C. Tyler Dick, P.E.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Copyright C. Tyler Dick, 2012 – All Rights Reserved
1
Railway geometry is designed with a
specialized application running within a
CAD program
InRail or Geopak most common
Both run inside MicroStation
Civil3D within AutoCAD is also used
Copyright C. Tyler Dick, 2012 – All Rights Reserved
2
MicroStation CAD platform
Generates, manipulates and prints
graphics
Displays aerial images, backgrounds
Layer drawings into design plans
InRail or Geopak Design Software
Intelligent “brains & math” behind graphics
Ties track alignment and profile geometry
to graphics
Stores elevation and terrain model data for
existing ground and proposed subgrade
surfaces
Copyright C. Tyler Dick, 2012 – All Rights Reserved
3
Early days of computing, method of math processing leads
to efficiency in certain areas
MicroStation for large spatial civil projects
AutoCAD for detailed mechanical design
Many State DOTs adopted MicroStation
Railways and consultants did the same
Some structures work with AutoCAD, used for rail design in
states with “AutoCAD DOTs”
MicroStation and AutoCAD interfaces converging over
time… MS v8i offers complete cross-functionality
Copyright C. Tyler Dick, 2012 – All Rights Reserved
4
Bentley InRail is a specialized version of the
InRoads highway design software
95% of the commands and functions are the
same
Same workflow
InRail offers additional capability for
turnouts, superlevation, rail design criteria
Copyright C. Tyler Dick, 2012 – All Rights Reserved
5
Turnout commands
Copyright C. Tyler Dick, 2012 – All Rights Reserved
Rail design
6 options
6
Aerial and ground survey
Geotechnical field investigation
Track design
InRail
Horizontal and vertical geometry
Subgrade, earthwork and basic drainage
Culverts and special ditches
Roadway crossings and signage
Bridge and facilities design support
Copyright C. Tyler Dick, 2012 – All Rights Reserved
7
Survey
Contours and topo information provided in
AutoCAD or MicroStation format
Aerial images may also be provided
Use InRail and survey drawing to create 3D
model of existing ground
Digital Terrain Model or “DTM”
Network of triangles represents the surface
Copyright C. Tyler Dick, 2012 – All Rights Reserved
8
Copyright C. Tyler Dick, 2012 – All Rights Reserved
9
Detailed Topo
Preliminary Route
Horizontal Alignment
DTM
Grades OK?
Vertical Alignment (Profile)
Typical Section
Preliminary Subgrade
Earthwork Quantities
Balanced?
In ROW?
Preliminary Limits of
Cut and Fill
Preliminary ROW
Final Geometry (H&V)
Copyright C. Tyler Dick, 2012 – All Rights Reserved
10
Can set design
criteria to autogenerate
curves, spirals
and super
elevation
based on track
design speed
and maximum
super elevation
Copyright C. Tyler Dick, 2012 – All Rights Reserved
11
Design
vertical
curves by
“R” value
for track
design
Can also
automate
with
design
criteria
Copyright C. Tyler Dick, 2012 – All Rights Reserved
12
Final Geometry
DTM & Typical Section Template
Corridor & Preliminary Earthwork Model
Set Special Ditch Profiles
Detailed Earthwork Model
In ROW?
Final Limits of
Cut and Fill
Final ROW
Hydraulic check
Final Cross Sections
Final Quantities
Copyright C. Tyler Dick, 2012 – All Rights Reserved
13
Define
subgrade
and ditch
width, side
slopes
Copyright C. Tyler Dick, 2012 – All Rights Reserved
14
Plan
X-section
Profile
Copyright C. Tyler Dick, 2012 – All Rights Reserved
Assign
templates
to
horizontal
and
vertical
geometry
Preview
cross
sections
15
Templates
create 3-D
proposed
subgrade
earthwork
surface
Fill
Cut with Ditches
Copyright C. Tyler Dick, 2012 – All Rights Reserved
16
Locomotive
cab
perspective
view of
proposed
and existing
earthwork
surfaces
Cut with Ditches
Fill
Proposed
Centerline
Copyright C. Tyler Dick, 2012 – All Rights Reserved
17
Detailed earthwork model and DTM
combined into proposed terrain
Drainage area analysis determines flows
and culvert locations
Culverts sized using hydraulic analysis
programs outside CAD
Copyright C. Tyler Dick, 2012 – All Rights Reserved
18
Roadway crossings
Layout of panels, protection devices
Horizontal and vertical reconstruction
Culverts to carry ditches under roadways
Locate signage, derails, bumping posts
Coordinate with bridge and/or facilities
designers
Railway geometry and earthwork sections
Quantities & Cost Estimates
Copyright C. Tyler Dick, 2012 – All Rights Reserved
19

Standard CAD tools used to create
sheets from rail design program output
Project Layout
Geometry and
Quantity Summaries
Typical Sections
Plan and Profile
Track
Culvert
Roadway
Cross Sections
Standard Details
Sign Layouts
Grade Crossing
Layouts
Drainage Area Map
Bridge/Facility
Drawings
Copyright C. Tyler Dick, 2012 – All Rights Reserved
20
Copyright C. Tyler Dick, 2012 – All Rights Reserved
21
MicroStation v8i and InRail (Bentley Rail
Track v8i) are available on a student/faculty
academic license from Bentley
Individual and institution licenses available
www.bentley.com
Training & learning
Academic program
Educators
Students
Copyright C. Tyler Dick, 2012 – All Rights Reserved
22
Presentation Author
Tyler Dick
Professional Associate, Engineer-Rail
HDR Engineering
600 West 6th Street, Suite 100 | Fort Worth, TX 76102
817.333.2803
tyler.dick@hdrinc.com | hdrinc.com
…….
It is the author’s intention that the information contained in this file be used for non-commercial, educational
purposes with as few restrictions as possible. However, there are some necessary constraints on its use as
described below.
Copyright Restrictions and Disclaimer:
The materials used in this file have come from a variety of sources and have been assembled here for
personal use by the author for educational purposes. The copyright for some of the images and graphics used
in this presentation may be held by others. Users may not change or delete any author attribution, copyright
notice, trademark or other legend. Users of this material may not further reproduce this material without
permission from the copyright owner. It is the responsibility of the user to obtain such permissions as
necessary. You may not, without prior consent from the copyright owner, modify, copy, publish, display,
transmit, adapt or in any way exploit the content of this file. Additional restrictions may apply to specific
images or graphics as indicated herein.
The contents of this file are provided on an "as is" basis and without warranties of any kind, either express or
implied. The author makes no warranties or representations, including any warranties of title, noninfringement
of copyright or other rights, nor does the author make any warranties or representation regarding the
correctness, accuracy or reliability of the content or other material in the file.
Copyright C. Tyler Dick, 2012 – All Rights Reserved
23
Line-of-Road Simulation Tool
C. Tyler Dick
University of Illinois
Copyright Samuel L. Sogin, 2012 – All Rights Reserved
24
Network capacity analysis model
“RTC is a powerful software package that
dispatches trains using the same elements
as a human dispatcher.”
Copyright Samuel L. Sogin, 2012 – All Rights Reserved
25
Growth
Mix
Impact
High
Speed Rail
Market Shift
Future Case
“What-if”
Schedules
Train Size
What if? analyses
Adding
Infrastructure
Sidings
Signals
Double track
Operational
changes
Rerouting
Higher volumes
Shorter dwells
Copyright Samuel L. Sogin, 2012 – All Rights Reserved
26
Copyright Samuel L. Sogin, 2012 – All Rights Reserved
27
Copyright Samuel L. Sogin, 2012 – All Rights Reserved
28
Priorities
Network
Track Layout
Signals
Switches
Speed Limits
Grades
Curvature
Trains
Internal Train
Performance
Calculator
Meet/Pass Logic
Origin and Destinations
Dwells
Crew Changes
Locomotives
Consist
Priorities
Outputs
Copyright Samuel L. Sogin, 2012 – All Rights Reserved
29

Link Types
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Built of link and nodes

Nodes Identify
—
—
—
—
—
—
Copyright Samuel L. Sogin, 2012 – All Rights Reserved
Foul
Crossover
Turnout
Road Crossing
Signaled Siding
Controlled Siding
Main
Industrial
Storage
Passenger Station
Yard
Foreign
Signal
Switch
Diamond
Change in grade
Change in curvature
Change in speed
30
Detailed network
information:
Grade crossings
Speeds
Curvature
Elevations
Configuration
Sources of data:
GIS
Engineering database
Track charts
Timetables
Engineering drawings
Yard maps
Google/Bing Maps
Copyright Samuel L. Sogin, 2012 – All Rights Reserved
31
Track Charts
RTC
139.230
139.370
141.460
142.450
142.800
143.610
143.976
Main 1
Speed
Speed 50/4050/40
Speed
50/40
Speed
50/40
SpeedSpeed 50/40
Speed
55/50
55/50
Speed
55/50
GradeGrade
Grade
0.313
Grade
GradeGrade 0.000
Grade
-0.024
0.000
Grade
-0.230
-0.052
Curvature
2.11
Curvature
Curvature
1.87
0.930
0.3850.407
Curvature
Curvature 0.75 0.30
Curvature
2.08Curvature Curvature
2.60 2.75
Copyright Samuel L. Sogin, 2012 – All Rights Reserved
32
Signal BA 141.4
Orleans Rd CP 139
Copyright Samuel L. Sogin, 2012 – All Rights Reserved
33
Train consist characteristics
Tonnage
Length
Loaded/empty cars
Number and type of locomotives
Train route characteristics
Origin
Destination
Crew change locations
Turnaround locations
Pick-up and set-out locations
Copyright Samuel L. Sogin, 2012 – All Rights Reserved
34
Other data sources:
OS reporting
Dispatching replays
String-lines
Human sources:
Planners
Division managers
Trainmasters
Yardmasters
Copyright Samuel L. Sogin, 2012 – All Rights Reserved
35
Priorities
Network
Track Layout
Signals
Switches
Speed Limits
Grades
Curvature
Trains
Internal Train
Performance
Calculator
Meet/Pass Logic
Origin and Destinations
Dwells
Crew Changes
Locomotives
Consist
Priorities
Outputs
Copyright Samuel L. Sogin, 2012 – All Rights Reserved
36
Copyright Samuel L. Sogin, 2012 – All Rights Reserved
37
Priorities
Network
Track Layout
Signals
Switches
Speed Limits
Grades
Curvature
Trains
Internal Train
Performance
Calculator
Meet/Pass Logic
Origin and Destinations
Dwells
Crew Changes
Locomotives
Consist
Priorities
Outputs
Copyright Samuel L. Sogin, 2012 – All Rights Reserved
38
Priorities
Network
Track Layout
Signals
Switches
Speed Limits
Grades
Curvature
Trains
Internal Train
Performance
Calculator
Meet/Pass Logic
Origin and Destinations
Dwells
Crew Changes
Locomotives
Consist
Priorities
Outputs
Copyright Samuel L. Sogin, 2012 – All Rights Reserved
39
Priority-based dispatching
Train type specific
Coal
min: 3500 initial:5000 max:6500
Intermodal min: 4500 initial:6000 max:7500
Increases and decreases based on early or
late time versus prorated schedule
6000
Peaks when hours of service approaches for
crews
V10001
Q10001
5000
Q10001
Copyright Samuel L. Sogin, 2012 – All Rights Reserved
V10001
40
When trains become tangled RTC will
rewind, make changes and attempt to
resolve
The model will fail if it is unable to resolve
complicated conflicts
“The difference between RTC and the human is that RTC
solves the dispatching problem on a much larger scale:
greater distances and longer periods of time”
Copyright Samuel L. Sogin, 2012 – All Rights Reserved
41
Goal is for 28 days
7 days warm up
14 days statistical
period
7 day cool down
Randomize train departure
times
Set by train type
Intermodal trains [-0:15,+0:30]
Merchandise
[-0:30,+1:00]
Coal
[-2:00,+4:00]
Multiple random seeds
Copyright Samuel L. Sogin, 2012 – All Rights Reserved
42
Priorities
Network
Track Layout
Signals
Switches
Speed Limits
Grades
Curvature
Trains
Internal Train
Performance
Calculator
Meet/Pass Logic
Origin and Destinations
Dwells
Crew Changes
Locomotives
Consist
Priorities
Outputs
Copyright Samuel L. Sogin, 2012 – All Rights Reserved
43
Detailed train performance data
Delay reports
Time-distance charts
Animation
Copyright Samuel L. Sogin, 2012 – All Rights Reserved
44
Distance
6 Hour Disruption
Recovery
Normal
Time
Copyright Samuel L. Sogin, 2012 – All Rights Reserved
45
Copyright Samuel L. Sogin, 2012 – All Rights Reserved
46
Copyright Samuel L. Sogin, 2012 – All Rights Reserved
47
Presentation Author
C. Tyler Dick, P.E.
Senior Railway Research Engineer
Rail Transportation and Engineering Center
Civil & Environmental Engineering Department
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
1241 Newmark Civil Engineering Lab
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 300-2166
<ctdick@illinois.edu>
It is the author’s intention that the information contained in this file be used for non-commercial, educational
purposes with as few restrictions as possible. However, there are some necessary constraints on its use as
described below.
Copyright Restrictions and Disclaimer:
The materials used in this file have come from a variety of sources and have been assembled here for
personal use by the author for educational purposes. The copyright for some of the images and graphics used
in this presentation may be held by others. Users may not change or delete any author attribution, copyright
notice, trademark or other legend. Users of this material may not further reproduce this material without
permission from the copyright owner. It is the responsibility of the user to obtain such permissions as
necessary. You may not, without prior consent from the copyright owner, modify, copy, publish, display,
transmit, adapt or in any way exploit the content of this file. Additional restrictions may apply to specific
images or graphics as indicated herein.
The contents of this file are provided on an "as is" basis and without warranties of any kind, either express or
implied. The author makes no warranties or representations, including any warranties of title, noninfringement
of copyright or other rights, nor does the author make any warranties or representation regarding the
correctness, accuracy or reliability of the content or other material in the file.
Copyright Samuel L. Sogin, 2012 – All Rights Reserved
48