BAA 2020 Appendix C 3_20_2020.pdf

FRA BAA 2020 – March 2020

Federal Railroad Administration Office of Research, Development, and Technology

Broad Agency Announcement – BAA 2020

Appendix C – Research Topics

Note: Concept papers may be submitted at any time, through the closing date of the research topic.

Track Research

Topic Title Closing Date for Concept Papers

FRA-TR-001 Research in Response to Track Division Strategic Priorities (see BAA Section 2.3)

May 22, 2020

FRA-TR-002 Track Structure Failure Research May 22, 2020

FRA-TR-003 Autonomous Track Inspection Methods May 22, 2020

FRA-TR-004 Innovative Methods for Measuring Longitudinal Rail Stress May 22, 2020

FRA-TR-005 Advancing Rail Flaw Detection Capability May 22, 2020

FRA-TR-006 Assessment of the Influence of Drainage on Track Support May 22, 2020

Rolling Stock and Equipment

Papers

FRA-RS-001 Research in Response to Rolling Stock Division Strategic Priorities (see BAA Section 2.4)

May 22, 2020

FRA-RS-002 Rail Rolling Stock Emissions and Efficiency May 22, 2020

FRA-RS-003 Evaluation of Modern Locomotive Crashworthiness Performance May 22, 2020

Train Control

Papers

FRA-TC-001

Research in Response to Train Control and

Communications Division Strategic Priorities (see BAA Section 2.5)

May 22, 2020

FRA-TC-002 Highway Rail Grade Crossing Analysis Framework May 22, 2020

Human Factors

Papers

FRA-HF-001 Research in Response to Human Factors Division Strategic Priorities (see BAA Section 2.2)

May 22, 2020

FRA-HF-002 Trespass Prevention and Suicide May 22, 2020

FRA-HF-003 Combating Fatigue in the Railroad Industry May 22, 2020

FRA-HF-004 Human Factors Research in Vehicle and Rail Systems

Railroad Systems Issues – Workforce Development

Papers

FRA-RSI-001 Research in Response to Railroad Systems Issues Strategic Priorities (see BAA Section 2.1)

May 22, 2020

FRA-RSI-002 Making Railroading a Career of Choice May 22, 2020

FRA-RSI-003 Investigating Standards and Best Practices in Knowledge Management Across Railroad Industry

May 22, 2020

FRA-RSI-004 Improving the Quality of Workforce Development Data

Track Research

Topic: FRA-TR-001

Title: Projects in Response to Track Division Strategic Priorities (see BAA Section 2.3)

This topic is reserved for research projects that do not respond to one of the following topics, but are responsive to the strategic priorities detailed in BAA Section 2.3

Topic: FRA-TR-002

Title: Track Structure Failure Research

This topic seeks research projects to investigate technologies and techniques for predicting the progressive and/or sudden failure of track structures. This is a general research requirement that covers all aspects of track and track support structures. FRA is searching for novel, technology-based techniques for improving rail safety through improved understanding of system and component failure modes, drivers, and timing.

Topic: FRA-TR-003

Title: Autonomous Track Inspection Methods

FRA’s strategic objectives include the expansion of autonomous inspection methods to provide more frequent and cost-effective measurements and quality assessments of track condition. This topic seeks innovative railroad track inspection research to develop new technologies suitable for deployment on autonomous inspection rail vehicles, like DOTX225 and DOTX226.

FRA has recently developed and deployed Autonomous Track Geometry Measurement (ATGMS) technology on FRA inspection vehicles DOTX225 and DOTX226, and variations of ATGMS technology are now available from commercial vendors. Additional information describing FRA ATGMS technology development and demonstration is available in the FRA e-library at:

https://railroads.dot.gov/elibrary/autonomous-track-geometry-measurement-system-technical- development-short-line https://railroads.dot.gov/elibrary/autonomous-track-geometry-measurement-technology-design- development-and-testing

Autonomous inspection technologies offer greatly improved operational efficiency compared to traditional, manned inspection vehicles, but there are significant challenges that must be overcome to effectively deploy inspection technologies on an autonomous freight-service rail platform. These challenges include limited power availability, extended maintenance https://railroads.dot.gov/elibrary/autonomous-track-geometry-measurement-system-technical-development-short-line https://railroads.dot.gov/elibrary/autonomous-track-geometry-measurement-system-technical-development-short-line https://railroads.dot.gov/elibrary/autonomous-track-geometry-measurement-system-technical-development-short-line https://railroads.dot.gov/elibrary/autonomous-track-geometry-measurement-technology-design-development-and-testing https://railroads.dot.gov/elibrary/autonomous-track-geometry-measurement-technology-design-development-and-testing https://railroads.dot.gov/elibrary/autonomous-track-geometry-measurement-technology-design-development-and-testing intervals, and data transfer bandwidth restrictions. As detailed in the documents referenced above, the FRA’s ATGMS requires less than 200 watts of electrical power, can run for weeks without human intervention for maintenance, and uses the commercial cellular network for data transfer.

FRA is particularly interested in research to develop non-contact technologies that will provide data to enhance the value of the track geometry data currently collected on the ATGMS railcars.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Systems that document the in-situ track condition

• Rail Fastener detection and inspection

• Rail rolling contact fatigue (RCF) detection and severity quantification (scaling)

• Rail defect detection

• Joint bar and/or weld integrity assessment

• Ballast and/or subgrade condition assessment, including ballast height, fouling condition, mud spot detection, and track moisture content

Topic: FRA-TR-004

Title: Innovative Methods for Measuring Longitudinal Rail Stress

The stress state of rail is a key parameter that drives rail safety. Effective management of thermal stresses in rail is critical to preventing rail buckles and pull-a-parts. The objective of this topic is to research technologies that can accurately determine the in-situ stress state of rail. Research into methods to determine if the rail is in compression or tension, at a minimum, are desired. Ideally, the research will advance the state of knowledge of techniques that can quantify the absolute stress state of rail and identify the rail’s neutral temperature (stress-free state) without disturbing the track and without prior knowledge of the zero-stress state of the rail. Offerors shall demonstrate knowledge of the past research in this area and an understanding of the scientific and other technical challenges encountered in these past efforts.

Topic: FRA-TR-005

Title: Advancing Rail Flaw Detection and Processing Technologies

Internal rail flaws can lead to train derailments that result in human fatalities and injuries, environment damage, and high costs. This topic seeks research projects that address one or more of the following rail flaw inspection objectives:

• Non-contact rail inspection at track speed (i.e. up to 45mph or greater).

• Full rail (i.e. not just rail head) inspection for internal and external defects.

• Automation of rail flaw detection and/or data processing through machine learning, artificial intelligence techniques or other means.

• Understanding the influence of Rolling Contact Fatigue (RCF) and other rail surface defects, on the performance of ultrasonic rail defect detection techniques.

Offerors shall demonstrate knowledge and comprehension of the scientific and other technical challenges encountered in any similar past efforts. Offerors explain how their proposed research differs from prior work and how it advances the state of the art.

Topic: FRA-TR-006

Title: Assessment of the Influence of Drainage on Track Support

Railway track structure support is an important contributor to stable track geometry. Good track support is often associated with well-drained track. While the amount of fouling that can compromise drainage has been documented, the relative change in the hydraulic conductivity of the ballast has not been fully evaluated. In this research, the links between track drainage and maintenance effectiveness and track geometry stability are sought. Quantifying changes in drainage characteristics of ballast with varying levels of fouling and fouling materials are sought and are to be linked with drainage performance of the track structure. The resulting changes in hydraulic conductivity for varying fouling levels and materials are expected to be correlated with the resulting changes in the mechanistic indicators of track structural support such as lateral resistance, ballast resilient modulus, and development of plastic deformation under repeated loading. It is the goal of this research to apply these results to numerical analyses for simulating track performance with the ultimate goal of developing a ballast drainage predictive model relative to track strength/support and field demonstration of new or improved maintenance methods to provide more predictable ballast drainage patterns and stable track geometry.

Rolling Stock and Equipment Research

Topic: FRA-RS-001

Title: Projects In Response to Rolling Stock Division Strategic Priorities (see BAA Section 2.4)

This topic is reserved for research projects that do not respond to one of the following topics, but are responsive to the strategic priorities detailed in BAA Section 2.4.

Topic: FRA-RS-002

Title: Rail Rolling Stock Emissions and Efficiency

Over the past ten years, the Federal Railroad Administration has engaged in research to improve the energy efficiency and emissions of rail rolling stock equipment. Past research activities have focused on feasibility of biofuels in passenger rail, emissions of locomotives operating on five and twenty percent biodiesel fuel, safety assessments of liquefied natural gas, safety reviews of battery powered locomotives, feasibility studies of portable locomotive emissions measurement system, etc. These research activities have advanced the industry’s state of knowledge related to emissions, alternative fuels and motive power in rail applications.

During the same ten-year period, US railroads have piloted several studies on the use of biodiesel, natural gas (liquefied and compressed), and batteries as alternative sources of energy for propulsion. This topic solicits innovative research projects that either build on past research or introduce new research to improve the emissions and energy efficiency of rail rolling stock.

Topic: FRA-RS-003

Title: Evaluation of Modern Locomotive Crashworthiness Performance

Evaluation of locomotive crashworthiness is vitally important for assessing the safety of current rail operations and determining future requirements for design improvements. Modern locomotives are built to crashworthiness standards that are defined as part of CFR Part 229, as well as, AAR’s S-580 standards. These standards include specific requirements for the strength and dimensions of the locomotive underframe, collision posts, corner posts, front facing skin, etc. FRA uses the locomotive build date of January 1, 2009, for determining whether the locomotive is subject to the S-580 final rule.

The objective of this effort is to evaluate the impact of S-580 on the crashworthiness of the modern locomotive through a combination of statistical analysis, finite element (FE) modeling and simulation, as well as validation tests. The proposed research is expected to cover the following:

1. Review the FRA accident database to identify the number and types of collisions involving a modern locomotive (built after January 1, 2009) and perform an in-depth analysis of the collisions.

2. Develop collision evaluation criteria that can be used to objectively evaluate the modern locomotive crashworthiness performance with respect to S-580.

3. Review available Finite Element (FE) models of modern locomotive and develop and execute a plan to upgrade and improve the fidelity of the FE models.

4. Identify and perform key static and dynamic tests that can be used to validate the FE models.

5. Perform physics-based computer simulations replicating the identified collisions to analyze and assess the performance of the locomotive with respect to using the developed collision evaluation criteria.

6. Evaluate the impact of S-580 on the crashworthiness performance of the modern locomotive.

Train Control

Topic: FRA-TC-001

Title: Research in Response to Train Control and Communications Division Strategic Priorities (see BAA Section 2.5)

This topic is reserved for research projects that do not respond to one of the following topics, but are responsive to the strategic priorities detailed in BAA Section 2.5.

Topic: FRA-TC-002

Title: Highway Rail Grade Crossing Analysis Framework

Highway rail grade crossings present unique challenges to public agencies with respect to safety, traffic operations and environmental impacts. On the traffic operations side, the trend for longer freights trains is anticipated to continue, which means longer delays to motorists, congestion spillback impacts on secondary streets, and longer blockages for emergency vehicles. Train crossings also are becoming more frequent with the increase in metropolitan area light rail activity. In response, public agencies need an analysis framework to measure traffic impacts associated with at-grade rail crossings. While there is a wealth of information available on safety and traffic control at grade crossings, there appears to be little available information on operational analyses of grade crossings. Even the Highway Capacity Manual, which is the definitive reference on traffic analysis methods, does not address grade crossings.

This proposed project will develop an operational framework and methodology for evaluating the traffic impacts of at-grade highway rail crossings. The framework will consider how to quantify delay not just as a function of train lengths and average traffic levels but will be detailed enough to consider traffic signal settings and other local considerations of operational consequence so that mitigation of congestion, delays, and safety risks can be designed. The proposed project will include field data collection to be used in the development and validation of the framework. Guidance will be provided on how operational analysis of at-grade rail crossings should be conducted.

Human Factors

Topic: FRA-HF-001

Title: Projects In Response to Human Factors Division Strategic Priorities (see BAA Section 2.2)

This topic is reserved for research projects that do not respond to one of the following topics, but are responsive to the strategic priorities detailed in BAA Section 2.2.

Topic: HF-002

Title: Trespass Prevention and Suicide

The U.S Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued to Congress the first National Strategy to Prevent Trespassing on Railroad Property in 2019 (https://www.fra.dot.gov/eLib/Details/L19817). The report examines the causal factors that contribute to trespassing incidents on railroad property.

FRA seeks to support research that is aligned with the National Strategy to Prevent Trespassing on Railroad Property. For instance, a trespasser close call (or sometimes referred to as a near-hit) is a situation in which a trespasser is almost struck by a train, but escapes without injury and the incident is captured by a locomotive camera or reported by a train crew. Close call data would enable FRA to better identify trespasser hot spots and could be particularly beneficial in deploying law enforcement and railroad police more efficiently and determining what, if any, human factors engineering solutions may be feasible in particular circumstances.

Research proposals related to trespass may address, but are not limited to:

• Research that addresses trespasser mitigation through human factors engineering solutions and technology

• Identification and development, through independent analysis and collaboration with railroads and other stakeholders, known and new data sources and technology that could better identify trespasser hot spots or risk factors that lead to trespassing

• Identification and development of new analytical tools to effectively analyze trespasser data

In addition, the FRA is interested in objectively understanding the potential benefit of various forms of surveillance on railroad suicide prevention. Surveillance, be it through rail personnel trained to identify individuals at risk for suicide or through advanced technology, has the https://www.fra.dot.gov/eLib/Details/L19817 potential to identify suicide risks and intervene, but little is known about how effective these methods are for this purpose.

Research proposals related to suicide may address, but are not limited to:

• Research and development of technology to identify suicide risks and behaviors, including detection and intervention.

Topic: HF-003

Title: Combating Fatigue in the Railroad Industry

The FRA is interested in research and pilot projects that address the railroad industry’s susceptibility to the risk of injury and property damage caused by human fatigue and loss of attentiveness. This susceptibility is the result of several inevitable factors surrounding the around-the-clock operations faced by railroaders, including irregular hours of work, long shifts, and the unpredictability of on-duty times. FRA seeks to develop interventions and effective technological solutions to mitigate safety risks associated with these factors.

Research proposals may address, but are not limited to:

• Scheduling/calling systems

• Shiftwork

• Calling assignments

• Sleep disorder screening and treatment

• Fail-safe technologies

Topic: HF-004

Title: Human Factors Research in Vehicle and Rail Systems

FRA seeks to improve system designs and integration of advanced technology equipment in locomotive cabs and rail systems by including human capabilities and limitations in the design space for new safety solutions. The goal is to reduce risk of human error with the introduction of new control and display technologies in the locomotive cab and in rail operations. And generally, research the impact of technology Integration and interoperability of rail system equipment and the effect of such system designs on human performance, operational efficiency and system safety.

Additionally, research the impact of train and rail system technology on training and selection of personnel-- effects of automation on required job personnel skill sets and aptitude determination.

Research interests in the following areas also include:

• addressing rail systems design and standards with emphasis on automation design approaches and standardization of the human-machine interface

• design of the human-machine interface for improved situational awareness with emphasis on alerts and warning systems, and reduced risk of design induced error

• impacts of technology on human performance and operations

• human fatigue and impairment—automated detection and system responses.

RSI - Workforce Development Research

Topic: FRA-RSI-001

Title: Projects In Response to Railroad Systems Issues Strategic Priorities (see BAA Section 2.1)

This topic is reserved for research projects that do not respond to one of the following topics, but are responsive to the strategic priorities detailed in BAA Section 2.1.

Topic: FRA-RSI-002

Title: Making Railroading a Career of Choice

The railroad industry is currently using standard methods to recruit talent. This topic seeks innovative approaches in introducing and engaging talent at the Pre-K through college levels, vocational, workforce re-entrant, second-career candidates, and other potential pipeline groups in careers in railroad operations and safety. As the railroad industry workforce continues to age out and technology continues to evolve, there is an urgent need to create a pipeline for a sustainable workforce within the industry.

FRA’s research of the railroad industry workforce has identified risks and trends that indicate a need for a unifying and sustainable approach in the development of enterprise workforce strategies and networks. A comprehensive ‘toolkit’ is needed for outreach, partnership, branding (i.e. image creation and building, including the importance of a competent and diverse workforce), and recruitment for careers in the rail industry to improve awareness and interest in railroad careers.

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programs across the country that focus on Pre-K-12, especially K-5, provide insight on how the industry can grow talent from the ground up. Current programs existing in major metropolitan areas introduce America’s youth to STEM education and potentially provide a path to a transportation careers. Such programs are targeting girls, minorities, and workforce transitioning adults to provide them education, training, mentoring, coaching, and support systems. These foundational programs are successful and have found support at all levels of academia. STEM and other similar programs could inform strategies for developing a talented railroad workforce.

This comprehensive approach should place an emphasis on diversity, exploring opportunities in Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), women, technical/vocational/trade schools, community colleges, and other underrepresented groups and locations. It is highly encouraged that this initiative includes partnerships with small businesses, MSIs, underserved communities in rural areas, and/or academic institutions.

Ultimately, FRA needs to find out what is working and influence and facilitate its replication and sustainability. This initiative should include:

• Identification of industry best practice and lessons learned from programs and networks that promote careers in the railroad industry and identification of synergies/opportunities for FRA (and FRA collaborators) to participate and support, including:

o Discussions with the program staff regarding results, insights, gaps/areas of improvement, opportunities for participation from industry stakeholders, and other key observations

• Stakeholder collaboration to identify experiential learning and insider views of career opportunities available in the railroad industry and the knowledge, skills, and abilities to be successful

• Identification of potential and/or unexplored target areas where best practices can be expanded and/or used as a blueprint for future programming

• Discussions with industry collaborators to agree upon a core set of pilot programs and levels of participation

• Development of supporting implementation plans to field a core set of pilot programs and assess costs/sustainability

• Development of tools and techniques to promote partnerships and collaboration across the industry

Topic: FRA-RSI-003

Title: Investigating Standards and Best Practices in Knowledge Management across the Railroad Industry

Brain drain from retirements and attrition is a leading railroad industry workforce challenge.

This problem was identified in FRA’s research in railroad industry workforce trends and in the development of FRA’s strategic human capital plan. This topic seeks to provide an ongoing forum for identifying, creating, and institutionalizing standards and best practices in knowledge sharing and management. As retirements, workforce shrinkages, and losses continue to negatively impact resident knowledge, railroad leaders need aggressive planning and implementation, with a focus on information sharing across the industry.

The value of employees’ knowledge and experience cannot be overstated as an integral part of this forum. This initiative should include:

• Succession planning to address the loss of knowledge and leadership

• Forums to facilitate information sharing of knowledge management practices, measures of effectiveness, lessons learned, and tools; and documentation of those forums

• Consider practices from other industries and their applicability, feasibility, and scalability with regards to railroads

• Exploration of a set of minimum knowledge management standards that can be achieved over a mutually agreed-upon timeframe

The objective of this research is to provide new knowledge, insights, and implementation tools to assist FRA and the railroad industry in capturing, sharing, and reusing knowledge.

Topic: FRA-RSI-004

Title: Improving Workforce Development Data in the Railroad Industry

Workforce development data relevant to the railroad industry is critical in developing strategies to promote the railroad industry as a career path and to address challenges in the recruitment, retention, and development of the workforce. Current data sources are limited in scope, lack the desired overall standardization and consistency to provide stakeholders the insight to identify and address underlying workforce challenges.

An assessment of current workforce data is required, especially related to the already identified challenges experienced in the rail industry, to define and fully understand what critical gaps exist. Defining meaningful, outdated, or missing data elements will provide stakeholders the opportunity to consider new methods to capture data, and create actionable information.

Standardization of the data sets is essential to increase predictive analytics and trend analysis capabilities, increasing the value of and participation in the data collection process. Timeliness of data is also important to ensure the latest information is available and accurately reflects current trends and status of challenges in the workforce. Methods to achieve improved collaboration and data sharing will provide the potential to improve the railroad industry talent pool and maintain a highly skilled workforce. Data that is relevant, consistent, and timely is essential to achieve this objective.

The value of improved workforce data is essential to keeping pace with industry trends and to quickly address emerging challenges to the workforce that impact the operational bottom-line.

This initiative should consider:

• Data standardization across stakeholder groups is needed to align data and increase its overall value in addressing workforce challenges.

• Improved data sources may require increased collaboration and sharing across entities.

• Consider data collection techniques and practices from other industries and how they may apply to workforce challenges in the railroad industry.

• Consider establishing “core” data sets that can be easily defined, collected, and shared.

The objective of this research is to provide new insight on workforce development data that will assist FRA and the railroad industry in better understanding challenges, leading to more timely response to current problem areas, and prepare for future challenges.