The TRAIN Lab is excited to be part of the new Rail Center for Research Enhancing Shortline Transportation (RailCREST) that was recently selected for a $6.87 million Federal Railroad Administration grant through the 2024 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program. Led by Penn State Altoona, Rail CREST will bring together faculty and researchers from six partnering institutions: Kansas State University, University of Texas at Austin, Auburn University, University of South Carolina and University of New Mexico. This collaboration will facilitate 10 targeted research projects to provide practical, cost-effective solutions tailored to the unique needs of short line rail operators. The TRAIN lab will lead two of these projects, examining best practices to streamline interchange through better design and operations at the interface between Class 1 and shortline railroads, and developing tools that can quantify the life-cycle benefits of last-mile transportation via shortline railways compared to highway trucks. We are excited to begin this work in late 2025!
Read more about RailCREST here.