rail Transportation Engineering (RTE), will be Associate Director.
“RTE faculty began rail research efforts more than a decade ago alongside the establishment of the nation’s first and only ABET-accredited RTE program,” Huang said, referring to the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. “Our partner universities also bring extensive experience in rail-focused research and education, making this collaboration uniquely positioned and well-prepared for this important work.”
