University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) is a leader in railway engineering research and education in North America, with a rich history of significant contributions dating back more than a century. UIUC has a distinguished record of accomplishment and remains highly respected by today’s railroad engineering community. UIUC has substantially expanded its Rail Transportation and Engineering Center (RailTEC) through rail research and educational programs during the past 25 years. UIUC is committed to, and actively engaged in, supporting the development of other academic rail programs in the US. UIUC’s long and distinguished leadership in railroad transportation reflects a deep institutional knowledge and commitment to the field, including expertise in traditional rail disciplines as well as new and emerging research areas critical to safe, economical, energy efficient, reliable passenger and freight rail.
University of Illinois Chicago
The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) is an MSI and a leader in transportation planning, rail and public transit, freight, and intermodal modeling and behavior. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has an extensive rail program supporting freight, intercity passenger, and urban rail transport, including research at both UIUC and UIC. The Urban Transportation Center (UTC) is a research unit dedicated to innovative transportation research and education that provides technical assistance on urban transportation planning, policy, operations, finance and management. As part of the College of Urban Planning & Public Affairs at UIC, the UTC is a nationally recognized innovator in research, education, and engagement that benefits transportation networks in cities and metropolitan areas across America. Research is concentrated in these four core clusters: transit planning, operations and management; transportation funding and financing; freight planning operations and management; and data development for transportation planning and analysis.
University of Delaware
The University of Delaware (UD) Railroad Engineering and Safety Program provides undergraduate and graduate courses, including a Graduate Certificate in Railroad Engineering, as well as a full range of railway-related research with a strong focus on track, vehicle-track interaction, and the application of data science (data analytics) to railway inspection and maintenance management. It organizes and hosts the annual Big Data in Railway Maintenance Management Conference which draws more than 200 registrants.
Kansas State University
Kansas State University (K-State) has deep rail industry ties with many engineering and business alumni previously or currently serving at the executive level for many Class I and short line railroads. Upgraded laboratory facilities enable faculty to evaluate concrete crossties — from material testing to structural design — and test unique concrete mixtures and their durability. K-State leads and administers the Rural Railroad Safety Center funded by FRA.
Michigan Technological University
Michigan Technological University (Michigan Tech) established Rail Transportation Program in 2007 and has developed into a one of the national leaders for railway education, research, and workforce development programs, including promoting and supporting their development at other universities. In addition to railroad research projects led by faculty and staff across multiple disciplines, Michigan Tech has an extensive workforce development and education portfolio ranging from K-12 education to tech transfer for industry professionals. These include the Tracks to the Future program, the Rail Transportation Minor, and organizing the Michigan/Midwest Rail Conference. Michigan Tech is also home for the inaugural AREMA student chapter, Railroad Engineering and Activities Club (REAC),
Morgan State University
Morgan State University (MSU) is a HBCU and Maryland’s Preeminent Public Urban Research University. MSU frequently uses Baltimore as a living laboratory to address underserved and underinvested communities’ needs. MSU’s Transportation and Urban Infrastructure Development is part of the CRISI program titled, “Development and Implementation of HBCU-based Rail Engineering Program for Underrepresented Communities.”
Rutgers University
Rutgers University (RU) is the home of the Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation and the Rutgers Rail and Transit Program, a leading academic hub for rail- and transit-related research, education, and workforce development in the New York-New Jersey 25 metropolitan area. RU’s projects and expertise include grade crossing safety, trespassing prevention, infrastructure data mining, intelligent rail systems, and hazardous material transportation safety and risk.
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin (UT) is an HSI and has a rapidly emerging railway engineering research center and educational program. UT offers rail-focused courses and is conducting leading research on railway operations, network efficiency, alternative energy, and safety through the Texas Railway Analysis & Innovation Node (TRAIN). UT’s rail research portfolio also includes developing advanced technologies for rail and track defect detection, and design of railroad bridge structures to resist increasing loads due to longer and heavier trains.
Tuskegee University
The Tuskegee University (TU) College of Engineering has been conducting rail engineering research and education for more than 20 years. TU is an HBCU with capabilities in mechanical, fracture and fatigue testing, microstructural analysis, welding failure analysis, and heat treatment.