FRONT ROYAL, Va. — The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS) has been selected to receive up to $11.16 million in federal funding through the Fiscal Year 2025–2026 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program, marking another significant milestone in the union's ongoing efforts to improve railroad safety, advance emerging technologies and prepare the next generation of skilled railroad workers.
Administered by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), the funding will support the second phase of the NexGenPOST2 project, formally titled NexGenPOST2 Phase II: Verified Onboard Bearing and Wheel Condition Monitoring with Cybersecurity and Workforce Development. Building on previous research and testing, the initiative will focus on verifying advanced onboard detection systems designed to identify potential bearing and wheel problems before they develop into serious safety hazards.
For the BRS, receiving a second CRISI grant represents more than an investment in new technology. It reinforces the critical role railroad workers play in making sure technological advancements translate into real-world safety improvements.
“This investment represents another important step forward in advancing rail safety through technology, research and workforce development,” said BRS President Michael S. Baldwin. “The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen remains committed to ensuring that emerging technologies are properly tested and verified, and that the employees responsible for maintaining and supporting these systems receive the training necessary to perform their work safely and effectively.”
A major focus of the project is the continued development and testing of onboard monitoring technology capable of detecting potential bearing and wheel failures. By identifying developing mechanical problems earlier, these systems have the potential to provide railroad employees with better information, improve maintenance decisions and help prevent derailments.
The project also continues BRS's research partnership with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), bringing together rail labor and academic expertise to evaluate new technologies and their practical applications in railroad operations.
“This second phase represents an important step toward bringing advanced monitoring technology into everyday railroad operations,” said Jeremy Farr, BRS Director of Research. “Our partnership with UTRGV has been instrumental in advancing the research and testing needed to identify potential bearing and wheel failures before they lead to derailments. By combining that research with cybersecurity protections and hands-on workforce training, we aim to provide Signalmen with reliable tools to improve safety across the nation’s rail network.”
Research, testing, and equipment validation will take place at multiple locations across the country, including Front Royal, Virginia; Edinburg and Austin, Texas; St. Louis, Missouri; and Pueblo, Colorado.
In addition to evaluating the performance and reliability of advanced monitoring systems, the project will place a strong emphasis on workforce development. As railroad technology continues to evolve, BRS recognizes the importance of ensuring that the skilled employees responsible for installing, inspecting, testing and maintaining safety-critical systems have the knowledge and training needed to keep pace.
Cybersecurity will also be an important component of the initiative. With modern railroad operations increasingly dependent on interconnected technologies, protecting monitoring systems and the information they provide is essential to maintaining a safe and reliable rail network.
The project highlights the value of bringing together rail labor, universities, technology partners and testing facilities to address some of the industry's most pressing safety challenges. It also demonstrates how federal investment in research and workforce training can help turn promising technologies into practical tools for railroad employees.
For the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, this second CRISI award builds on a longstanding commitment to railroad safety and the belief that technological progress and a highly trained workforce must go hand in hand.
As the railroad industry continues to modernize, BRS remains focused on ensuring that new technologies are thoroughly evaluated, railroad employees are prepared to work with them, and safety remains the driving force behind innovation.
About the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen
The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS) represents the skilled railroad signal employees responsible for installing, inspecting, testing, maintaining and repairing the signal systems and related technologies that are essential to safe railroad operations. Through collective representation, legislative advocacy, education, research and industry partnerships, BRS works to protect its members, strengthen railroad safety and ensure that the expertise of railroad signal employees remains central to the future of the nation's rail industry.
