Mechanical
IIJA Funding Cycle
2025CY Research Projects
The following research projects for the 2025 calendar year have been approved internally by the UTCRS Executive Team and the External Advisory Board and are pending USDOT UTC Program Manager final approval:
- Comparison of Onboard Condition Monitoring System Mounting Location for Freight Railcar Bearing Defect Detection Using Vibration Signatures [Exhibit D - M1CY25]
- Effect of Long-Term Inactivity on Railcar Bearing Lubricant and Seal Function [Exhibit D - M2CY25]
- Laboratory and Field Testing of an Impact-Driven Multi-Resonant Energy Harvester for Electrical Power Generation in Rail-Track Systems – Phase II, Year 2 [Exhibit D - M3CY25]
- Non-Contact Energy Harvesting for Rural Grade Crossings – Year 3 [Exhibit D - M4CY25]
- Ultrasonic Inspection of Reconditioned Railroad Bearing Components – Year 3 [Exhibit D - M5CY25]
2024CY Research Projects
The following research projects have been approved for the 2024 calendar year:
- Development of a Multi-Resonant Impact-Driven Energy Harvester (MRI-DEH) for
Electrification of Rural Rail Crossings [Exhibit D - M1CY24] - Effect of Long-Term Inactivity on Railcar Bearing Lubricant Performance [Exhibit D - M2CY24]
- FAST® Loop Comparison of Onboard Condition Monitoring Versus Wayside Detection
Systems [Exhibit D - M3CY24] - Lateral Load Effect on Railway Tapered Roller Bearing Performance [Exhibit D - M4CY24]
- Non-Contact Energy Harvesting for Rural Grade Crossings – Year 2 [Exhibit D - M5CY24]
- Ultrasonic Inspection of Reconditioned Railroad Bearing Components – Year 2 [Exhibit D - M6CY24]
2023CY Research Projects
The following research projects have been approved for the 2023 calendar year:
- Non-Contact Energy Harvesting for Rural Grade Crossings [Exhibit D - M1CY23]
- Ultrasonic Inspection of Reconditioned Railroad Bearings [Exhibit D - M2CY23] [Final Report - M2CY23]
- AI-Enabled Intelligent Vibration Sensor for Active Highway-Rail Grade Crossings [Exhibit D - M3CY23] [Final Report - M3CY23]
- Effect of Long-Term Inactivity on Railcar Bearings [Exhibit D - M4CY23] [Final Report - M4CY23]
- Next Generation On-Board Sensor Technologies for Rolling Stock [Exhibit D - M5CY23] [Final Report - M5CY23]
MAP-21 Funding Cycle
2017CY Research Projects
The following research projects have been approved for the 2017 calendar year:
- Prototyping and Testing of Electrically Conductive Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) Railroad Suspension Pad [Exhibit D - M1CY17]
- Low Power Wireless Sensors for Railroad Bearing Health Monitoring [Exhibit D - M2CY17]
2015CY Research Projects
The following research projects have been approved for the 2015 calendar year:
- The Effect of Heat Generation in the Railroad Bearing Thermoplastic Elastomer Suspension Element on the Thermal Behavior of Railroad Bearing Assembly [Exhibit D - M1CY15]
- Development of Predictive Models for Spall Growth in Railroad Bearing Rolling Elements [Exhibit D - M2CY15]
- Radiative Heat Transfer Analysis of Railroad Bearings Using a Single Bearing Test Rig for Wayside Thermal Detector Optimization [Exhibit D - M3CY15]
- Demonstration of Magnetostrictive Materials for Self-Powered Monitoring of Rail Vehicle Suspension Components [Exhibit D - M4CY15]
2014CY Research Projects
The following research projects have been approved for the 2014 calendar year:
- Structural Integrity of Railroad Bearing Adapters with Modifications for Onboard Monitoring Applications [Exhibit D - M1CY14]
- Effects of Vapor Grown Carbon Nanofibers on Electrical and Mechanical Properties of a Thermoplastic Elastomer [Exhibit D - M2CY14]
- Modeling the Residual Useful Life of Bearing Grease [Exhibit D - M3CY14]
- Applications of Magnetostrictive Materials for Real-Time Monitoring of Vehicle Suspension Components [Exhibit D - M4CY14]
- Single Bearing Test Rig with Vertical, Lateral, and Impact Load Capabilities [Exhibit D - M5CY14]