The RTP team organized and staffed a statewide rail transportation conference for Michigan DOT. The conference was conducted in a single day, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. The complete program schedule with all speakers is included in Appendix C.
RTP has received over $1 million through externally funded research projects to date. We partner with other university programs and departments, with outside agencies and sources like MDOT and USDOT, other universities, and with industry partnerships like CN and Union Pacific.
Projects
Sponsored by: NURail Center, MDOT
Amount Awarded:
$21 300.00
Project Schedule:
Aug, 2013 to Aug, 2014
Principal Investigator: Francis Bremmer
Co-PI(s): Yidan Lou, Justin Tumberg, Kyle Pepin, Alyssa Sahr
The current type E Janney coupler has not been significantly modified since the original patent was filed in 1873. Couplers that fail while in use cause major delays costing rail companies and customer’s time and money. Alternative materials are being considered to increase fatigue life and decrease weight. This Senior Design team has researched the current failure modes, potential design modifications and potential changes in materials. The type E and corresponding redesigned knuckles from alternative materials will be prototyped and tested to validate initial findings.
Sponsored by: NURail Center
Project Schedule:
Sep, 2013 to Mar, 2014
Principal Investigator: Cin/Optic Media
The Rail Transportation Program revolves around preparing students to create the future of the rail industry. Cin/Optic Media is a Michigan Tech Enterprise partnering with RTP and NuRail to create a promotional video and materials. Cin/Optic is developing a video that will highlight the opportunities that RTP offers to students as well as taking a closer look at the ever growing rail industry and how students in the RTP will be contributing to the future of the transportation industry. With the help of Cin/Optic the RTP will demonstrate the benefits of rail initiatives and how rail can reduce environmental impact significant in the transportation industry.
Sponsored by: NURail Center
Project Schedule:
Dec, 2013 to May, 2014
