Exploring the future of freight and passenger rail is the core mission of Rail Research at the Texas Transportation Institute. Other activities include the interaction of rail with other transportation modes such as intermodal trucking or ships and with traffic at highway-rail crossings.
TTI's dedicated and innovative staff of rail researchers looks at ways to improve and expand the use of rail, to meet the growing demand for moving both people and freight.
Safety being a key ingredient in research efforts, TTI Rail Research hosts a bi-annual National Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Training Conference. This venue provides university-based researchers, industry professionals, federal and state department of transportation personnel, consultants, and vendors the opportunity to discuss current and future efforts to enhance safety for the public at highway-rail grade crossings. In addition, staff is involved with programs, such as Operation Lifesaver, to help educate the public about the dangers inherent at highway-rail crossings and trespassing along rail rights-of-way.