Automated Train Operations (ATO) Safety and Sensor Development

The goal of the Automated Train Operations (ATO) Safety and Sensor Development Project was to define system requirements for a locomotive-borne sensor platform (SP) to support the ATO concept. Transportation Technology Center, Inc. conducted market research to gain an understanding of available...

Implementing SLSI-provided Opportunities Continues to Support Safety Culture Growth

The Short Line Safety Institute (SLSI) measures short line and regional railroads’ safety culture using a multi-method assessment process that examines safety culture performance across the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Safety Council’s 10 Core Elements of a Strong Safety Culture (...

FRA Publishes Final Rule Requiring the Installation of Locomotive Image Recording Devices on Passenger Trains

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announced a final rule requiring the installation of inward- and outward-facing image recording devices on all passenger train lead locomotives providing scheduled intercity rail passenger or commuter service. The Fixing America’s...

FRA Publishes Final Rule Requiring the Installation of Locomotive Image Recording Devices on Passenger Trains

FAMES: Fourth Quarter Safety Alert

I-ETMS™ Positive Train Control Passenger Braking Algorithm Enhancement – Phase II

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) funded Transportation Technology Center, Inc. (TTCI) to examine the performance benefits of four potential modifications to the current methodology used for passenger braking enforcement algorithms (EA) in the Interoperable Electronic Train Management...

FRA Announces University of Illinois to Receive $5 Million to Establish the National University Rail Center of Excellence

First of its kind effort made possible through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today announced the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (...

FRA Announces University of Illinois to Receive $5 Million to Establish the National University Rail Center of Excellence

Safety Bulletin 2023-07; Employee Fatality – Crossing Tracks

Development of a Bayesian Network-Based Accident Model for Hazmat Unit Trains

The objective of this research project was to develop a predictive risk model for the release of hazardous material transported in unit trains using data science techniques for available rail accident and traffic data. This work builds upon previous research (Bing, et al., 2015) which examined...