Opportunity Information: Apply for FR RRD 16 002
Apply for FR RRD 16 002
- The DOT-FRA in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY16 Supplemental to Air-Coupled Rail Inspection Prototype Using Passive Approach" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.313.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 04, 2016 and posted on Mar 04, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 18, 2016. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $286,545.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
This grant opportunity, titled "FY16 Supplemental to Air-Coupled Rail Inspection Prototype Using Passive Approach" (Funding Opportunity Number: FR RRD 16 002), was released by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration (DOT-FRA) under CFDA 20.313 as a discretionary research and development grant in the science and technology category. Posted on March 4, 2016, with a closing date of March 18, 2016, it offered an award ceiling of $286,545. The eligibility field indicates "Others," with the expectation that applicants would need to consult the additional eligibility details referenced in the full notice.
The core purpose of the supplemental funding was to extend or modify an existing non-contact rail flaw detection prototype that uses air-coupled sensing, shifting it toward a passive inspection method. Instead of relying on active excitation (where the system injects energy into the rail to generate measurable responses), the project aimed to explore whether naturally occurring acoustic vibrations in the rail could be harvested for inspection. These vibrations are produced by normal wheel-rail contact during train operation, and the FRA wanted research that could determine the feasibility of using that real-world, in-service excitation to detect internal rail defects without physically contacting the rail and without adding an artificial energy source.
A key technical emphasis was performing passive, non-contact flaw detection at sustained speeds, meaning the approach should work while the inspection platform is moving at operationally relevant velocities rather than only in slow, controlled conditions. The intent is practical deployment: a system that can keep up with routine rail traffic or inspection runs while still producing reliable defect indications. Because the excitation source is the wheel-rail interaction itself, the opportunity also highlights that these natural excitations tend to be low-frequency, which could be beneficial. Low-frequency energy can penetrate and interact with larger volumes of material, and the notice suggests this may allow inspection coverage to expand from the "top half" of the rail head (a typical focus region for some inspection methods) to potentially the entire rail head cross-section, improving the chance of catching defect growth in areas not well covered by earlier configurations.
Despite the shift to passive sensing, the grant kept the inspection targets centered on the most operationally critical rail head defects: Transverse Fissures, Detail Fractures, and Vertical Split Head defects. These are well-known defect types associated with fatigue and progressive cracking in the rail head and are among the most safety-relevant because they can lead to sudden failures if undetected. The opportunity therefore was not simply exploratory acoustics research in the abstract; it was anchored to maintaining performance against these specific defect classes while changing the underlying sensing approach and potentially broadening the inspected volume.
In short, the FRA’s FY16 supplemental grant sought applied R&D to validate and test a passive, air-coupled, non-contact rail inspection concept that leverages the rail’s own wheel-induced vibrations, with the dual goals of enabling reliable high-speed inspection and improving coverage of the rail head while continuing to prioritize detection of major rail head defect types.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "FY16 Supplemental to Air-Coupled Rail Inspection Prototype Using Passive Approach."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number listed is FR RRD 16 002.
Which agency is offering this grant?
This opportunity was released by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration (DOT-FRA).
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA 20.313.
What type of funding opportunity is this?
It is described as a discretionary research and development grant in the science and technology category.
When was the opportunity posted?
The posting date provided is March 4, 2016.
What is the application closing date?
The closing date stated in the opportunity information is March 18, 2016.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling listed is $286,545.
Who is eligible to apply?
The eligibility field is shown as "Others." The information provided indicates applicants were expected to consult additional eligibility details referenced in the full notice.
Is this funding a new standalone project or a supplement to an existing effort?
This is described as supplemental funding intended to extend or modify an existing non-contact rail flaw detection prototype that uses air-coupled sensing.
What is the main goal of the supplemental funding?
The core purpose is to shift an existing air-coupled, non-contact rail inspection prototype toward a passive inspection method and to determine whether naturally occurring rail vibrations can be used for defect detection.
What does "air-coupled" mean in the context of this opportunity?
Based on the description provided, "air-coupled" refers to a non-contact sensing approach (i.e., inspection without physically contacting the rail) that relies on sensing through the air rather than direct contact.
What does "passive approach" mean here?
A passive approach, as described, means the system does not rely on active excitation (injecting energy into the rail). Instead, it aims to use naturally occurring acoustic vibrations in the rail as the input signal for inspection.
How are the natural vibrations generated for passive inspection?
The opportunity specifies that the vibrations of interest are produced by normal wheel-rail contact during train operation.
What is "active excitation," and how is this opportunity different?
Active excitation is described as a method where the inspection system injects energy into the rail to generate measurable responses. This opportunity focuses on exploring feasibility using in-service, wheel-rail interaction as the excitation source instead of adding an artificial energy source.
What kinds of research outcomes is FRA looking for?
The opportunity emphasizes applied R&D to validate and test a passive, air-coupled, non-contact rail inspection concept and to determine feasibility of detecting internal rail defects using wheel-induced vibrations.
Does the opportunity focus on inspection at realistic operating speeds?
Yes. A key technical emphasis is passive, non-contact flaw detection at sustained speeds, meaning the approach should work at operationally relevant velocities rather than only under slow, controlled conditions.
Why is sustained-speed (high-speed) capability important in this opportunity?
The description links sustained-speed capability to practical deployment, aiming for a system that can keep up with routine rail traffic or inspection runs while still providing reliable defect indications.
What is the expected benefit of using naturally occurring (wheel-induced) excitation?
The opportunity highlights that using wheel-rail interaction removes the need for an artificial energy source and leverages real-world, in-service excitation while maintaining a non-contact approach.
What is the significance of the excitations being low-frequency?
The notice suggests the natural excitations tend to be low-frequency, which may be beneficial because low-frequency energy can penetrate and interact with larger volumes of material.
How could low-frequency energy change inspection coverage of the rail head?
The description suggests low-frequency excitation may allow inspection coverage to expand from the "top half" of the rail head (a typical focus region for some methods) to potentially the entire rail head cross-section.
Does the opportunity specifically aim to broaden the inspected volume of the rail head?
Yes. It indicates a potential improvement in coverage from partial rail head inspection to potentially the entire rail head cross-section.
Which specific rail defects are prioritized as inspection targets?
The inspection targets remain centered on Transverse Fissures, Detail Fractures, and Vertical Split Head defects.
Why are Transverse Fissures, Detail Fractures, and Vertical Split Head defects emphasized?
The description states these are among the most operationally critical and safety-relevant rail head defects because they are associated with fatigue and progressive cracking and can lead to sudden failures if undetected.
Is this opportunity purely basic research in acoustics?
No. The description indicates it is not simply exploratory acoustics research; it is anchored to maintaining performance against specific defect classes while changing the sensing approach and potentially broadening inspected volume.
What is meant by "non-contact flaw detection" in this opportunity?
It refers to detecting internal rail defects without physically contacting the rail, consistent with the air-coupled sensing concept described.
Does the project require adding an artificial energy source to excite the rail?
No. The goal described is to avoid active excitation and instead rely on naturally occurring vibrations from wheel-rail contact.
What kind of prototype is being extended or modified?
The opportunity describes an existing non-contact rail flaw detection prototype that uses air-coupled sensing, which would be extended or modified to use a passive approach.
What is the overall summary of what FRA sought to fund?
The opportunity sought applied R&D to validate and test a passive, air-coupled, non-contact rail inspection concept that leverages wheel-induced rail vibrations, with goals of reliable sustained-speed inspection and improved rail head coverage while prioritizing detection of major rail head defect types.
Browse more opportunities from the same agency: DOT-FRA
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Next opportunity: Assistance to Communities Displaced by Benguela Province Floods
Previous opportunity: Central America Regional Security Initiative
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for FR RRD 16 002
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (FR RRD 16 002) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Research and Development for Next Generation Nuclear Physics Accelerator Facilities Apply for DE FOA 0001556 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001556 Agency: PAMS-SC Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $1,870,000 |
| Conferences and Workshops in the Mathematical Sciences Apply for 16 550 Funding Number: 16 550 Agency: NSF Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Plant-Biotic Interactions Apply for 16 551 Funding Number: 16 551 Agency: NSF Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Refinement of Complex Sound Technologies to Deter Apply for USFS 16 FA 0070 Funding Number: USFS 16 FA 0070 Agency: DOI-USGS1 Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERCs) Program on Wireless Technologies Apply for HHS 2016 ACL NIDILRR RE 0154 Funding Number: HHS 2016 ACL NIDILRR RE 0154 Agency: HHS-ACL Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $925,000 |
| DEFENSE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH INSTRUMENTATION PROGRAM (DURIP) Apply for PA AFRL AFOSR 2016 0001 Funding Number: PA AFRL AFOSR 2016 0001 Agency: DOD-AFOSR Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| CENTER OF EXCELLENCE: Multi-Fidelity Modeling of Combustion Instabilities Apply for BAA AFRL AFOSR 2016 0005 Funding Number: BAA AFRL AFOSR 2016 0005 Agency: DOD-AFOSR Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $4,200,000 |
| Notice of Intent to Award - Creel Survey for St. Clair-Detroit Rivers Apply for USGS FA 16 0067 Funding Number: USGS FA 16 0067 Agency: DOI-USGS1 Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $30,000 |
| ROSES 2016: Carbon Cycle Science Apply for NNH16ZDA001N CARBON Funding Number: NNH16ZDA001N CARBON Agency: NASA-HQ Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate Apply for 16 552 Funding Number: 16 552 Agency: NSF Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| ROSES 2016: Laboratory Analysis of Returned Samples Apply for NNH16ZDA001N LARS Funding Number: NNH16ZDA001N LARS Agency: NASA-HQ Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, South Florida/Caribbean CESU Apply for G16AS00040 Funding Number: G16AS00040 Agency: DOI-USGS1 Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $480,000 |
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Great Lakes Northern Forests CESU Apply for G16AS00041 Funding Number: G16AS00041 Agency: DOI-USGS1 Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $190,339 |
| Cybermanufacturing Systems Apply for PD 16 018Y Funding Number: PD 16 018Y Agency: NSF Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| Cyber-Physical Systems Apply for 16 549 Funding Number: 16 549 Agency: NSF Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $7,000,000 |
| DoD Ovarian Cancer Academy - Early-Career Investigator Award Apply for W81XWH 16 OCRP OCA Funding Number: W81XWH 16 OCRP OCA Agency: DOD-AMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Great Basin CESU Apply for G16AS00045 Funding Number: G16AS00045 Agency: DOI-USGS1 Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $35,000 |
| DoD Ovarian Cancer Pilot Award Apply for W81XWH 16 OCRP PA Funding Number: W81XWH 16 OCRP PA Agency: DOD-AMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Pacific Northwest CESU Apply for G16AS00046 Funding Number: G16AS00046 Agency: DOI-USGS1 Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $701,000 |
| Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Great Lakes Northern Forests (CESU) Apply for G16AS00044 Funding Number: G16AS00044 Agency: DOI-USGS1 Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $60,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "FR RRD 16 002", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.