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𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿-𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸: 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮�

North American freight train length has increased over the past 20 years to take advantage of the economies of scale they offer. In addition to these economic benefits, it is important to understand the safety of longer-train operations. Previous theoretical work suggested that operation of fewer, longer trains might improve safety. However, due to the lack of detailed, fine-grained data on train operation by train length, past studies faced challenges developing suitable exposure data needed to investigate the possible relationship between train length and derailment rate.

Impact Prize Submission Deadline

Awarded in even-numbered years The Impact Prize is intended to recognize widespread impact in the practice of operations research. It may be awarded to an individual or a single set of collaborators. The award may be given for the original research (if these ideas have been widely adopted), and/or for special efforts required to bring the research to a practical form (e.g., implementation as a software package or the communication of a body of research through writings, teaching, and consulting). The important criterion is breadth of use in practice and relevance to operations research. The technical assessment of the quality of the work is considered secondary to the degree to which it has been widely adopted. This is not a research award. The awards committee is not judging the quality of a body of work. Instead, emphasis will be placed on evaluating the breadth of the impact of an idea or body of research. If the major contribution of the individual or group is bringing an idea to a practice community, the precise nature of this contribution needs to be understood (leading a software company; lectures and writings).