Railroad Engineering Education & Outreach

US Transportation Collection2020PDFTech ReportSchlake, Bryan WShen, ShihuiHuang, HaiDillen, Stephen LPennsylvania State UniversityCenter for Integrated Asset Management for Multimodal Transportation Infrastructure Systems (CIAMTIS)Pennsylvania State University. Thomas D. Larson Transportation InstituteUnited States. Department of Transportation. University Transportation Centers (UTC) ProgramUnited States. Department of Transportation. Research and Innovative Technology AdministrationCenter for Integrated Asset Management for Multimodal Transportation Infrastructure Systems (CIAMTIS)United StatesEducation and trainingElementary school studentsHigh school studentsOutreachRailroad engineeringTransportation careersScienceK-12STEMCIAM-COR-R19, LTI 2021-0269A3551847103Final ReportDue to high levels of attrition, the railroad industry is in need of trained engineering students who are qualified to fill professional and management roles for railroad, consulting, and supply companies. Penn State Altoona offers the nation\u2019s only four-year Bachelor of Science degree in Rail Transportation Engineering. While this program is growing and is attracting students from across the United States and from other countries, enrollments are still low. Other universities offer railroad engineering education in the form of minor offerings, graduate programs, rail transportation coursework, and railroad engineering student clubs. Penn State is working with these universities to promote both regional and national K-12 outreach activities.125