Neeraj Koul, Chief Data Officer at the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), speaks with Ranyah Salous, Director of Digital Solutions, Data and AI at Guidehouse, in a video interview about the major challenges in enhancing FRA’s data capabilities, hurdles in accessing data and how to resolve that, and the potential of data and technology in transforming rail safety.

Koul discusses the major challenges in enhancing FRA’s data capabilities, noting that the organization comprises various offices, such as the Office of Safety, which focuses primarily on safety, and the legal department. From a data management perspective, this structure has often led to siloed data sets, he adds.

This means that the data is not integrated, making it difficult to gain holistic insights, says Koul. For example, the lack of integrated data creates obstacles when evaluating safety, whether through grant-making, ensuring railroad compliance, or conducting research.

Additionally, Koul notes that FRA has a significant grant-making and research portfolio, funding projects related to AI and other technologies to show the art of the possible. FRA has supported AI-related projects for several decades to advance the field before such technologies are fully operationalized.

One key challenge is the manual process required to combine these data sets, which is time-consuming and inefficient, especially given tight deadlines. This manual integration limits FRA’s ability to respond quickly and effectively, says Koul.

To address this, FRA has identified the need for collaboration among three key groups:

• Business owners

• System developers and IT professionals

• Data management experts

While business owners understand current needs, IT ensures security and technical functionality, and data management takes an enterprise-wide view to create linkages and integrate data sets.

An important goal is to advance FRA’s analytical maturity, enabling the use of advanced analytics with available data to derive deeper, more holistic insights from available data.

Another focus area, seen as an opportunity, is ensuring a baseline level of data literacy across the organization. Koul emphasizes the importance of data and the need for all practitioners to have a fundamental understanding of data and its applications. To support this, FRA has established a data community of practice, he adds.

Traditionally, such communities focus on data practitioners discussing techniques and visualization tools. However, FRA’s community also includes end-users like inspectors and grantees, providing a platform to identify challenges and find solutions.

Through this, FRA is working towards involving data experts early in the solution development process to better understand end-user needs—not just what they request or believe they need — thereby ensuring more effective outcomes.

Delving further, Koul states that FRA aims to ensure that the data is accessible to end users in an agile manner. Speaking from experience, he maintains that typically accessing data involves navigating several hurdles.

First, from a governance standpoint, it is necessary to confirm that there is a valid business need for data access, says Koul. Then, one must ensure compliance with IT and security requirements, with data owners involved in the process. While these steps are essential, they often pose challenges that hinder quick and flexible data access.

To address this, FRA has established the Data and Architecture Planning and Review Board (DAPARB). This board includes data management experts, security specialists, other relevant experts, and the Chief Data Officer.

End users with specific data needs can present their requests directly to this forum. Since all key stakeholders are present, decisions can be made quickly, allowing data to be provided to end users in an agile way.

Adding on, Koul shares about a key initiative that FRA has embraced, called “Set Data Free.” He reiterates that this addresses the data silos issue and enables data to be effectively leveraged within FRA to support mission objectives.

When asked about the potential of data and technology in transforming rail safety and efficiency and FRA’s role in it, Koul mentions that FRA has a regulatory role, ensuring railroad safety through inspections. However, what excites him about data and technology is exploring non-traditional methods.

Koul emphasizes that the current regulations set a baseline to ensure railroad safety, but that’s just one part of the equation. He adds that there is a need to explore innovative ways to leverage data to further improve safety.

One initiative Koul is particularly excited about is the Railroad Information Sharing Environment (RISE). He elaborates that RISE is a data trust designed to support collaboration among various stakeholders in the railroad sector. Its goal is to promote data sharing and generate systemic insights to advance safety.

This is done in a collaborative manner to reduce barriers to data sharing, which often exist due to concerns over proprietary information, says Koul. RISE ensures that shared data is used solely for enhancing safety.

Another key area of focus for FRA is safety around grade crossings and trespassing, which is particularly challenging because it involves multiple entities, including the federal government, FRA, and various sister agencies. Koul states that FRA is exploring innovative approaches by collaborating with technology companies to develop new solutions aimed at improving safety in these areas.

Concluding, he advocates the continuation of “Rail Share,” wherein railroad stakeholders get together and share insights in a manner that advances safety.

CDO Magazine appreciates Neeraj Koul for sharing his insights with our global community.

Data Is a Means to Achieve Mission Objectives — Federal Railroad Administration CDO