Upcoming Events
Global Level Crossing Symposium
Click HERE to register.
Please attend the 2014 Global level Crossing Safety & Trespass Prevention Symposium (GLXS) on 3 – 8 August 2014 on the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign campus. GLXS is a biennial event that brings together engineering, safety and security professionals from highway, rail, law enforcement and regulatory authorities around the world. The symposium provides an opportunity to exchange information and share best practices to improve the safety of the at-grade interface between highway and rail systems.
NURail Annual Meeting
The 2014 NURail Annual Meeting will be held August 18 – 19 in Altoona, PA sponsored by Penn State University, a NURail Affiliate member. This will be a joint meeting with TRB Summerail. For more information, please go to the meeting website: http://www.altoona.psu.edu/railconference/
Railroad Environmental Conference
The dates of the 16th Annual RREC conference are 28 – 29 October 2014. Registration will open on August 15.
In the News
Rail Safety with Little Obie
July 2014: Educating the public about railway safety will be the aim of CN Railroad (CN) when they bring a miniature train, known as Little Obie, to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign campus next month. The locomotive’s appearance is part of the 2014 Global Level Crossing Safety and Trespass Prevention Symposium being held at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign on August 4-5, 2014. Click here to read full the press release.
Thailand HSR course completed
June 2014: RailTEC faculty, TC Kao, hosted an intensive course on high speed rail (HSR) systems in Bangkok, Thailand from June 16-21. The objective of the course was to inform the students of the different technologies used for high speed rail passenger transportation systems. The course included lectures and presentations about the core systems such as trains, power system and signaling as well as the civil work that surrounds high speed railway systems.
REES: A step towards higher learning
June 2014: Professors from around the country attended the Railway Engineering Education Symposium (REES) on June 23 – 25, 2014 in Overland Park, Kansas. The objective of the symposium was to further inform the professors of the workforce crisis and give them materials to educate students about railway infrastructure, performance, engineering, and design at their respective universities. It also included trips to BNSF Railway’s Freight Yard and the Kansas City Intermodal Facility. Click here to see additional pictures from REES.
U.S. House Committee Testimony
June 2014: Professor Christopher P.L. Barkan, Executive Director of RailTEC and Director, National University Rail (NURail) Center, testified on June 18, 2014 in front of the U.S. House Committee on Science Space and Technology’s Subcommittee on Research and Technology. He and several other witnesses testified to the Subcommittee about the “Future of Surface Transportation”. As part of his testimony Dr. Barkan made several references to the ongoing activities of the NURail UTC. Click here to read his testimony or view an archive of the webcast.
Crosstie Symposium a Success
June 2014: Over 130 attended the International Crosstie and Fastening System Symposium on June 3 – 5, 2014 at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The objective of the symposium was to further international communication and collaboration on design and performance challenges and solutions for crossties and fastening systems. The symposium included technical and poster presentation topics, research discussion topics and technical tours. Click here to see the presentations.
About Us
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Who we are:University Of Illinois Rail Transportation and Engineering Center
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For over a century the University of Illinois has been a leader in railway engineering research and education. Beginning with Talbot's fundamental work on railroad track design, and Schmidt & Tuthill's work on train energy and power requirements, through Hay's textbook on railroad engineering, The U of I has a distinguished record of accomplishment and remains highly respected by today's railroad engineering community.
What we do:
EducationInspire and sustain students and faculty interest in rail engineering and transport. Teach courses and offer a curriculum in rail engineering and transportation. Place Graduates in rewarding positions in rail engineering, transportation planning, and operations. Understand the critical educational issues in rail transportation, and develop practical, effective solutions.
ResearchUnderstand the critical research issues in rail transportation, and develop practical, effective solutions. Conduct practical and theoretical research in critically important current topics in rail engineering and transportation. Communicate the results of this research to the rail transportation community.
ServiceProvide knowledge and expertise to university, industry, government, and public on rail transportation and engineering topics.
