|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Main Page
In the News Main Page |
Overview
of the UIUC Railroad Research Program: A Century of Progress in Railroad Engineering Research at UIUC The UIUC has had a long and distinguished history in railroad engineering. Significant contributions of the UIUC railroad engineering programs date back to the early years of the 20th century. Testing and development of track modulus by Talbot (1910-1930's) resulted in the development of fundamental engineering relationships that remain in use to this day. The first train resistance models by Schmidt and Tuthill (1910-1940's) were developed at UIUC. These findings ultimately led to the Davis Equation for estimating train resistance which is still in use today. More recent examples are the extensive work by Wetenkamp (1970-1980's) on railroad wheels that lead to development of the curved plate wheels and research on track structure by Hay. Professor William Hay was Professor of Railroad Engineering at UIUC for over 30 years. Through his teaching and research Hay had a major influence on modern railroad engineering practices. That influence continues to be felt through many of his students who hold prominent positions throughout the railroad industry. Professor Hay's long and distinguished career at UIUC culminated in a comprehensive textbook on railroad engineering. The second edition of the text Railroad Engineering by Professor W. Hay was published in 1982 shortly after his retirement from UIUC and remains the definitive text on railroad engineering in North America. In 1983, UIUC was awarded one of the three AAR Affiliated Laboratory Programs in Railroad Engineering. Since its inception in 1983, the AAR program at UIUC was under the direction of Professor Ernest Barenberg who has worked closely with the AAR on many important research projects. With Professor Barenberg's retirement UIUC evaluated the future of its railroad activities. In 1998 UIUC renewed its commitment by creating a new position solely devoted to the railroad research and academic programs on campus. In 1998, Dr. Christopher Barkan came to UIUC from the AAR's research program to direct these activities. One measure of the strength of the UIUC program is that over 20 faculty members and three times that number of graduate students have been involved in railroad related research through this program. In short, UIUC enjoys a strong record of achievement in railroad engineering
throughout the 20th century. We look forward to continued contributions
towards the progress of railroad engineering and technology in the 21st
century, through our ongoing cooperative research relationship with AAR
and TTCI. |