This committee is responsible for the development and publication of current information regarding railway location and route comparison studies, train performance, locomotive characteristics, railway operation, engineering records, depreciation estimation and accounting, information required in connection with property accounting, cost accounting methods, statistical records and forms for analyzing expenditures. It also develops current information regarding maintenance-of-way, manpower, programming of work, budgeting, construction and maintenance operations, and equated mileage parameters. In addition, it maintains information on taxation and depreciation as they impact engineering studies, and maintains an awareness of large magnitude railway projects in North America. It also manages the W. W. Hay Engineering Excellence Award.