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Rail
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Powering Reliable Rail in Any Weather

Railroads are the backbone of the U.S. economy and boast the highest operating efficiency of all land-based freight transportation. Freight trains carry everything from automobiles, gasoline, and food to laptops, shoes, and construction equipment. Everything we use in our daily lives likely traveled on a train at some point. In some cities, commuters rely on trains every day to get to and from work and school. U.S. railroads operate over 140,000 miles of track nationwide 24/7/365 through a variety of weather conditions. However, extreme weather conditions threaten to disrupt the safe and reliable operation of the railroads. Potential hazards include temperature extremes (heat and cold) which can buckle and crack railroad tracks threatening increased repair costs, service delays, and potential derailments. Strong winds can topple over trains resulting in significant economic losses. Flooding can wash out tracks and require complete rebuilding of some lines. This can cause months-long service disruptions and increased costs to consumers if freight has to pivot to other forms of transportation like trucking. By partnering with TMAP, the railroad industry and its partners remain efficient and on-time for the long haul, both today and tomorrow. 















Products and ToolsTechnologiesEvents







Focus Areas of Research









Blowover Risk


Keeping Freight Moving Safely During High Winds








Rail Buckling


Mitigating Extreme Temperature Impacts on Tracks








Track Washout


Protecting Rail Networks from Flood and Washout Risks













Contact








Amanda Siems-Anderson



Scientist V

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Curtis Walker



Scientist V

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This material is based upon work supported by the NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research, a major facility sponsored by the U.S. National Science Foundation and managed by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. National Science Foundation.







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