- ES Español (Latinoamérica)
- EN English
3.6. Railway Engineering (RWE)
This knowledge area encompasses the alignment, track structure, signaling, electrification, rolling stock fundamentals, capacity, and station design of railway systems.
| Knowledge Area (KA) | Core Tier1 | Core Tier2 |
 3.6.1 Railway Alignment Design | Elective | |
|
3.6.2 Track Structure Design | Elective | |
|
3.6.3 Railway Signaling and Train Control | Elective | |
|
3.6.4 Railway Electrification | Elective | |
|
3.6.5 Rolling Stock Fundamentals | Elective | |
|
3.6.6 Railway Capacity and Operations | Elective | |
|
3.6.7 Railway Station and Terminal Design | Elective | |
3.6.1. RWE/Railway Alignment Design ↑ Back to top
Horizontal and vertical alignment design for railway track, superelevation and transition curves, track gauge and kinematic envelope, and alignment design criteria by service type.
Topics:
Core
- Horizontal alignment and curve design for railway track
- Vertical alignment and grade design for railway track
- Superelevation (cant) and transition curve design
- Track gauge and kinematic envelope (clearance) standards
- Alignment design criteria by service type (freight, passenger, high-speed)
Learning Outcomes:
Core:
- Design horizontal alignment and curves for a railway track [Usage]
- Determine vertical alignment and grades for a railway track [Usage]
- Compute superelevation and transition curve lengths for a design speed [Assessment]
- Describe track gauge standards and kinematic envelope requirements [Familiarity]
- Select alignment design criteria appropriate to the service type [Usage]
3.6.2. RWE/Track Structure Design ↑ Back to top
Track superstructure components, railway subgrade and trackbed design, rail jointing and continuous welded rail, and track drainage.
Topics:
Core
- Track superstructure components: rail, sleepers, and ballast
- Railway subgrade and trackbed design
- Rail jointing methods and continuous welded rail
- Track drainage design
Learning Outcomes:
Core:
- Identify track superstructure components and describe their functions [Familiarity]
- Design the railway subgrade and trackbed for expected loading [Usage]
- Explain rail jointing methods and continuous welded rail behavior [Familiarity]
- Develop a track drainage design [Usage]
3.6.3. RWE/Railway Signaling and Train Control ↑ Back to top
Fundamentals of railway signaling systems, interlocking principles, automatic train protection and control, and fixed-block and moving-block operation.
Topics:
Core
- Fundamental railway signaling systems
- Interlocking principles for safe train movements
- Automatic train protection and control (ATP/ATC) fundamentals
- Fixed-block and moving-block operating systems
Learning Outcomes:
Core:
- Describe fundamental railway signaling systems [Familiarity]
- Explain interlocking principles for safe train movements [Familiarity]
- Summarize automatic train protection and control fundamentals [Familiarity]
- Compare fixed-block and moving-block operating principles and their effect on capacity [Assessment]
3.6.4. RWE/Railway Electrification ↑ Back to top
Fundamentals of overhead catenary and third-rail electrification systems, traction substations, and power supply arrangements for railways.
Topics:
Core
- Overhead catenary system fundamentals
- Third-rail electrification systems
- Traction substations
- Power supply arrangements and voltage standards
Learning Outcomes:
Core:
- Describe overhead catenary system components and function [Familiarity]
- Explain third-rail electrification and its application constraints [Familiarity]
- Outline the role of traction substations in a railway power system [Familiarity]
- Identify power supply arrangements and applicable voltage standards [Familiarity]
3.6.5. RWE/Rolling Stock Fundamentals ↑ Back to top
Wheel-rail interaction, loading and kinematic gauges, basic vehicle dynamics, and rolling stock types.
Topics:
Core
- Wheel-rail interaction and contact mechanics fundamentals
- Loading gauge and kinematic envelope
- Basic vehicle dynamics: hunting, stability, and ride quality
- Rolling stock types for freight, passenger, and transit service
Learning Outcomes:
Core:
- Explain wheel-rail interaction and contact mechanics fundamentals [Familiarity]
- Apply loading gauge constraints to infrastructure clearance design [Usage]
- Describe basic vehicle dynamics phenomena affecting ride quality and stability [Familiarity]
- Classify rolling stock types by service and operating requirements [Familiarity]
3.6.6. RWE/Railway Capacity and Operations ↑ Back to top
Railway line and network capacity analysis, timetabling methods, operations planning, and train dispatching.
Topics:
Core
- Railway line and network capacity analysis
- Timetabling methods and conflict resolution
- Operations planning for freight and passenger service
- Train dispatching and control center operations
Learning Outcomes:
Core:
- Analyze railway line and network capacity [Assessment]
- Develop a conflict-free railway timetable [Usage]
- Plan freight and passenger railway operations [Usage]
- Describe train dispatching and control center functions [Familiarity]
3.6.7. RWE/Railway Station and Terminal Design ↑ Back to top
Passenger station and platform design, freight terminal and yard design, and accessibility and multimodal integration at railway facilities.
Topics:
Core
- Passenger station design fundamentals
- Platform design, clearances, and passenger flow
- Freight terminal and yard design
- Accessibility and multimodal integration at railway facilities
Learning Outcomes:
Core:
- Design a passenger railway station for projected demand [Usage]
- Size platforms and clearances for projected passenger flow [Usage]
- Describe freight terminal and yard design principles [Familiarity]
- Integrate accessibility and multimodal connections into a railway station design [Usage]