By Tina Meketa, University Communications and Marketing
USF Provost Prasant Mohapatra
With railroad employment steadily declining nationwide, USF researchers are working to stabilize the industry 鈥� funded by a $17 million grant from the Federal Railroad Administration, the agency鈥檚 first grant ever to be awarded to USF.
To mark this significant milestone, Amit Bose, administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration, joined USF leaders and representatives from congressional offices for a ceremonial signing of the agreement.
鈥淚n the last few years, we have certainly learned the importance of a reliable supply chain for businesses and our economy to remain strong and for consumers to access the products we need,鈥� USF Provost Prasant Mohapatra said. 鈥淭his initiative will help the rail industry retain its quality workforce and attract new talent through comprehensive training programs, internships and career development opportunities. It will also raise awareness of the range of positions available in the rail industry, many of which people may not associate with railroading.鈥�
Amit Bose, administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration, Sanjukta Bhanja, interim dean of the USF College of Engineering and Fred Mannering, executive director of the USF Center for Urban Transportation Research
Lisa Staes, associate director of the USF Center for Urban Transportation Research
鈥淎s educators, we are keenly aware of the workforce challenges across the transportation industry and we are committed to promoting industry careers, developing and advancing the skillsets of current transportation workers and reaching and developing tomorrow鈥檚 industry professionals,鈥� said project manager Lisa Staes, associate director of the USF Center for Urban Transportation Research.
In conjunction with its consortium partners in the Center for Surface Transportation Testing and Academic Research (C-STTAR), the USF Center for Urban Transportation Research will lead 13 projects that address the industry鈥檚 workforce shortages attributed to aging staff and critical skill gaps. The program includes outreach efforts to introduce K-12 students to careers in railroading and provides college students nationwide with internship opportunities. It also encompasses training for existing railroad employees, such as in emerging technologies and management 鈥� skills intended to encourage employee retention and upward mobility.
According to the , the railroad workforce has shrunk 28% over the last decade, dropping from 167,000 to 121,000 employees.
Amit Bose, administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration
鈥淎ll of us depend on rail systems in our daily lives, whether we take the train to work or benefit from goods moved on the freight rail network,鈥� Bose said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 imperative that we support, develop and retain the hardworking men and women who make this possible. I am particularly excited about the USF鈥檚 innovative and comprehensive approach for meeting these objectives.鈥�
USF has collaborated with other C-STTAR members on a number of projects. The consortium was created to support the regulatory missions and strategic initiatives of the Federal Railroad Administration, the U.S. Department of Transportation and other federal partners. Partners on this project include ENSCO, Colorado State University-Pueblo, Mineta Transportation Institute at San Jose State University, Oregon State University, University of Hawaii, Michigan Technological University and University of Nebraska-Lincoln.