TRB seeks proposals for Safety IDEA Program
Written by Douglas John BowenThe Transportation Research Board (TRB) said Wednesday, May 14, 2014 it is accepting proposals for its Safety IDEA Program, "which supports the development and testing of innovative concepts and methods for improving railroad safety or performance."
Safety IDEA proposals are due Sept. 16, 2014.
TRB said Safety IDEA proposals will be considered for promising but unproven innovations to advance railroad practice. “Such proposals can apply to any type of railroad, including high-speed rail, intercity passenger rail, or freight railroads,” TRB said.
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 is an acronym for for Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis. The Safety IDEA Program provides funding at an early stage of the development process for promising but unproven innovative concepts or methods. IDEA proposals can be for up to $100,000 in IDEA funds. The Federal Railroad Administration funds the Safety IDEA Program.
More information, including instructions for preparing and submitting IDEA proposals, is available on the IDEA website. Questions can be emailed to TRB’s Jon Williams or Allen Gause.
TRB, one of six major divisions of the National Research Council— a private, nonprofit institution—was established in 1920. TRB says its mission is “to promote innovation and progress in transportation through research.”
