FRA Initiatives: Dr. Magdy El-Sibaie, Chief of FRA's Track Research Division (continued)
IJ: What's the size of the FRA R&D Department?
El-Sibaie: The R&D group is
divided into two sections. The infrastructure section that
I am in charge of deals with track, vehicle/track interaction,
signals and train control, and grade crossings. The other
R&D section, headed by Ms. Claire Orth, deals with equipment,
operating practices, hazardous materials, human factors,
and occupant protection issues. The nine program managers
under my direction in the infrastructure group tend to specialize
in specific areas of research. We also work very closely
with another 10 to 12 more technically focused experts at
the Volpe Center, a sister agency of the Department of Transportation,
which we count on to compliment our group.
We also do cooperative work with the AAR, through
their TTCI [Transportation Technology Center Inc.] subsidiary,
and directly with railroads when appropriate. We also work
closely with independent consulting firms and private manufacturing
companies. In fact, the bulk of the FRA's $25-million R&D
budget is allocated to programs and projects done by organizations
outside of the federal government, under our direction.
IJ: Give an example of how
R&D works directly with a freight railway.
El-Sibaie:
We are working right now on a hi-rail based optical
system that takes high-resolution images of joint bars.
A laser sensor detects the presence of a joint bar then
arms the camera to take high-resolution images of the field
and gauge sides of the joint bars on both rails. We want
to know if cracks are visible in the high-resolution image,
and if the system can be used to automate and increase the
speed of visual inspection. Union Pacific and CP Rail have
already helped us during testing of a prototype, and a final
system is now ready for full-blown field-testing planned
first on Union Pacific tracks.
Another example is a project that we are currently
funding through a grant to the University of Nebraska to
develop a system that can measure variations in vertical
stiffness of the track from a moving rail car on which the
system is mounted. The prototype was promising and both
UP and BNSF assisted in its testing.
IJ: In a case
like this, you also need to get a supplier involved.
El-Sibaie:
In the case of the University of Nebraska grant,
the university decides which suppliers to work with. In
other cases, we will select a supplier with the appropriate
technical resources. We also retain consultants to assist
us, depending on whether it's the development of a product
or the execution of a task. But aside from congressional
earmarks, the bulk of our funding is appropriated through
a government procurement process that ensures that awards
are fair and competitive.
