The collaboration will address issues related to the safety, security, and innovation of rail transportation

May 30, 2023, Pueblo, CO – MxV Rail and Colorado State University Pueblo (CSU Pueblo) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish a framework to work together cooperatively on future education, training, and research related to the safety, security, and innovation of rail transportation in the State of Colorado. The partnership provides a pathway for MxV Rail and CSU Pueblo to collaborate and utilize each other’s expertise and facilities for research, analysis, education, training programs, and to meet the mission and goals of their respective organizations.

Specifically, CSU Pueblo’s Southern Colorado Institute of Transportation Technology (SCITT), under the direction of Dr. MD Islam, will partner with MxV Rail staff to identify key research questions and issues that could benefit the rail industry.  The teams have also agreed to actively participate in identifying and acquiring potential grants or other funding sources to advance future research or collaborative projects.

Kari Gonzales, President & CEO for MxV Rail indicated “MxV Rail has a long history of supporting CSU Pueblo engineering programs and students. We are excited to formalize our partnership with CSU Pueblo and provide a pathway to explore future joint projects through SCITT.”

MxV Rail is a subsidiary of the Association of American Railroads (AAR) established to provide vital support to the nation’s rail industry as its most trusted research and engineering partner.

CSU Pueblo is a regional, comprehensive state university with an enrollment of nearly 4,000 students. With 34 percent of its students Hispanic, it is a designated Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), and a military friendly university.

CSU Pueblo is home to SCITT, a partnership established in May 2022 between CSU Pueblo and the state of Colorado. SCITT conducts and facilitates education, training, and research on issues related to the safety, security, and innovation of railroad, ground, and intermodal transportation and general issues related to surface transportation problems in the state.

The institute publicly disseminates the results of its research. In addition, the SCITT promotes surface transportation education and research activities among Colorado and national universities to enhance the universities’ ability to attract federal and private sector funding for transportation education, training, and related research.  Gonzales will serve as an inaugural member of the SCITT Governing Board.

CSU Pueblo President, Dr. Timothy Mottet stated, “the partnership between MxV Rail and CSU Pueblo, as part of the Southern Colorado Institute of Transportation Technology (SCITT), is an opportunity to unite specialized academic knowledge and industry expertise. Partnerships like these allow us to identify key questions and create innovative solutions that positively impact the future of transportation. CSU Pueblo is incredibly proud that SCITT, and the related partnerships, will allow us to build new programming, which will provide Pueblo access to a highly trained scientific and intellectual workforce necessary to drive economic development for all of Colorado.”

MxV Rail’s subject matter expertise and newly built infrastructure will provide the capacity to expand the partnership with CSU Pueblo and offers endless opportunities to improve the overall safety, reliability, efficiency, and sustainability of railroads globally.

About MxV Rail: MxV Rail (formerly TTCI) is a subsidiary of the Association of American Railroads established to provide vital support to the nation’s rail industry as its most trusted research and engineering partner. Through focused funding and strategic planning, MxV Rail is making key investments in its people and facilities to undertake new technological challenges in the rail industry and beyond. Building on its legacy of excellence, the team offers a full suite of advisory and research services including consulting, testing, research, maintaining standards and training. Learn more at www.mxvrail.com.

About CSU Pueblo: Colorado State University Pueblo is a comprehensive state university with an enrollment of nearly 4,000 students. With 34 percent of its students Hispanic, it is a designated Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), and a military-friendly university. The university is dedicated to interdisciplinary learning and entrepreneurship that elevates its people and community, creates educational opportunities, fosters unique collaborations, and supports inclusion, access, and affordability as a gateway to the world. Learn more at www.csupueblo.edu.