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Rail Safety IDEA Program

Rail Safety IDEA

  • Important Dates
  • Apply
  • Resources
  • Contact Us
  • Current projects
  • Completed projects

What is Rail Safety IDEA?

The Rail Safety IDEA Program is sponsored by the Federal Railroad Administration, and it provides funding for projects that promote innovative approaches to improve railroad safety or performance. Such proposals can apply to any type of railroad, including high-speed railroads, intercity passenger rail, or freight railroads. IDEA programs differ from traditional research programs in two ways: IDEA projects are initiated by researchers rather than by a request for proposals, and funding can support initial testing of unproven concepts.

Rail Safety IDEA by the numbers

Established

2003

Proposals received

417

Projects funded

49

Funds awarded in $ millions

4.2

Applying to the Program

1 Read the IDEA Program Announcement, and pay close attention to the following information:

  • Additional areas for possible investigation
  • Detailed proposal package instructions
  • FAQs (many of your questions have been answered!)
  • Rail Safety IDEA Evaluation Form

2 Pay close attention on the four areas proposals are evaluated on:

  • Innovation: Is the concept new?
  • Research Approach: Is the approach reasonable and sound?
  • Potential Benefits: Does the concept solve an important problem?
  • Implementation/ commercialization: Does the implementation plan appear practical and effective?

3 Proposers are encouraged to do the following:

  • Download all required forms (cover, budget summary, and liability statement sheet) by clicking on Proposal Submission Forms.
  • Get participation of railroads in Rail Safety IDEA proposals, such as participation in testing of innovative methods or prototypes in appropriate proposals.
  • Letters to proposers from railroads confirming their participation strengthen proposals. Any letters from railroads confirming their participation in Rail Safety IDEA proposals should be addressed to the proposer and should briefly describe what that participation would be.
  • Rail Safety IDEA proposals with a potential path to early implementation of results are also particularly encouraged.

4 Submit your proposal, along with all attachments, enclosures, and support letters, in a single PDF to Rail Safety IDEA Proposal Portal.

Important dates

January Rail Safety IDEA Annual Progress Report released
September Annual Progress Report submissions due for active projects
December 15 Deadline for submitting Rail Safety IDEA Proposals
May Oversight Panel Proposal Selection Meeting
May Notification of proposal selection status

Resources

Card image
IDEA Program Announcement
Card image
IDEA Brochure
Rail Safety IDEA Annual Progress Report

IDEA Staff

Velvet Basemera-Fitzpatrick

Rail Safety IDEA Manager

Inam Jawed

NCHRP IDEA Manager

Demisha Williams

Senior Program Assistant

Current Projects

Completed Projects

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