Retirement of Professor Chris Barkan
FRA Adminstrator Fink Tours RAIL Research Lab
RailTEC Graduates Working Around The World

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

In the news

RailTEC Announces Retirement of Professor Chris Barkan

After 28 rewarding years at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (Illinois) and 38 years working with the rail industry, Professor Christopher P.L. Barkan, George Krambles Director of the Rail Transportation and Engineering Center (RailTEC) and Director of the National University Rail Center of Excellence (NURail CoE), retired earlier this month and transitioned to a part-time... Read More

Summer Interns at RailTEC

Three undergraduates from two NURail CoE partners were interns this summer for the Rail Transportation and Engineering Center (RailTEC) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. RailTEC welcomed Brandi Thomas, a rising senior at Tuskegee University, Gary Bonds III, also a rising senior at Tuskegee University, and Matthew Cheruiyot, a rising junior from Morgan State University... Read More

INNOVARail Conference Recap

RailTEC was honored to be the host institution for the inaugural INNOVARail 2026 conference, a new multidisciplinary conference dedicated to rail research, technology, and development. It was held 26-28 May at the iHotel and Conference Center on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus. Over 200 attendees had the opportunity to hear 117 different topics presented... 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.