Affordable Technology
Practical, lower-cost tools for short-line railroad safety, inspection, monitoring, and operations.
University Transportation Center
Rail Center for Research Enhancing Short-line Transportation
Rail CREST develops affordable technologies to improve the safety, efficiency, reliability, and sustainability of short-line and regional railroads.
About The Center
Research built for short-line and regional railroads
Rail CREST was established through a $6.87 million 2024 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant from the Federal Railroad Administration.
Led by Penn State Altoona faculty, the national research team develops and deploys affordable technologies to improve the safety, efficiency, reliability, and sustainability of short-line and regional railroads. These railroads provide essential first mile, last mile service while often facing aging infrastructure, limited safety and maintenance resources, and growing sustainability needs.
6Consortium universities
4Core research committees
1Short-line rail mission
Center Focus
Affordable technology, transfer, and workforce development.
Technology Transfer
Field-ready methods, demonstrations, guidance, and partnerships that move research into practice.
Workforce Development
Student training, professional education, and rail workforce pathways for the next generation.
News & Announcements
Center activity and opportunities.
Spring 2026
New research projects underway
Rail CREST teams are advancing safety, inspection, and sustainability work with university and industry partners.
Students
Graduate student opportunities
The center supports student research, workforce development, and rail-focused technical training.
Partners
Industry collaboration
Railroad, agency, and supplier partnerships help move research from the lab into the field.
Upcoming Conferences
Rail industry meetings relevant to center partners.
Sep. 13-16, 2026
AREMA 2026 Annual Conference & Expo
Kansas City, Missouri
Mar. 14-16, 2027
ASLRRA Annual Conference & Exhibition
New Orleans, Louisiana
Consortium Universities
Academic partners across the country.
