Clients
The two primary clients for the Rail and Transit Systems Division are the Federal Railroad Administration's Office of Research and Development and Office of Safety.
The FRA Office of Research and Development conducts research, development, test, and evaluation projects to support the FRA's safety assurance and regulatory responsibilities and to enhance the railroad system as a national transportation resource. The Rail and Transit Systems Division provides support in the areas of Positive Train Control, Grade Crossing Safety, Crash Safety, and Emergency Preparedness.
The FRA Office of Railroad Development performs research on high-speed rail safety and several activities authorized under the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA21). The latter include: the Next Generation High-Speed Rail Technology Program, the Grade Crossing Hazard Elimination Program, and the Maglev Deployment Program. The Rail and Transit Systems Division provides research and development support to FRA on all of these activities.
The FRA Office of Safety maintains and enhances the safety of the nation's railroads through development and enforcement of federal safety regulations. The Rail and Transit Systems Division provides technical expertise in the development of new safety regulations that encompass the latest technologies in railroading.
The FTA Urban Maglev Program seeks to improve one or more maglev technologies using advancements resulting from U.S. technology research and development. The Rail and Transit Systems Division provides support in evaluating and monitoring the technical progress of low speed Urban Maglev Systems that are being developed through FTA funding.
