Rail Safety Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (IDEA) Program Committee

Committee Scope: The committee oversees management of the Transportation Safety Technology (TST) IDEA program including project selection, progress review and coordination with related research efforts. TST-IDEA provides funding for independent investigations that explore new engineering concepts and support initial development of innovative engineering methods and systems that have potential to enhance transportation safety. The technical focus includes, but is not limited to: application of insights into crash causation to mitigate risks; effectiveness and enforcement of safety regulations and standards; devices and methods to facilitate compliance with safety regulations; improved training and education for driving, maintenance, management, and enforcement personnel; car-truck proximity and roadway sharing safety; and collecting, maintaining, and mining safety data resources.

Committee Code: E1008

Responsible Staff: Dr. Inam Jawed

Additional Staff: Kevin Padilla

Name	Committee Membership	Role	Organization	Title	Email
Martita Mullen	E1008 Rail Safety Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (IDEA) Program Committee Chair	Chair	Amtrak Capital Delivery	AVP Yards and Facilities	*****
Inam Jawed	X0020 TCRP Oversight and Project Selection Commission (TOPS) Information Copy D2030 NCHRP Project Panel on IDEA (Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis) CRP Staff E1008 Rail Safety Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (IDEA) Program Committee CRP Staff TJ04 Transit Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (IDEA) Program Panel CRP Staff DRS058 Rail Safety Project Panel on AI-Enabled In-Motion Assessment of Continuous Welded Rail CRP Staff DRS059 Rail Safety Project Panel on Autonomous Robotic System for Detecting Rail Anchor Failures using Computer Vision CRP Staff DRS060 Rail Safety Project Panel on Preventing Turnout Failures through Advanced Analytics and Real-Time Monitoring CRP Staff DRS061 Rail Safety Project Panel on RailRisk Advisor: A Web-GIS Tool for Assessing Railroad Trespassing Risk and Recommending Countermeasures CRP Staff D2030261 NCHRP Project Panel on Development of An Innovative, Bio-Mediated, Self-Healing Concrete Technology CRP Staff D2030262 NCHRP Project Panel on Condition Assessment Technology for Bridge Decks with Waterproofing Membranes CRP Staff D2030263 NCHRP Project Panel on A Decision Support System for Operational Forecasting of New Snow Natural Avalanches CRP Staff D2030264 NCHRP Project Panel on Low-Cost, AI-Based System for Temporary Traffic Control Review CRP Staff D2030265 NCHRP Project Panel on Development of an AI-Powered IDEAL Fatigue Test with a Low-Cost Loading Frame CRP Staff D2030266 NCHRP Project Panel on Development of an IDEAL-Low Temperature Cracking (IDEAL-LT) Test for Balance Mix Design and Acceptance in Cold Regions CRP Staff D2030267 NCHRP Project Panel on A Novel Method to Optimize N-Design for Balanced Performance and Compactibility CRP Staff DRS062 Rail Safety Project Panel on Field Assessment of Portable Inspection for Rail Weld Geometry Based on Multi-Point Chord Reference (MCR) Measurement Technology CRP Staff DRS063 Rail Safety Project Panel on Next-Generation Third-Rail Safety: Modular Sensing and AI-Based Novelty Detection for Rapid Transit CRP Staff DRS064 Rail Safety Project Panel on Low-Cost Smartphone-Based 3D Reconstruction for Quantifying Ballast Degradation: a Multi-Scale Approach to Enhanced Rail Safety and Digital Twin Development CRP Staff	CRP Staff	Transportation Research Board	Senior Program Officer	*****
Kevin Padilla	D2030 NCHRP Project Panel on IDEA (Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis) CRP Staff E1008 Rail Safety Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (IDEA) Program Committee CRP Staff TJ04 Transit Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (IDEA) Program Panel CRP Staff D2044 NCHRP Project Panel on Accelerating the Application of NCHRP Research Results CRP Staff D1561 NCHRP Project Panel on Hydrologic and Hydraulic Design Guide for Transportation Infrastructure CRP Staff D17102 NCHRP Project Panel on Safety Performance for Active Transportation Modes using Exposure Models CRP Staff D2333 NCHRP Project Panel on Managed Retreat to Address Extreme Weather, Natural Hazards, and Climate Impacts CRP Staff D204443 NCHRP Project Panel on Implementation of NCHRP Domestic Scan Report 16-02: Leading Landscape Design Practices for Cost-Effective Roadside Water Management CRP Staff D204452 NCHRP Project Panel on Implementing A Guidebook for Urban and Suburban Roadway Cross Section Reallocation CRP Staff D08180 NCHRP Project Panel on Streamlining Tools for Cultural Resources Compliance in Response to Federally Mandated Timeframes CRP Staff D1926 NCHRP Project Panel on Impact of Fuel Economy Standards and Vehicle Ownership Trends on Federal Gas Tax Receipts CRP Staff D204453 NCHRP Project Panel on Implementing A Proposed Macro-Level Safety Planning Analysis Chapter for the Highway Safety Manual CRP Staff D204454 NCHRP Project Panel on Implementing An Emergency Management Playbook for State Transportation Agencies CRP Staff D2024150 NCHRP Project Panel on A Framework for Data Exchanges Between Transportation Agencies and Third-Party Mapping Organizations CRP Staff D204455 NCHRP Project Panel on Implementation of Pollinator Habitat Conservation along Roadways CRP Staff D204456 NCHRP Project Panel on Implementation Project to Measure and Communicate the Value of Access Management CRP Staff D204457 NCHRP Project Panel on Implementing Scenario Planning Across Transportation Agencies CRP Staff d204458 NCHRP Project Panel on Implementing the Research Results of NCHRP Research Report 1002, Metropolitan Planning Organizations: Strategies for Future Success CRP Staff D08186 NCHRP Project Panel on Distributed Rainfall-Runoff Models to Support the Planning and Design of Resilient Transportation Systems CRP Staff D08187 NCHRP Project Panel on Primer for Using Generative AI Models in Transportation Planning CRP Staff D08190 NCHRP Project Panel on A Decision Framework for Advancing Safe Truck Parking CRP Staff D08191 NCHRP Project Panel on Safe Connections for Tribal and Rural Communities to the Intercity Bus Network Project Data CRP Staff D08192 NCHRP Project Panel on Traffic Impacts of E-Commerce in Urbanized Areas: A Guide CRP Staff D08194 NCHRP Project Panel on Building an Effective Framework for Active Transportation Messaging CRP Staff D10144 NCHRP Project Panel on Using Pay Adjustment Systems to Incentivize Quality Highway Construction CRP Staff D20132 NCHRP Project Panel on Electric Vehicle Fire Mitigation and Response Toolkit CRP Staff D20133 NCHRP Project Panel on Toolkit for Implementation of AI-Based Solutions for State Departments of Transportation CRP Staff D20135 NCHRP Project Panel on Incorporating Public Health Outcomes into the Transportation Planning and Decision-Making Process CRP Staff D20138 NCHRP Project Panel on Defining, Assessing, and Monitoring Transportation System Health: Guide CRP Staff D2342 NCHRP Project Panel on Identifying Curriculum Needs for Workforce Development in Transportation Asset Management CRP Staff D2346 NCHRP Project Panel on AI Integration and Workforce Transformation for State DOTs CRP Staff D2348 NCHRP Project Panel on Public Value of Transportation: A Practical Guide to Assess, Measure, and Communicate CRP Staff D2572 NCHRP Project Panel on Methods to Measure Emerging Contaminants in Stormwater CRP Staff D204459 NCHRP Project Panel on Using Information from CAVs to Enhance Freeway Operational Strategies CRP Staff DTFPE08 TFPE Project Panel on Evaluation of FHWA Highway Safety Information Systems (HSIS) CRP Staff DTFPE09 TFPE Project Panel on Evaluation of FHWA’s Focus on Reducing Rural Roadway Departures (FoRRRwD) Program CRP Staff D204460 NCHRP Project Panel on Implementing a Training Program on the Use of High Recycled Binder Ratio Asphalt Mixtures CRP Staff D2024151 NCHRP Project Panel on Implementation of Artificial Intelligence Programs in State and Local Departments of Transportation CRP Staff D03156 NCHRP Project Panel on Size of Regulatory and Warning Signs CRP Staff D08198 NCHRP Project Panel on Data for Forecasting Truck Parking and Land Use CRP Staff D20140 NCHRP Project Panel on Framework for Transportation Systems Management and Operations Curricula CRP Staff D20142 NCHRP Project Panel on Effective Communications Strategies for a Road Usage Charge Funding Solution CRP Staff D2350 NCHRP Project Panel on How AI Can Support Data Quality Improvements CRP Staff D204461 NCHRP Project Panel on Implementing a Guide for Snow and Ice Control Operations CRP Staff D03157 NCHRP Project Panel on Developing a Standardized Framework for Real-Time Freight-Specific Traveler Information and Route Restrictions for Commercial Motor Vehicle Operators; Truck Parking Data Exchange Standards CRP Staff D03158 NCHRP Project Panel on Evaluating Large-Scale UAS Technologies and Current Implementation Practices for State DOT Infrastructure Operations CRP Staff D08201 NCHRP Project Panel on Low-Frequency High-Impact Travel for Data Analysis CRP Staff D17147 NCHRP Project Panel on Safety Performance of Safe System Treatments for Corridors and Intersections that May Impact Capacity CRP Staff D20145 NCHRP Project Panel on Public-Private Partnerships for Truck Parking Capacity Expansion and Development CRP Staff D2356 NCHRP Project Panel on Advancing AI Applications for Knowledge Discovery, Capture, and Delivery at State DOTs CRP Staff D2358 NCHRP Project Panel on Developing Data Literacy Competencies and Practices for State Transportation Workforce CRP Staff D2365 NCHRP Project Panel on Establishing a Unified Data Governance Framework for Reliable Project Prioritization in Transportation Agencies CRP Staff DRS058 Rail Safety Project Panel on AI-Enabled In-Motion Assessment of Continuous Welded Rail CRP Staff DRS059 Rail Safety Project Panel on Autonomous Robotic System for Detecting Rail Anchor Failures using Computer Vision CRP Staff DRS060 Rail Safety Project Panel on Preventing Turnout Failures through Advanced Analytics and Real-Time Monitoring CRP Staff DRS061 Rail Safety Project Panel on RailRisk Advisor: A Web-GIS Tool for Assessing Railroad Trespassing Risk and Recommending Countermeasures CRP Staff D2030261 NCHRP Project Panel on Development of An Innovative, Bio-Mediated, Self-Healing Concrete Technology CRP Staff D2030262 NCHRP Project Panel on Condition Assessment Technology for Bridge Decks with Waterproofing Membranes CRP Staff D2030263 NCHRP Project Panel on A Decision Support System for Operational Forecasting of New Snow Natural Avalanches CRP Staff D2030264 NCHRP Project Panel on Low-Cost, AI-Based System for Temporary Traffic Control Review CRP Staff D2030265 NCHRP Project Panel on Development of an AI-Powered IDEAL Fatigue Test with a Low-Cost Loading Frame CRP Staff D2030266 NCHRP Project Panel on Development of an IDEAL-Low Temperature Cracking (IDEAL-LT) Test for Balance Mix Design and Acceptance in Cold Regions CRP Staff D2030267 NCHRP Project Panel on A Novel Method to Optimize N-Design for Balanced Performance and Compactibility CRP Staff DRS062 Rail Safety Project Panel on Field Assessment of Portable Inspection for Rail Weld Geometry Based on Multi-Point Chord Reference (MCR) Measurement Technology CRP Staff DRS063 Rail Safety Project Panel on Next-Generation Third-Rail Safety: Modular Sensing and AI-Based Novelty Detection for Rapid Transit CRP Staff DRS064 Rail Safety Project Panel on Low-Cost Smartphone-Based 3D Reconstruction for Quantifying Ballast Degradation: a Multi-Scale Approach to Enhanced Rail Safety and Digital Twin Development CRP Staff	CRP Staff	Transportation Research Board	Senior Program Assistant	*****
Alexis Billingslea	E1008 Rail Safety Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (IDEA) Program Committee Member STSA65 TCRP Project Panel on Assessment of Transit Industry Understanding and Implementation of Safety Management System (SMS): Identifying Effective Strategies and Tools Member	Member	Illinois Department of Transportation	Rail Safety Accident Investigations Unit Chief	*****
Joseph Black	E1008 Rail Safety Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (IDEA) Program Committee Member	Member	WSP	Senior VP, Passenger Rail Technical Fellow	*****
Ruth Brown	E1008 Rail Safety Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (IDEA) Program Committee Member	Member	Norfolk Southern Corporation	Chief Engineer, Bridges and Structures	*****
Erika Bruhnke	E1008 Rail Safety Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (IDEA) Program Committee Member	Member	RailPros, Inc.	Chief Sales and Growth Officer	*****
Falyn Coleman-Wright	E1008 Rail Safety Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (IDEA) Program Committee Member	Member	API (Accommodations Plus International)	Vice President, Business Development	*****
Gavin Fraser	E1008 Rail Safety Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (IDEA) Program Committee Member	Member	Jacobs	Global Solutions Director	*****
Amjad Hussain	E1008 Rail Safety Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (IDEA) Program Committee Member	Member	HNTB Corporation	Project Director - HSR Engineering	*****
Margaret Koprek	E1008 Rail Safety Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (IDEA) Program Committee Member	Member	Secretariat Advisors	Associate Director	*****
Dingqing Li	E1008 Rail Safety Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (IDEA) Program Committee Member	Member	Association of American Railroads	AVP & Chief Scientist, Rail Infrastructure	*****
Philip Moore	E1008 Rail Safety Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (IDEA) Program Committee Member	Member	Huitt-Zollars, Inc.	Vice President, Rail and Transit	*****
Chad Scholes	E1008 Rail Safety Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (IDEA) Program Committee Member	Member	Metro-North Railroad	Chief Innovation and Logistics Officer	*****
Keith Sheardown	E1008 Rail Safety Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (IDEA) Program Committee Member	Member	Network Rail Consulting	Director, Infrastructure Maintenance	*****
David Wilcock	E1008 Rail Safety Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (IDEA) Program Committee Member TD25 TCRP Project Panel on Track Design Handbook for Light Rail Transit, 3rd Edition Chair TD28 TCRP Project Panel on Passenger Station Platform Design Considerations and Innovations for Aesthetics and Durability Member D20143 NCHRP Project Panel on Highway Grade Crossing Research on Road Support Systems to Separate the Foundation of Road from Ties and Ballast Member	Member	VHB	Senior Consultant - Transit & Rail	*****
David Willauer	E1008 Rail Safety Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (IDEA) Program Committee TRB Liaison Representative D17123 NCHRP Project Panel on Guide for Evaluating the Safety Performance of Shared Railway–Highway Interfaces TRB Liaison Representative AT000 Freight Systems Group Senior Program Officer AR000 Rail Group Senior Program Officer AR011 Standing Technical Committee on Regional Intercity Passenger Rail Transportation Senior Program Officer AR012 Standing Technical Committee on Rail Operations, Power and Safety Systems and Technology Senior Program Officer AR013 Standing Technical Committee on Freight Rail Transportation and Supply Chain Reliability Senior Program Officer AR014 Standing Technical Committee on Rail and Track Design and Maintenance Senior Program Officer AR016 Standing Technical Committee on Rail Safety Management Systems Senior Program Officer AT011 Standing Technical Committee on Freight Economics and Supply Chains Senior Program Officer AT012 Standing Technical Committee on Freight and Logistics Planning and Modeling Senior Program Officer AT013 Standing Technical Committee on Transport of Specialized Commodities Senior Program Officer	TRB Liaison Representative	Transportation Research Board	Senior Program Officer	*****
Stephen Popkin	E1008 Rail Safety Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (IDEA) Program Committee Liaison Representative AR016 Standing Technical Committee on Rail Safety Management Systems Member	Liaison Representative	OST-R/Volpe Center	Director for Research and Innovative Technology	*****
Tarek Omar	E1008 Rail Safety Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (IDEA) Program Committee FRA Liaison	FRA Liaison	Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)	Mechanical Engineer/Program Manager	*****
Bryan Sooter	E1008 Rail Safety Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (IDEA) Program Committee APTA Liaison TD25 TCRP Project Panel on Track Design Handbook for Light Rail Transit, 3rd Edition APTA Liaison TD26 TCRP Project Panel on A Rational Approach to Rail Structure Interaction (RSI) Analysis and Transit Bridge Design Criteria APTA Liaison Y0009 TCRP FY 2025 Screening Panel APTA Liaison TD27 TCRP Project Panel on Establishing Design Loads, Load Combinations, and Structural Design Methodology for OCS Poles and Foundations APTA Liaison TD28 TCRP Project Panel on Passenger Station Platform Design Considerations and Innovations for Aesthetics and Durability APTA Liaison Y0010 FY 2026 TCRP Screening Panel APTA Liaison	APTA Liaison	American Public Transportation Association	Director - Standards	*****