UTRGV joins $9.7 million Rail Safety Research Initiative

Advancing rail safety innovation through UTRGV’s Transportation Center for Railway Safety

By Maria Gonzalez

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, through its University Transportation Center for Railway Safety (UTCRS), has joined a $9.7 million partnership led by the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS).

This initiative, funded by the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), aims to advance rail safety research and innovation.

As part of this collaboration, UTRGV was awarded $4 million to implement state-of-the-art technology to prevent train derailments caused by wheel and bearing failures.

The other partners in this initiative are Hum Industrial Technology, Inc., and the Transportation Technology Center (TTC) operated by ENSCO Inc., who each bring specialized expertise and resources to support the BRS-led project.

The partnership, supported by the FRA’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program for Fiscal Year 2023-2024, focuses on innovative research, workforce development, and enhancing rail safety standards.

“This partnership exemplifies how a labor union like BRS can make a lasting impact in applied research and development, driving real advancements in rail safety across the United States,” said Dr. Can (John) Saygin, UTRGV senior vice president for Research and dean of the Graduate College.

“UTRGV is proud to establish an environment that enhances testing capabilities and expands R&D infrastructure, setting the stage for improved safety protocols on a national level.”

Michael S. Baldwin, president of BRS, emphasized the collaboration’s impact.

“The BRS, in partnership with UTRGV, Hum Industrial Technology, Inc., and the TTC applied for this CRISI grant to explore future technology related to rail safety and operational efficiency,” Baldwin said.

“The implications of this partnership go well beyond just this endeavor; it is the BRS’ hope that similar partnerships will be formed as a way of establishing not only future technologies but workforce development and training so BRS members and rail workers in all crafts may continue growing with these advancements” he said. 

COLLABORATIVE COMMITMENT TO RAIL SAFETY

1. Quinn Norman, vice president, Headquarters, and project lead for BRS, described the initiative as a historic step forward in advancing rail safety and technology innovation.

“This partnership is a historic milestone for BRS, UTRGV, Hum, and the TTC, representing the dedication and innovation of everyone involved,” Norman said. “The hard work and cooperation of our teams are propelling us beyond traditional boundaries, advancing rail safety for our communities.”

Norman added that BRS is proud to champion this collaboration, where each partner brings vital expertise in research, development, product testing, workforce development, and technology distribution.

“This milestone signifies not only our commitment to excellence but also our shared vision for the future of the rail industry,” he said.

Reflecting on the project’s support, Norman expressed gratitude to FRA Administrator Amit Bose, Associate Administrator Mark Patterson, and all FRA members who have committed their careers to advancing a safer rail network.

INTEGRATED TECHNOLOGY AND RESEARCH FOCUS

The technology from this initiative will provide carriers with the ability to identify and detect potential failures well in advance of catastrophic events, even while railcars are in service. 

Research at UTRGV’s UTCRS, led by Dr. Constantine Tarawneh, director of UTCRS and principal investigator, focuses on mitigating train derailments caused by rolling stock failures. 

“Rolling stock failures pose serious risks to lives and infrastructure, and we need prescriptive technology to ensure our rail network’s safety and reliability,” Tarawneh said. 

“At UTCRS, we’re implementing advanced onboard sensors for real-time detection to provide early alerts and prevent derailments.”

Tarawneh highlighted UTCRS’s unique capabilities, stating, “UTCRS has the most extensive bearing test facilities available for contract testing in the United States – we will lead laboratory testing and support partners in design work and data analysis to ensure accuracy and efficacy.”

CONTRIBUTIONS OF KEY PARTNERS TO ENHANCED RAIL SAFETY

As part of the CRISI project, Next Generation PTC-Integrated Onboard Smart Technologies and Training for Rolling Stock Condition Monitoring to Mitigate Train Derailment (NexGenPOST2), UTCRS and key partners contribute specialized expertise to this BRS-led initiative. 

• Transportation Technology Center (TTC), operated by ENSCO, Inc., will install bearing monitoring equipment on rolling stock and communication systems at wayside installations and a test locomotive. Through rigorous field testing at TTC, conducted in collaboration with UTRGV’s UTCRS, the TTC will validate the system’s effectiveness in detecting defective bearing conditions and ensuring equipment durability.
• Hum Industrial Technology, Inc. (Hum), led by founder and CEO Byron Porter, will integrate its Hum Boomerang railcar sensor’s live bearing and wheel condition monitoring data into the railroad’s communication network. Following testing at UTCRS and TTC, Hum’s onboard sensors will deliver real-time railcar data directly to the locomotive cab or dispatch center, allowing for quick response to equipment failures and improved long-term planning to minimize service disruptions.

Together, BRS, UTRGV’s UTCRS, and its partners are advancing predictive technology, workforce development, and railway safety. An official Partnership Agreement signing ceremony is planned in the coming months, reinforcing a shared commitment to transformative rail safety initiatives.