TRB accepting proposals for innovative rail safety ideas

The Transportation Research Board (TRB) is accepting proposals for the Safety IDEA (Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis) Program, which supports the development and testing of innovative concepts and methods for improving railroad safety or performance. Proposals are due Sept. 15, 2015.

Rail Safety IDEA proposals will be considered for “promising but unproven” innovations to advance railroad practice, TRB says. Such proposals can apply to any type of railroad, including high-speed rail, intercity passenger rail, or freight railroads.

Proposals are encouraged for innovations in a variety of areas in railroad systems—safety, security and environment; human factors; rolling stock and components; track and structures; track/train interaction; grade crossings; hazardous materials transportation; and train occupant protection.

IDEA proposals can be for up to $100,000 in IDEA funds. The Federal Railroad Administration is funding the program.

Instructions for preparing and submitting IDEA proposals are available on the IDEA website at: www.trb.org/idea.