Suggested Research Agenda for the Railroad Industry

The railroad industry is experiencing a worldwide resurgence. International trade is booming as populations continue to grow and transportation infrastructures are nearing capacity. In the United States, the industry is being pressured to provide more services, while at the same time traffic levels are skyrocketing on a network that is much smaller than it was just fifty years ago. Additionally, security and safety issues are challenging the industry, as well as the regulatory agencies associated with railroading. To help with these problems, the industry is calling for more academic involvement through new degree programs and research initiatives. This paper reviews five major areas where academic research could assist the railroad industry in these challenges: capacity expansion, service standards, safety, security, and data management and analysis.