The Office of Research and Development conducts research, development, test, and evaluation projects to support its safety mission and to enhance the railroad system as a national transportation resource. It contributes vital benefits to the safety regulatory processes, to railroad suppliers, to railroads involved in the transportation of freight, to inter-city and commuter passengers, to railroad employees, and to labor organizations.

The research and development work is carried out through grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts with public or private organizations, including institutions of higher learning through FRA's University Grants Program . This cooperative approach is particularly encouraged because it,

• Leverages outside resources, thus minimizing the FRA funding requirements,
  
• Reduces the need for demonstration or deployment funding since partners in the development effort may often also be the end product users, and
  
• Affords the FRA a better understanding of the safety needs of the railroad industry as new concepts and technologies are put into use in the railroad environment, and has assurance that a high level of concern for safety is included in their early consideration.