Railroad Track Design
When – Where
May 14-16, 2025
(8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time)
PDHs AVAILABLE
15 Professional Development Hours (PDHs) can be granted for this course.
ORNL Hardin Valley Campus 2nd floor meeting room
2360 Cherahala Blvd.
Knoxville, TN 37932
Tel: 865-946-1500 for directions
WHAT THIS IS ABOUT
Overview
This 2½ day class addresses the design of railroad track, including horizontal and vertical alignment, cross section, turnouts and crossings, component selection, earthwork, drainage, and clearances. The design approaches highlight applicable AREMA recommendations and general industry practices. The attendee will learn how traffic characteristics and operational requirements affect design. The coverage distinguishes between high-speed, conventional, rapid transit, and light-rail systems. The course includes examples that showcase and help the student understand typical design procedures.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Personnel who have responsibility for Construction, Track Design or Maintenance from shortline, regional, and Class I railroads; railroad contractors and consultants; state and local government officials associated with railroad operation, finance and regulation. This course does include engineering content and basic math skills are needed.
INSTRUCTOR
David B. Clarke, Ph.D., P.E.
Dr. Clarke, formerly Director of the University of Tennessee’s Center for Transportation, brings nearly 40 years of experience encompassing a variety of railroad design, inspection, research and education activities. He has taught railway related courses including this one, to college students and professionals since 1990. Dr. Clarke is well versed in the Federal Track Safety Standards covered in this course, and is frequently engaged as an expert to assess track conditions. As a licensed civil engineer, Dr. Clarke prepares specifications and designs for railroad track construction and maintenance. He is active in railroad related committees of AREMA, ASCE and TRB. Dr. Clarke is well versed in the Federal Track Safety Standards covered in this course, and is frequently engaged as an expert to assess track conditions. As a licensed civil engineer, Dr. Clarke prepares specifications and designs for railroad track construction and maintenance. He is a licensed civil engineer in South Carolina and Tennessee and is active in AREMA, ASCE and TRB.
AGENDA
(Workshop begins at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 5:00 p.m. each day. On the third day, the workshop ends at noon)
- Overview and introduction
- Design controls
- Track location
- Track engineering
- Track structure
- Loads
- Track behavior
- Stress analysis
- Rail
- Crossties/fasteners
- Ballast
- Subgrade
- Basic geometric design
- Cross Section
- Horizontal alignment
- Curves
- Spirals
- Superelevation
- Vertical alignment
- Grades
- Vertical curves
- Advanced geometric design
- Turnouts and track crossings
- Track junctions
- Yard and terminal layout
- Capacity and operational considerations
- Rail-highway grade crossings
- Railway structures
- Drainage
- Review and wrap-up
REGISTRATION
The registration fee for this workshop is $825 for all participants. This fee includes printed course materials, beverages, and snacks. Enrollment for this workshop is limited to 40 participants. Please register early to ensure your participation. Full payment of registration fees must be received at least two weeks prior to the workshop to guarantee your seat in the class.
Attendees are responsible for all meals and lodging. Registrants will be provided with information on available lodging in the workshop vicinity.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Due to schedule and travel commitments from our instructors, staff members, and training facilities, the registration fee is not refundable if a registrant withdraws less than 48 hours before the workshop. If you cannot attend, you may send a substitute participant to the workshop at no additional cost (please notify us in advance if possible). This workshop may be canceled due to low enrollment. If this situation occurs, TTAP will provide notification of cancellation due to low enrollment at least 48 hours before the scheduled start of the workshop, and all pre-paid registration fees will be refunded in full or applied to another scheduled workshop. If the workshop must be cancelled or postponed due to inclement weather or other circumstances beyond our control, TTAP will provide notification to all registered participants at the earliest possible time.