Track 1: Railroad Infrastructure Engineering – Sponsored by ASCE
Design, engineering, and construction of track, bridge structures and grade crossings; Geotechnical engineering of track substructure and right-of-way; Structural Health Monitoring; Best practices and advances in technology for the inspection and maintenance of the railroad infrastructure.
Track 2: Rolling Stock and Dynamics – Sponsored by ASME
Motive power technology; vehicle/track interaction; wheels, couplers, components, and other equipment; rolling stock design, manufacturing, materials, and maintenance.
Track 3: Communication and Signals – Sponsored by IEEE
Systems integration; track and wayside components; equipment components; positive train control; CBTC, Capacity improvements, Communications, Asset Management, Wireless crossings control; interoperability, and microprocessor control.
Track 4: Electrification – Sponsored by IEEE
Catenary and third rail design; materials; efficiency; electrification approaches; design for high speeds; electromagnetic compatibility (EMC); corrosion control; load flow simulation; energy savings storage devices; regenerative braking; smart electrical supply.
Track 5: Operations and Systems Management
Service availability and reliability; capacity models; impacts of aging equipment on service quality; freight railroad network optimization; asset planning; train scheduling.
Track 6: Safety and Security – Sponsored by UTCRS
System safety approaches; safety data mgt; AI Safety Application; risk analysis; accident avoidance, survivability, and investigation; operations safety; human factors; safety improvements; hazmat risk mgt; security assurance; emergency preparedness and response.
Track 7: Passenger and Transit
Investigations, insights, innovations, and implementations in all aspects of passenger rail transport.
Track 8: Railroad Industry: Past, Present, and Future
A look to the past for railroad history, observations of present trends in the railroad industry, or a look the future of rail transportation.