ENGINEERING PERSPECTIVES
to address challenges that can only be met through communication and collaboration. Away from the blue light glare of social media clickbait, I was impressed at the shared focus on railway safety priorities: roadrail crossings. Hundreds of avoidable deaths occur every year at railway crossings, where risky human behavior continues to overcome the best efforts of technology and regulation. There is broad consensus and renewed commitment to advance crossing safety initiatives. The Railway Crossing Elimination Grants (RCE) are a shining example, and many of the 70+ grants the FRA has obligated so far this year are RCE. Short lines and Class II railroads seem to be entering their Golden Age. CRISI grants and private equity investment provide financial support, while they continue to upskill their human equity with great leadership. A functional partnership with Class Is has evolved that allows each to do what
they excel at, and this creates opportunity for the short line industry. Looking ahead, ongoing investment in technology and innovation will continue to boost safety and reliability metrics. We sense the regulators are trying to catch up and also protect rules that have served well in the past. At HDR, our data science practice group is achieving amazing things for our clients. We are investing heavily in AI. HDR adopted two AI platforms, and we are training our people as “citizen-practitioners”; empowering thousands of our staff to generate smart tech solutions without relying on IT specialists or custom software. HDR also embraces uniquely human abilities. It’s our people who help prioritize objectives to develop solutions that optimize economic and social benefits while minimizing adverse impacts. With strong partnerships and strategic investments, the industry is well positioned to navigate challenges to seize opportunities ahead.
AT HDR, OUR DATA SCIENCE PRACTICE GROUP IS ACHIEVING AMAZING THINGS FOR OUR CLIENTS. WE ARE INVESTING HEAVILY IN AI.
The Railway Educational Bureau Basic Principles of Track Maintenance
Basic Principles of Track Maintenance progresses from an overview of the basic track structure to examinations of its components and ends with a comprehensive look at turnouts and right-of-way.
uide for ss-function . Highthroughout. d practices.
BKTMB
Basic Principles of Track Maintenance
$150.00
Railway Geotechnics
$109.95
Railway Geotechnics covers track, track substructure, load environment, materials, mechanics, design, construction, measurements, and management. It is written primarily for professionals and graduate students.
BKGEOTECH
Railway Geotechnics
$200.00
The Railroad What it is, What it does
Photo Credit: (Left) HDR
What it is What it does
Managing Major Railroad Programs
Managing Major Railway Programs explains the analytical principles of Project Management as applied to executing large programs and major projects on active railways and rail transit systems.
Ballast Railroad Design
Ballast Railroad Design presents a comprehensive procedure for the design of ballasted track based on a combination of extensive laboratory testing, computational modeling and field measurements.
BKBALLASTRD
rtands.com
Ballast Railroad Design
$84.00
$49.95
Reprinted by popular demand, this book is a valuable reference for those who plan and execute track maintenance and construction. Fold-out diagrams. Softcover. 301 pages.
$56.50
BKTDH Track Data Handbook
800-228-9670
www.RailwayEducationalBureau.com
$89.95 $79.95
BKMMRP (hard cover) BKMMRPP (paperback)
The Track Data Handbook
The fifth edition of The Railroad: What It Is, What it Does is even more valuable than before. Inside you’ll find a comprehensive look at how today’s railroads function.
BKRRNN
Track Resources
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March 2026 // Railway Track & Structures 15