Ignition Magazine: News from TRB's IDEA Programs - Winter 2005

The latest issue of Ignition, a quarterly news magazine from TRB's Special Programs Division, examines a bridge beam system that combines the benefits of composite materials with the strengths of conventional components, tests to identify subsurface deterioration of bridge decks, mobile geophysical equipment that can acquire subsurface data, and efforts to identify lateral instability in rail car suspension systems and wheel sets.  The issue also highlights the innovative research activities being supported by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the Ohio Department of Transportation.

Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (IDEA) programs provide start-up funding for promising but unproven innovations in surface transportation systems. The programs’ goal is to foster ingenious solutions that are unlikely to be funded through traditional programs.  Managed by the Transportation Research Board, IDEA programs are supported by the member state departments of transportation of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, the Federal Transit Administration, the Federal Railroad Administration, and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.