Railway Design and Maintenance

• Describe the infrastructure elements of railways, the affiliated standards, and the relation to their traffic functionality
• Explain the horizontal and vertical elements of a railway. Describe why and where cant is used and determine its size
• Explain the elements in a cross section; explain why cross slope is applied to the sub ballast
• Design a track alignment for a speed upgrade using a CAD based railway design system
• Distinguish between the different supply systems and analyze advantages and drawbacks of the individual supply systems taking the constraints from the public grid into consideration.
• Design a comprehensive electrification system based on estimations of the load on the specific railway line including proposal for connection to the public power grid. The choice of system shall be part of an overall assessment and reflect an understanding of all design rules such as abnormal operation and maximum range of supply sections. Prepare an economical forecast for the chosen design.
• Prepare an overhead catenary system demonstrating an understanding of all design parameters. Special focus shall be given on turnouts and bridges with low clearance. The design shall be in compliance with the traction supply system.
• Explain how a railway is constructed with respect to the maintenance aspect of the infrastructure
• Know the methodology for budgeting and cost estimation of a railway project. Including describing the phases in a railway project with the correlating project reserve.
• Describe and explain why preventive maintenance impacts the life cycle of the railway. Assess and explain when maintenance is no longer cost-effective and when renewal should be started.
• Understand and explain the EU legislation used within the railway area and the use of assessment bodies for railway projects.

The need of efficient and climate friendly mobility places new demands on our existing transport infrastructure, which is a prerequisite for transporting people and goods from city to city and across country borders.
In this context, it is seen that the existing infrastructure must be able to handle more than what it was originally built for.

This course teaches the practical application of engineering principles in designing railways, and is taught by some of the leading experts within the railway sector. The course focuses on designing electrification for a railway line (a green sustainable energy) taking into consideration the design of both the horizontal and vertical alignment done in a CAD based program, as well connecting to the traction power supply from the public power grid; taking into account the maintenance of the railway design.

In connection with the course, an excursion to various companies and infrastructure managers is arranged, so that theory becomes reality.

The course is taught in English.

12415/62622, 62622 Railway Technology and Operations

Lectures, self-tuition, written exercises and project work in groups of 2 or 3.

CAD-program used in the course is from the Bentley supplier, OpenRail Designer.