TRB 2024 RailTEC Faculty, Staff, Students, Alumni
Secretary Buttigieg with RailTEC Faculty and Staff
Tracks to the Future Summer Camp
RailTEC Graduates Working Around The World

Welcome to the University of Illinois Rail Transportation and Engineering Center (RailTEC)

In the news

Coming this summer – International Crosstie and Fastening System Symposium

Registration is now open and sponsorships are still available for the International Crosstie and Fastening System Symposium. This two-day event will be held on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus on 4-5 June 2024 and will be held in conjunction with the AREMA Committee 30 (Ties) spring meeting on 6 June 2024. General sponsorships are... Read More

Apply Now for 2024 High School Summer Program in Rail

Planning for the third iteration of the popular high school summer camp, Tracks to the Future, is well under way. Supported again this year by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) the camp has enough funding for 200 slots spread over ten different universities. Twenty full scholarships are available at each site and program registrations are... Read More

Summer 2024 Virtual Short Course on Railway Engineering

Continuing its online success, RailTEC’s virtual short courses will once again be offered this summer in two one-week sessions via Zoom. Each course will run virtually on Monday – Thursday from noon – 4:00pm (Central) and participants earn 14 professional development hours. Past attendees include rail professionals, engineers, planners, consultants and more from employees throughout... Read More

What we do

Education

RailTEC inspires and engages students by offering the most extensive curriculum in railway engineering and transportation in North America. We offer multiple courses on rail topics and are committed to placing our graduates in rewarding public and private sector positions.  RailTEC also supports continuing education of rail professionals through seminars, short courses and conferences.

Research

RailTEC is a global leader in practical and theoretical research advancing the field in a broad range of important and timely railroad and rail transit engineering and transportation topics. Advanced research investigations are underway in railway safety, systems, and infrastructure, addressing dozens of topics that are essential to maintaining the safety, efficiency, reliability, sustainability and resiliency of railroad freight and passenger transportation.

Service

RailTEC shares its expertise with industry, government, academia, and the public helping to interpret and apply knowledge and implement solutions to advance rail transport and engineering. Our faculty and staff are well engaged as leaders and members of AREMA, TRB, AAR, ASCE, INFORMS, and IAROR committees.