1. Module 9: Railway Track Alignment Design
May 2008
Module 9: Railway Track Alignment Design
This is the heart of Railroad Design – Track Alignment. We will not get into the details of track alignment designing software, but we will look into the background and some basics of track alignment.
The subject of this module is Track Alignment. First, off we have to settle an age old problem. That is how do you spell the word “Alignment”.
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2. Objectives Railway vs. Highway Horizontal Curves Vertical Curves
May 2008
Railway vs. Highway
Horizontal Curves
Vertical Curves
Superelevation
Maximum Grade
Practical Tips
Cardinal Rules
In this module we will provide a brief overview of railway track alignment both horizontal and vertical We will discuss the difference between highway and railroad curves. We will explore the mysterious world of superelevations and at the conclusion you will be given some practical tips and list of cardinal rules.
For those of you familiar with track alignment design this module will serve as review and maybe give you some information you did not know, for others you will become familiar with the curve and alignment terminology.
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3. Railway Alignment Safe to operate under all weather conditions
May 2008
Safe to operate under all weather conditions
Minimum costs for:
Construction
Maintenance
Operation
Several critical design considerations
Speed, type and volume of traffic
Space considerations (Right-of-Way)
Environmental concerns
Politics and land use issues
Other economic criteria
A surface transportation corridor is comprised of a series of tangent routes connected with curves. It could be: between populated centers, along an existing railway, or out in the boondocks. Whether it is for a railway, highway, or pipeline, the challenge for locating the alignment is to avoid geotechnically undesirable and environmentally sensitive areas while keeping the construction, maintenance and operating costs to a minimum, but SAFE to operate under all weather conditions.
Design criteria should be determined based on the following topics:
Most existing rail lines are utilized by several types of trains with different speeds. (new lines are generally single purpose – coal, light rail, etc,) Alignment design should consider characteristics of main traffic types.
Available space, especially in urban settings, environmentally sensitive area, or steep hilly areas may cause major restrictions to design
Traffic volumes (number of trains per day, week, year, life cycle)
Environmental concerns, politics and land use issues all place specific restrictions on most projects.
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4. Railway vs. Highway Railway alignment differs from Highway:
May 2008
Railway alignment differs from Highway:
Operator has no horizontal control
Higher mass/power ratio – flatter grade required
Rail 286,000 lbs vs. 80,000 lbs gross truck
Rail up to 70 ft. truck centers – higher curve resistance
Extremely long stopping distance
Faster trains require tighter tolerances in track alignment
Opposing trains may operate on same track
Railway Alignment differs significantly from Highway Alignment
Design of railway alignment differs significantly from highway alignment for the following reasons:
In general, alignment considerations weigh more heavily on railroads, because guidance mechanism is defined almost exclusively by track location. Operator has no control over horizontal movements.  
Trains operate at more than 10 times higher mass/power ratios than highway trucks, requiring flatter grade
Up to 286,000 lbs (143 tons) gross per railcar – 200 tons per locomotive – multiplied by the number of cars and locomotives. Long trains have extremely high grade resistance. Use 286,000 lbs because that is what RR industry uses to refer to the heavier cars. Trucks limit is generally 80,000 lbs.
Longer railcars have truck (wheel set) spacing of 40 to 70 feet – high curve resistance. Trucks have up to 40 feet for interstate semi-trailers
Trains require extremely long distance to stop. A 60 mph freight train on level track needs more than 13,000 feet to stop safely with normal service braking – shorter with emergency braking.
Train speed may be up to 100 mph (higher for high speed passenger rail) and increasing – need horse power to minimize speed loss running upgrade and need low tolerances for track geometry.
Traffic of opposing directions operate on the same track, especially on segments with single track, but possibly in double track sections as well.
Other considerations not listed on chart
Long stopping distance and opposing movements require that determination to stop can not be based on the Engineer’s decisions. Trains do not operate on main tracks by sight as road vehicles. Trains require occupancy permit from dispatcher who protects the authorized train against opposing and following traffic within the same block – a block is a section of track within identified control limits. Instructions to engineers are transmitted either by radio or by fixed signals along the tracks or both.
Typical railway track is a semi floating structure; the alignment, surface, and cross level of which may deteriorate due to use and over winter season
Aesthetic not a major railway concern – except for urban transit systems. Railroads take generally narrower strip of land than highways, so their visibility to environment is less drastic. However, due to flatter grades, higher cuts and fills may be required, especially on hilly or mountainous surface.
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5. Mainlines Critical issues Maximum curvature determines speed
May 2008
Critical issues
Maximum curvature determines speed
Speed (required) determines curvature
Terrain governs size of curves
Train tonnage and maximum lengths
Traffic volumes and train makeup for capacity (number of tracks, density of crossovers, etc.)
The required speed of rail traffic determines the curvatures used and vise versa the sharpest curve determines speed.
The terrain and existing land use govern the size of the curves -
Train characteristics necessary to ensure that design doesn’t restrict any of the movements (too sharp or too long grade)
Mainline can have 1, 2, 3 or even 4 tracks, or a combination of them. This is based on traffic density and volumes. This also determines, how often and how long sidings are required for meetings of trains traveling to opposite directions and how often crossovers are installed to allow shifts from one track to another.
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6. Horizontal Curve
May 2008
The slide above shows a horizontal curve and all it’s components. From here we’ll break it down into parts and discuss their use and design.
The major components are the spiral and the curve.
The important parts between these key elements are noted here.
TS = point of transition of Tangent to Spiral
SC = Spiral to Curve
CS = Curve to Spiral
ST = Spiral to Tangent
You will find these called different – PS PC PT ST or others
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7. Horizontal Curves Horizontal curve definition:
May 2008
Horizontal curve definition:
Railways: Based on D and defined as angle subtended by 100-ft. chord.
R (ft.) = 50 ft. / sin ( D / 2 )
- Highways: Based on angle subtended by 100-ft. arc.
D (hwy) = / R
Practical Tip No. 1 – Railroads use “Degree” not “Radius”
Curvature and Curve Resistance
While highways have evolved to specifying curves by arc definition or simply by radius, railways in the US and Canada retain the 100-ft. chord definition from the 19th century. For railways, the “degree of curve” is defined as the angle subtended by a 100-ft. chord:
R (ft.) = 50 ft. / sin ( D / 2 ) e.g.: for a 6 curve, Radius = ft.
Railroaders are proud of this difference – don’t insult a railroader by saying “It’s not a big deal”.
Many design software are developed for highway design and don’t accommodate chord definition, thus leading to complicated transformations, while designing railroads. For mainline design, margin of error for curve lengths is mostly insignificant, but always use the correct definition.
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8. Reverse Curve
May 2008
When one curve follows another, the two curves having a common tangent at the point of junction and lying upon opposite sides of the common tangent form a Reverse Curve. The point of junction on the common tangent is called the Point of Reversed Curvature “PRC”. Plain and simple never, never have a PRC on a rail design – you need a tangent between reverse curves. The higher the speed of the track the longer this tangent needs to be.
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9. Reverse Curves
May 2008
Upper left- the reverse curve is left from a track rationalization which restricts the speed of the train to 10 MPH.
Upper right- this reverse curve is left when the center siding has been removed between the main on the right and the siding on the left.
Lower left- new construction of a concrete track on the right with sufficient tangent between the curves to allow 30 MPH.
Lower right- new construction of triple track and realignment of the existing tracks allows for sufficient tangent between the curves for a speed of 40 MPH.
Photo by Dave Clark
Photo by Bob Ice
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10. Avoid Reverse Curves Objectionable in track-train dynamics
May 2008
Objectionable in track-train dynamics
Reversed track twist of spiral requires high maintenance
Railways need tangent track between curves of opposite directions:
Recommended 100 ft (Practical Tip No. 2)
Recommended 2 second transit time for passenger operations
Not less than the length of longest railcar expected to traverse the curves
Avoid Reversed Curves
Good idea – avoid reverse curves – easier said than done. Sometimes you just have to use a reverse curve –nothing else will fit.
If there is no tangent or a very short tangent exists, the marked change in direction is objectionable in track-train dynamics for the rigid 2-axle truck assembly used in railcars, resulting in possible derailment. For main lines and high-speed tracks with spirals and super-elevation, the minimum tangent length between reversed spiral curves should be a very minimum of 100 feet and not less than the length of the longest car expected to traverse the curves. Ok what about an industry track – try to use the same rule – you can’t have a car going two different directions without problems. The AREMA manual includes a chart for reverse curves in yard tracks.
AAR Train-Track Dynamics studies resulted in the recommendation that there should be at least 200 feet of tangent between reversing curves of 2 deg 30min or sharper otherwise the train speed should not exceed 40 MPH.
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11. Railway Spirals Location for spirals in railroads:
May 2008
Location for spirals in railroads:
In main track between tangents and curves
Between curves of different curvatures in compound curves
Form of railway spiral
should have a linear rate of curvature increase
Clothoid Spiral is almost exclusively used in Canada and the U.S.A.
Spirals are use at two locations on railway curves
On main tracks between the tangent and the curve – mainline because they are not generally used on side tracks and yards
On mainline compound curves – between the curves
The form of spirals used in railways should have a linear rate of curvature increase that varies directly with the length. The Clothoid Spiral is almost used exclusively in the U.S.A. and Canada for railways and highways. Such a spiral is sometimes referred to as a “Cubic Parabola”.
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12. Spiral Transition Curves
May 2008
Spirals provide
Gradual change from tangent to curve
A desirable length for super-elevation run-off
Highway spiral length:
Ls = A2 / R A = spiral parameter
Railways use the higher of two formula:
To limit unbalanced lateral acceleration acting on passengers to 0.03 g per second:
Ls = 1.63 Eu V Eu = unbalanced elevation (in.)
To limit track twist to 1 inch in 62 feet:
Ls = 62 Ea Ea = actual elevation (in.)
Spiral Transition Curves
 Spiral easements provide a gradual change in curvature from tangents to circular curves and a desirable length for super-elevation runoff. In highway design, spirals also provide flexibility to accommodate lane widening and improved aesthetics.
 Highway spiral lengths are expressed mathematically as follows:
 L = A2 / R
 Where L = length of spiral in feet
R = radius of circular curve in feet
A = spiral parameter
A2 = rate of change of length with respect to curvature
 The spiral parameter “A” is a measure of the spiral flatness – a larger parameter signifies a flatter spiral. Highway designers often use longer spirals with larger parameters to enhance the aesthetics of the alignment.
The minimum length of a railway spiral is calculated by 2 formula. The first one is for gradual change in curvature for passenger comfort, high center of gravity freight cars and better curve negotiation. As railway tracks are normally elevated with a cant deficiency for the passenger train speed, this formula ensure that the unbalanced lateral acceleration acting on a passenger does not exceed 0.03g per second.
L = 1.63 Eu V
Eu = unbalanced elevation in inches
V = maximum train speed in miles per hour
 The second formula limits the track twist as related to freight car suspension due to super-elevation runoff. The rate of elevating the outer rail through the spiral should not exceed 1 inch in 62 feet.
 L = 62 Ea
Ea = actual elevation in inches
 The desirable spiral length is the higher length produced by the 2 formula.
There are two ways of determining the spiral length – the first and easiest way is look up on the operating railroad’s spiral chart the length of spirals. The second way is to use the formula and calculate the distance – then most importantly round off to the closest 10 feet.  
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13. Superelevation / Cross Level
May 2008
Highways
Equilibrium elevation “e”:
e = B V2 / (32.16 R ) V in ft./sec; e, B, R in ft.
Highways use cross level “ e’ = e / B ” and side friction factor “ f ” to overcome centrifugal force:
e’ + f = V2 / (14.65 R ) V in mph; R in ft.
Super-elevation / Cross Level
This is a slide showing the highway formulas for super in a highway – do not used on these on railroads curves. 
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14. Super-elevation / Cross Level
May 2008
Railways
Elevation of Curves (MRE 5.3.3)
e= Bv2/32.2R
e = Equilibrium elevation in feet
B = Bearing Distance in feet
center to center of rails
≈4’ 11-½” for standard gauge track
v = Velocity in feet per second
R = Radius in feet
This converts to
E = V2 D V in mph; D = Degree
E = Equilibrium elevation in inches
Super-elevation / Cross Level
(SEE in AREMA MRE)  The bearing distance “B” of a standard gauge track is 4’ 11-½” from center to center of rails. The actual distance varies with the weight of rail and amount of head wear.
The standard gauge in North America and most European Countries is 4’ 8-1/2”. Gauge is the distance between the inside of the heads of both rails. Railways traditionally express the super-elevation “E” of the outer rail in inches above the low rail.
The centrifugal force equals the first equation
To convert to common usage – change velocity to MPH – Radius to Degrees – and it becomes
 E = V2 D.
 Where E = super-elevation in inches
V = velocity in miles per hour
D = degree
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15. Unbalanced Elevation
May 2008
Different maximum allowed speeds for different trains on the same track:
Passenger
Express freight
General freight
Balance flange wear of both rails
Actual elevation on track to balance head and flange wear of both rails:
Bulk commodity – below equilibrium
General freight – at or 1” above equilibrium
Express freight – 1” to 2” above equilibrium
Conventional passenger – 3” above equilibrium
High speed passenger (100 mph+) – 4” above
Unbalanced Elevation or Cant Deficiency
 Railways specify different maximum allowed speeds for different types of trains - passenger, time sensitive express freight (container trains), and general freight – on the same section of track and power these trains with different mass/power ratios to save on energy cost. A full tonnage bulk train on the ruling grade may be running at less than 10 mph while a light passenger train may be at 60 mph. Even the same train running in opposite directions may be operating at different speeds depending whether it is running up or down the hill. Because of the large variation in train speeds on the same track, railways generally set the super-elevation to balance the head and flange wear on both rails. This elevation is normally within one inch of equilibrium for the general freights. The maximum allowed speed for conventional passenger trains is set at 3 inches of unbalance (cant deficiency) higher than the actual elevation. That is, if the actual elevation is 4 inches, the maximum allowed speed for conventional trains will be set at the equilibrium speed as if there is 7 inches of elevation. Certain specialized high speed passenger trains such as the AmTrak Acela Express between Washington, DC and Boston, MA may operate at 4 inches of cant deficiency.
In railway practice, it is the inner rail that is maintained at designed grade while the outer rail is raised to the required super-elevation. The profile of a track is to show the elevation of the lower rail. This practice does not apply to rail transit on elevated guideway.
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16. Maximum Curvature Good designers limit curvature to:
May 2008
Good designers limit curvature to:
High Speed Passenger 1 Curve
Main Lines - prairie 2 Curve
Main Lines - mountain 4 Curve (if possible)
Branch Lines – 25 mph 8 Curve
Yard Tracks 12 Curve (varies)
Over 13º curves may cause operational difficulties.
Maximum Curvature / Minimum Radius
All AAR approved railcars can negotiate a 13 curve during switching (say 5 mph) even with extreme long-short car combination. As railway tracks, particularly curves, do deteriorate due to use over time, it is good practice to limit the alignment of yard tracks to 12 curves. You need to check with the operating railroad – for example BNSF curves are limited to 9 30’. Due to limited drawbar swing, train crew may have difficulty in coupling cars on curves exceeding a 9. Sharp curves will result in more maintenance and more operating expense.
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17. Maximum Superelevation
May 2008
Highway Authorities:
Range to 0.08 ft./ft. as maximum
FRA:
8” cross-level for Class 1 & 2 – 30 mph psgr., 25 mph frt.
7” for Class 3 through 5 tracks
Transport Canada:
6” for tracks of all Classes
Railways usually adopt 1” less than regulatory limit to ensure compliance if the tracks move due to use or over winter
Maximum Super-elevation
Most state highway authorities adopt 0.06 ft./ft. as the maximum super-elevation rate with occasional exception to 0.08 ft./ft.
In USA, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) limits the maximum cross-level to 8 inches for Class 1 and 2 tracks and 7 inches for Class 3 through 5. Transport Canada limits the maximum to 6 inches for all classes of tracks. FRA and Transport Canada classify tracks according to maximum allowed speeds for passenger trains and freight trains - Class 1 being slowest, Class 5 fastest.
Don’t be fooled into thinking that you can design tracks with those limits they are not to be used for setting superelevation on curves. Most railroads limit cross-level to 5-inches or less.
As track surface and cross level deteriorate due to seasonal effects such as frost heaving, railways usually further limit their maximum to below the regulatory allowance, such as 5 inches for CN in Canada.
The use of large amounts of superelevation on curves where trains may be frequently stopped will have adverse effect and should be avoided.
Railways often superelevate curves ½” even when not required to prevent reverse elevation due to settlement
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18. Vertical Curves Highway vertical curves:
May 2008
Highway vertical curves:
L = K A
K = coefficient defining length per gradient change
A = algebraic difference of grade (%)
Railway vertical curves – old formula:
L = D / R
D = algebraic difference of grade (ft. per 100-ft. station)
R = rate of change per 100-ft. station
0.05 ft. per station for crest on main track
0.10 ft. per station for sag on main track
Secondary line may be twice those for main line
Railways moving to shorter vertical curves
Vertical Curves
 In highway alignment design, the length of vertical curve is determined by a coefficient “K” which defines the horizontal distance required for every one percent gradient change. Each road authority publishes a different recommended coefficient “K” for crest curves and sag curves at different design speed. The crest coefficient is dictated by the safe stopping distance, non-striping sight distance, and passing sight distance. The lower sag coefficient is dictated by headlight control and comfort control. The minimum length of vertical curve is then calculated by the following formula:
L = K A
 Where L = length of vertical curve in feet
K = coefficient defining length per percent gradient change
A = algebraic difference between intersecting gradient (%)
The 120-year-old railway vertical curve formula is similar to the highway, except that it works in terms of 100-ft. stations.
L = D / R
Where L = length of vertical curve in 100-ft. stations
D = algebraic difference of rates of grade
R = rate of change per 100-ft. station
The rate of change “R” for main line is 0.05 ft. per station for crest and 0.10 ft. per station for sag. The rates of change for secondary line may be twice those for main line.
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19. New Shorter Vertical Curves
May 2008
Old railway formula developed in 1880’s for “link and pin” couplers in those days
Present day couplers can accommodate shorter vertical curves
New formula developed in recent years:
L = 2.15 V2 D / A
V = train speed in mph
D = algebraic difference of grade in decimal
A = vertical acceleration in ft./sec2
0.1 ft./ sec2 for freight, 0.6 ft./ sec2 for psgr or transit
Practical Tip No. 3 – Verify RR uses new equation
The old formula was developed in the 1880’s for the “link and pin” coupler system in those days. This formula provides excessive vertical curve length for the present day coupler system and a new formula has been developed by American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-way Association “AREMA” (working with Association of American Railroads “AAR”). The new formula takes account of train speed, vertical acceleration and percent gradient change.
L = 2.15 V2 D / A
Where L = length of vertical curve in feet but 100 ft. minimum
V = speed of train in miles per hour
D = algebraic difference of grade in decimal
A = vertical acceleration in ft/sec2
2.15 = factor converting V2 from (mph)2 to (feet per second)2
The recommended vertical acceleration “A” for use in this formula is 0.1 ft/sec2 for freight and 0.6 ft/sec2 for passenger and transits. This formula makes the freight vertical curve 6 times as long as a passenger train.
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20. Design Grade for Railways
May 2008
Maximum design grade:
Primary Line = 0.4% railway – 3.0% highway
Secondary Line = 1.0% railway – 6.0% hwy
Ideal maximum for railway grade:
Trains can roll safely down 0.3% grade without wasting energy on brakes
Tracks dedicated for passenger or transit use only may have steeper grade
As the railways are raising their train speeds (and trailing tonnage) to increase line capacity, the railway designer should limit the maximum grade on primary line to 0.4% compared to highways’ 3% max. for interstate. For all other railway lines, the maximum grade should not exceed 1.0% just as highways limit other roads to 6% grade. If these rules can not be accommodated, it should be analyzed, if exceeding the limits will have adverse effects on operations
The preferred maximum grade for a railway line is 0.33%. A train can roll safely down a grade of less than 0.3% without wasting energy on the brakes.
Passenger and transit rail lines can accommodate higher grades (especially short ones) due to lighter vehicles, smaller trains and greater power ratios. In addition, each car tends to have motor, so adding cars will not cause extra work for locomotive.
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21. Stationing
May 2008
Milepost and Stationing might not increase in the same direction
Milepost not accurate
Establish stationing from a set object
Equations
Practical Tip No. 4 – Know when to station to the 100th
On a existing long established railroad, stationing does not necessarily increase in the same direction of the milepost. Surveyors would leap ahead to the next town and work both directions out of that town. A crew would leap frog a head on another crew then work back to the first crew.
If you look at a track chart - it gives a station for Milepost –(don’t use them for picking up railroad stationing -it was railroad common practice to place the Mile board on the post or telegraph pole). Most railway mile post are not a mile apart.
Along with the milepost other objects have a tendency to migrate with time – grade crossings (center line of road moved), turnouts (change size), timber bridges (redrove line of piling). Look for items that have not moved in some time – culverts, concrete bridge abutments, etc.
Be aware that there are a lot of equations on the railroad. Line changes necessitate a change in stationing – instead of restationing the whole line an “equation” is used at the point where the new meets the old. There can be “short” and “long” equations – meaning more track or less track.
Generally it is best to have north on the top of sheet and have the sheets read from West to East – even if the stationing is the opposite direction. It is just easier to read the plans.
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22. Clearance Specific clearances necessary for safe operations
May 2008
Specific clearances necessary for safe operations
Size of car clearance envelope is based on dimensions of:
Locomotives
Cars
Potential large loads
Requirements set by several agencies
Clearance is the space required between track and other fixed objections.
Size of envelope may vary, based on the level of service, type of track or type of object to be cleared.
They are mandated by States and railway policies. AAR and AREMA publish “plates” to provide guidance. Clearance requirements should always be clarified with railroad and state prior to design.
With new, larger equipment, minimum clearances have increased. This should be considered, when upgrading existing routes.
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23. Horizontal Clearance Constant on tangent track Additional clearance:
May 2008
Constant on tangent track
Additional clearance:
In curves for car end swing and car overhang
In superelevated tracks to provide room for cant
- Car end swing and overhang are dependent of the dimensions of the railcar (the longer, the bigger)
Maximum swingout occurs at the mid-point between two trucks of a railcar. (critical point)
Total additional clearance requirement is the sum of swingout (due to curvature) and the tilt (due to superelevation)
Special considerations, when determining side clearances:
Fixed objects close to the envelope may represent significant obstacle in maintenance of track.
Clearance point should be known. This is the minimum dimension between tracks, so two trains can safely meet pass each other.
Railroad policy for clearance between centerlines of parallel tracks (typically 13 to 15 feet), but increased in the curves.
If tilting-body passenger rail equipment used, additional clearance required to compensate for tilting.
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24. Vertical Clearance Constant on tangent track Additional clearance:
May 2008
Constant on tangent track
Additional clearance:
In sag vertical curves
In superelevated tracks
For specialized equipment
To provide threshold for future track maintenance and equipment changes
In sag vertical curves, additional clearance required due to distance between railcar trucks.
In superelevated tracks to provide room, because of cant
Intermodal double-deck trains and auto rack cars much higher than conventional equipment
Track maintenance often involves surfacing track, which is done by raising track slightly. If no threshold provided, expensive undercutting is required.
Vertical clearances are extremely critical, when upgrading existing facilities, since most of them were not designed for current equipment. Traffic type should be identified, before determining vertical clearance criteria.
Be aware that for both Horizontal and Vertical clearances that minimum clearances vary state by state and that the railroad generally have their own minimum clearances.
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25. What’s wrong with this picture?
Turnouts
May 2008
Answer: Avoid placing turnouts in curves if possible, and try to never have a turnout diverging on the inside of a curved track. Doing so creates much sharper curvature than the original track had.
What’s wrong with this picture?
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26. 21 Cardinal Rules
May 2008
SEE YOUR HANDOUT…DISPLAY IT SOMEWHERE CLOSE AND SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS!
Location determines the length of spur track, but also what kind of geometry can be used for design
Topography may cause major issues, especially at locations, where facility is close to main tracks. The elevation of tracks is quite fixed both at the loading decks of facility and where it connects to main line. Large differences in these values may be difficult to accommodate.
Number of cars used by facility important to know, since they have to be stored on tracks. If large number must be stored, additional storage tracks may need to be constructed.
Type of equipment (locomotives and cars) and traffic density should be known to determine limits for design. Industry spurs may use sharp curves that can be hard to accommodate with some equipment. Density of use determines, what type of switch should be used (# of switch, Hand or power operated).
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27. Some Design Software
May 2008
There are two major computer aided drafting (CAD) programs used in the industry
AutoCAD (railroads, private industries)
Microstation (state D.O.T.s, government)
Each program has add-on Design software programs that are used for designing the horizontal alignments, vertical profiles, cross-sections
Bentley
Rail Track: (specifically rail design) Civil 3D
Geopak: (highway or rail design)
Inroads: (highway or rail design)
Autodesk
Civil 3D (highway or rail design)
AREMA does not endorse or support any particular track design software program.
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28. Design Software Views Rail Track Interface 3-D model May 2008
Here are some design software screen captures. On the left the track design software simultaneously shows the Plan view (in the upper left), the vertical track profile (in the bottom left) , and the cross-section (on right) with proposed earthwork cuts for ditches shown in green. The picture on the right shows a 3-dimensional wireframe image of the proposed track.
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29. QUESTIONS? Author: Charley Chambers, P.E. John G. Green, Ph.D., P.E.
May 2008
Author:
Charley Chambers, P.E.
Hanson Professional Services, inc.
(425)
Revisions:
John G. Green, Ph.D., P.E.
CH2M Hill, inc.
(312)
Acknowledgements
We will briefly entertain questions. For additional information please feel free to use the contact information shown above.
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30. REVISION HISTORY
May 2008
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