Assesses current and new track system designs including tie/fastener life extension studies.

Develop and evaluate longer lasting and lower maintenance special trackwork designs and components for implementation in revenue service.

Evaluate the effects of increased loads and traffic on ballast and subgrade, and evaluate improved substructure maintenance practices and technologies.

Mitigate the effects of longitudinal forces in continuous welded rail due to temperature and other factors.

Develop, evaluate, and implement new bridge designs, bridge fitness for service assessments and maintenance strategies through computational modeling and in-track testing.

Identify root causes of rail failure, evaluate mitigation strategies, and evaluate performance of new rail materials and maintenance practices through computational modeling, laboratory testing, and in-track testing.

Identify root causes of weld failure, evaluate mitigation strategies, and evaluate performance of new weld materials and maintenance practices through computational modeling, laboratory testing, and in-track testing.

Identify root causes of bearing failure, evaluate mitigation strategies, and evaluate performance of new bearing materials and maintenance practices through computational modeling, laboratory testing, and service testing.

Evaluate means to reduce failures with current components and develop recommendations for improved components.

Develop methods for data-based speed restrictions, evaluate new designs, and promote modernization of car design specifications.

Identify root causes of wheel failure, evaluate mitigation strategies, and evaluate performance of new wheel materials and maintenance practices through computational modeling, laboratory testing, and service testing.

Evaluate existing and prototype brake systems and develop recommendations for system performance improvement.

Develop, evaluate, and implement operational concepts for enhanced train control and communication.

Develop, evaluate, and implement operational concepts to support continuous innovation and ensure interoperability of PTC systems.

Examine the causes and control measures for in-train forces and their effects on rolling stock and track structure. Evaluate potential means to reduce the energy input to move trains.

Analyze industry data to ensure that research and technology projects are focused on maximum safety benefits.

Provide controlled testing of track components and structures under a 114-car, 18,000-ton train on a closed loop of test track.

Provide real-world testing and evaluation of new technology and maintenance practices on Class-1 railroad property, under scientific control, following successful testing at FAST®

Develop, evaluate, and implement improved methods for detecting and quantifying defects on the surface and within rails and rail welds.

Develop and evaluate new technologies for inspecting ballast and subgrade.

Investigate and evaluate non-traditional track inspection technologies such as autonomous systems.

Identify root causes for and develop countermeasures against rolling contact fatigue (RCF) damage.

Optimize current wheel and rail profiles and identify best-practice approaches to rail maintenance.

Model and predict infrastructure- and mechanical-system inspection and maintenance needs using big data analytics to support enhancements to resource-allocation decision-making and analyze wayside detector information to minimize accidents caused by impaired equipment.

Develop, evaluate, and implement improved methods for detecting and quantifying defects on the surface and within wheels and axles.

Develop, evaluate, and implement innovative wayside, on-board and automated inspection systems for rolling stock.

Support and oversee fundamental research at academic research institutions aimed toward development of new technologies for the rail industry.

Participate in global research knowledge transfer, access new and emerging technologies from rail transportation research organizations around the world, and facilitate implementation of new technologies into revenue service.