skip to main content
UTRGV The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Main Menu
Donate Now Directory myUTRGV

You are here:

Research Mechanical

University Transportation Center for Railway Safety (UTCRS) College of Engineering and Computer Science

  • Home
  • About
    • Message from Director
    • Mission
    • Brochure
    • Visitor Information
  • News and Media
    • Program News
    • Newsletters and Stories
    • Photo Galleries
      • Gallery 2025
      • Gallery 2024
      • Gallery 2023
      • Gallery 2022
      • Gallery 2019
      • Gallery 2018
      • Gallery 2017
      • Gallery 2016
      • Gallery 2015
      • Gallery 2014
    • Video Galleries
  • Education and Outreach
    • Summer Experiences - College and Professionals
      • REU
      • RET
    • Summer Camps (K-12)
      • UTCRS Summer Camps
      • TESEP
    • Educator Resources
      • Borrowing Materials
      • UTCRS Learning Module
      • Curricula
    • Community Outreach
  • Workforce Development
    • Research Assistantships
    • DDETFP Fellowship
    • Professional Student Training
    • JRC 2024 Poster Session
    • Professional Workshops
      • 2025 STEM Teacher National Workshop
      • 2024 STEM Teacher National Workshop
      • 2023 STEM Teacher National Workshop
      • 2022 STEM Teacher National Workshop
      • 2019 STEM Teacher National Workshop
      • 2018 STEM Teacher National Workshop
      • 2017 STEM Teacher National Workshop
      • 2016 STEM Teacher National Workshop
    • Internships
      • UTRGV High Scholars Summer Program
      • Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI)
  • Research
    • Mechanical
    • Operations
    • Infrastructure
    • Reports
    • Call for Proposals
  • Technology Transfer
    • Journal Articles
    • Conference Papers
    • Reports and Presentations
    • Theses and Dissertations
    • Webinars
    • Educational Scholarship
    • 2024 CUTC Summer Meeting
    • Products
      • UTCRS Database
      • Bearing Calculator
      • Bearing Lubricant Models
      • Conductive Pad
      • Single Bearing Tester
      • Four Bearing Tester
  • Key Personnel
    • Executive Officers
    • Executive Committee
    • Advisory Board
    • UTCRS Organizational Chart
University Transportation Center for Railway Safety (UTCRS)

Research - Related Links

  • Mechanical
  • Operations
  • Infrastructure
  • Reports
  • Call for Proposals

Contact Us

Center for Railway Safety (UTCRS)
Engineering Portable
EPOB4 1.100
Email: railwaysafety@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 665-8878
Fax: (956) 665-8879
Facebook Twitter Youtube LinkedIn

Quick Links

  • USDOT
  • OST-R
  • UTCs
  • CUTC
  • FRA
  • AAR
  • MxV Rail
  • NTSB
  • BRS
  • TAMU

Mechanical

UTCRS Mechanical Research Projects

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]
Jump to Top

UTRGV

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • CARES, CRRSAA and ARP Reporting
  • Site Policies
  • Contact UTRGV
  • Required Links
  • Fraud Reporting
  • Senate Bill 18 Reporting
  • UTRGV Careers
  • Clery Act Reports
  • Web Accessibility
  • Mental Health Resources
  • Sexual Misconduct Policy
  • Reporting Sexual Misconduct