Since its ribbon cutting ceremony five months ago the National University Rail Center of Excellence (NURail CoE) is off to a strong start. University partners have submitted Internal RFPs for projects with Fall 2024 start dates that are in line with the scope of the NURail CoE and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) objectives. Each institution will have at least one project started by the Spring 2025 semester.
NURail CoE has also accomplished the following:
- Assembled a Research Review Committee (RRC) of industry experts to review and provide comments on internal RFPs.
- Formed an External Advisory Board (EAB) of industry experts including organized labor representatives.
- Held the first annual NURail CoE meeting with the partners on 13 August 2024 in conjunction with the Michigan Rail Conference.
- Exhibited at the AREMA Annual Conference, highlighting NURail CoE and its partners.
- Three research projects began work.
- Subaward contracts were finalized with all eight partner institutions.
- The CoE Detailed Work Plan (DWP) was completed and submitted.
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign hosted two William W. Hay Railroad Engineering Seminars.
The consortium anticipates that the next quarter will be even stronger as they continue with their plans and projects to advance their mission to develop solutions that will lead to a safer, more efficient, and reliable passenger and freight rail transportation system in the United States.