SUPPLIER R&D: IN LEAN TIMES, A STRONG COMMITMENT

The railway market has definitely softened in 1997, after two years of high levels of capital investment. That has not caused railway suppliers, in almost every area of technology, to back away from their own high levels of investment in research, development, testing, and the introduction of products that are more reliable and less costly to maintain. The article identifies 3 reasons for this continued strong commitment: 1) the railroads' need for the products of supplier R&D has not diminished; 2) the railroads are continuing to pitch in with help for testing and evaluation, if not with up-front money for the actual R&D effort; and, 3) suppliers are well aware that when railroads resume the investment programs they will need to improve their competitive position and their profitability, the successful suppliers will be those who are ready with what the market revival will be demanding. The article examines the development of the products railroads will need to achieve their goal of seamless service.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/1586268
• Corporate Authors:

  Simmons-Boardman Publishing Corporation

  345 Hudson Street
  New York, NY  United States  10014
• Authors:
  • Welty, G
• Publication Date: 1997-6

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 35-53
• Serial:
  • Railway Age
  • Volume: 198
  • Issue Number: 6
  • Publisher: Simmons-Boardman Publishing Corporation
  • ISSN: 0033-8826
  • Serial URL: http://www.railwayage.com

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Brakes; Product development; Suppliers; Suspension systems; Technological innovations; Technology assessment; Vehicle design
• Old TRIS Terms: Brake system design
• Subject Areas: Design; Operations and Traffic Management; Public Transportation; Railroads; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00739897
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 13 1997 12:00AM