Broad Agency Announcement-Research Initiatives In Support of Rail Safety

The Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration published a Broad Agency Announcement on March 26, 2020 soliciting research project proposals and concept papers in support of rail safety. The announcement seeks applied technology research across topic areas including track inspection, rolling stock, train control, human factors, and workforce development.

The Special Notice aims to fund research projects addressing critical rail safety issues through contracts, cooperative agreements, or grants. Concept papers are due by May 22, 2020, and selected offerors will then be invited to submit formal proposals. Awards will range from $50,000 to $500,000 for applied technology research at Technology Readiness Levels 1-7, with a preference for partnerships with railroads and other industry stakeholders. Research topics focus on initiatives in areas such as autonomous track inspection, rail flaw detection, locomotive crashworthiness, grade crossing safety, worker fatigue prevention, and workforce data quality improvement to advance safety and strategic priorities through demonstrated understanding of challenges.