Manhattan ? Kansas State is conducting research that could help high-speed rail systems better handle winter conditions.

The university is leading a three-year study that looks at the freeze-thaw durability of concrete railroad ties. The school says the work is essential in efforts to develop safe and durable high-speed rail systems.

Assistant civil engineering professor Kyle Riding is collaborating with researchers from the university’s Institute of Environmental Research, the United Arab Emirates and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

The commercial partners are the Canadian National Railroad and CXT Concrete Ties Inc.

The Federal Railroad Association recently awarded Riding more than $1.2 million to study the materials and fabrication process.