Short Line Safety Institute names new research director

The Short Line Safety Institute (SLSI) has hired Kim Davies-Schrils as director of research and organizational development. She will begin her new duties on April 7.

In the newly created role, Davies-Schrils will be responsible for designing, developing, overseeing and analyzing key programs, SLSI officials said in a press release.

Davies-Schrils has a Ph.D. in industrial/organizational psychology with a research specialization in safety culture, fatigue and worker well-being. Most recently, Davies-Schrils was an engineering psychologist in the human factors division at the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, where she led multiple research and evaluation projects aimed at improving safety in the railroad industry.

“Kim brings exactly the expertise the Short Line Safety Institute was seeking to assist our team in delivering a systemic analysis of the impact of our work on the industry," said SLSI Tom Murta. "We have the added benefit of having worked closely with Kim during the development of the Safety Culture Assessment program. We have first-hand knowledge of her capabilities in leading projects focused on human factors, aimed at improving safety culture in the transportation industry."

Davies-Schrils said her immediate priorities will be to conduct a systemic analysis of the impact of SLSI's safety assessment and other programs on railroads. New initiatives will be developed based on the results of that analysis.