University of Illinois Professor Presented With National Academic Award for Work on Rail

Release #12-06—April 24, 2012

Updated: Professor Barkan was recognized by Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood for his work academic work in the field of rail. 

Washington D.C.—The National Association of Railroad Passengers presented Professor Christopher Barkan with the Association’s Academic Award today, for a career dedicated to promoting the understanding of railroad engineering and advancing rail technology.

Dr. Barkan is the Director of the Railroad Engineering Program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; under his leadership, the school has expanded the rail curriculum from one course to six, making it the largest of any North American university.  In 2010, Barkan and his colleagues added a course on High-Speed Rail Engineering—a significant step in the development of an American high-speed rail industry.

“Dr. Barkan has created something special in Urbana-Champaign, and you can see that in the high level of demand for the program’s graduates,” said NARP President Ross Capon.  “The Railroad Engineering Program is the nation’s premier incubator for the next generation of men and women who will keep America’s rail network strong.  Dr. Barkan’s efforts to make clear the need to expand similar capabilities at other universities are helping the nation by enhancing the industry’s ability to meet its huge human resources challenges.”

NARP established its Academic Award in 2011, to recognize university and college professors who have excelled in developing and promoting knowledge of passenger train transportation in the United States and Canada.  This is the second time this award has been presented.

Barkan will be honored at a reception held on Capitol Hill this evening, which will be attended by Congressmen, U.S. Department of Transportation officials, railroad executives, and passenger rail advocates from across the country.

About the National Association of Railroad Passengers

NARP is the largest citizen-based organization advocating for train and rail transit passengers. We have worked since 1967 to expand the quality and quantity of passenger train service in the U.S. Our mission is to work towards a modern, customer-focused national passenger train network that provides a travel choice Americans want. Our work is supported by over 20,000 individual members.

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