Welcome to scenic East Tennessee and the 2013 Joint Rail Conference (JRC)! As Chair of the 2013 JRC, it is my distinct pleasure to welcome you to Knoxville. I hope that your stay in our lovely area will be a good one. This year's conference host is the Center for Transportation Research at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK). 2013 marks the 175th anniversary of the founding of the UTK College of Engineering. The JRC is the principal rail and transit research conference in North America. This year's conference theme is Next Generation Railroads, Next Generation Railroaders. The theme is intended to highlight several points. First, railway transportation is, worldwide, facing growth opportunities almost unprecedented in modern times. The inherent advantages of the rail mode are being recognized by both rail customers and public policy makers. To capitalize on this opportunity, railways will have to adapt to demands for higher speeds, heavier loads, more frequent service, reduced energy consumption, and high safety standards. These, among other goals, are the challenges for next generation railroads. A second concern is the need for a new generation of professional railroaders to design, operate, and maintain these systems. At least in North America, the railroad profession faces the imminent retirement of a large portion of its technical and managerial workforce, and academic institutions are only beginning to respond to the challenge of providing next generation railroaders.
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