Fundamentals of Electric Rail Vehicle Systems Design, Procurement, Operations, and Maintenance

Overview of Car Types and Equipment Locations

Train Dynamics

• Acceleration, deceleration, tractive effort, grades and curves
• Adhesion, rotational inertia, speed time distance curve

Propulsion System

• Route profile, AC Propulsion system, Dynamic brakes
• Energy recovery/storage
• Control Features

Friction Braking System

• Physics and types of braking systems
• Brake control and stop distance

Power Collection

• Third rail power/Catenary power
• AC and DC power supply systems
• Rail gaps and phase breaks

Automatic Train Control and On-Car Interfaces

• ATP/ATO/ATS
• Implementation technology
• Positive train control (PTC)

Vehicle Physical Systems

Door Systems

• Types of doors, controls, and operation
• Safety circuits and failsafe design

Coupler

• Button vs pin, Drum switch, Retractable
• Safety

Auxiliary Power System

• Design of auxiliary inverters
• Calculating auxiliary loads and aux sizing
• Starting sequencing

Low Voltage Power Supply/Battery System

• Design of LVPS
• Design of the battery charging system
• Emergency loads
• Types of batteries for rail application

Passenger Information Systems

• Criticality and ADA
• Destination signs, Voice announcements, WiFi

Lighting

• Distribution and Intensity
• APTA emergency lighting requirements

Data Systems

• Fault information and management system
• Equipment logs (ATC, propulsion, etc.)
• Event Recorders
• Wayside communication and storage
• Interface to maintenance systems

Integration, Reliability, and Procurement

Train Control Architecture

• Physical trainlines, Networks, Failsafe design
• Circuit examples

Vehicle System Integration

• Challenges with multiple designers
• Physical, Electrical, Software integration
• Integration with wayside and environment

RAMS

• Reliability prediction
• Availability and Maintainability
• Safety, risk assessment, FMECAs
• NFPA-130

Industry Standards and Regulations

• Applicability of standards
• Federal and state regulations

Fleet Procurement

• Initial planning and Proposals
• Design, Construction, Testing, and Delivery
• System integration

 Cybersecurity

• Why is it important and factors to consider

Operations and Maintenance

Assimilation of rail fleet into existing rail systems

• Operator and Maintenance training
• Unique features of each property
• Developing parts description and stocking inventory

Maintenance

• Periodic maintenance
• Time based, mileage based, condition based
• Overhaul of sub-systems

Registration Date/Time:
9/29/2025 7:30am Eastern Time

Event Dates/Times:

• 9/29/2025  8:00am - 4:30pm Eastern Time
• 9/30/2025  8:00am - 4:30pm Eastern Time

This course uses the Canvas course management platform to share course information and materials. A UW NetID is required to access Canvas and supplemental course materials and resources. Your registration confirmation email will walk you through the NetID process and how to access the Canvas course website. 

NOTE: View local hotel options here. Nearby hotels include,

• Home2 Suites by Hilton Philadelphia - Convention Center, PA
• Philadelphia Marriott Downtown
• Residence Inn Philadelphia Center City

• Program Director

  Dave Peterson

• Instructors

  Sachit Kakkar

  Deputy Chief Operating Officer

  Mr. Kakkar is a Professional Engineer with 33 years of operational, engineering and management experience in design, acquisitions, maintenance and reliability improvement of rolling stock equipment. Mr. Kakkar holds bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and Professional Engineering license from Washington, DC.

   Sachit Kakkar is the Deputy Chief Operating Officer – Bus & Rail for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  He is responsible for day-to-day rail operations, maintenance of all rail vehicles, operational safety improvements, fleet reliability improvements, new fleet acquisition and fleet upgrades.

• Instructors

  Sachit Kakkar

  Deputy Chief Operating Officer

  Mr. Kakkar is a Professional Engineer with 33 years of operational, engineering and management experience in design, acquisitions, maintenance and reliability improvement of rolling stock equipment. Mr. Kakkar holds bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and Professional Engineering license from Washington, DC.

   Sachit Kakkar is the Deputy Chief Operating Officer – Bus & Rail for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  He is responsible for day-to-day rail operations, maintenance of all rail vehicles, operational safety improvements, fleet reliability improvements, new fleet acquisition and fleet upgrades.

  James Dietz

  Retired, Vehicle Engineering

  James Dietz is a Senior Vice President (mostly retired) for Hatch in Philadelphia and has worked in the passenger rail transportation industry for over 40 years. Dietz spent 10 years working for GE in Erie, Pennsylvania, where he designed propulsion and auxiliary control systems for rail and off-highway vehicles. Subsequent to GE, he has worked for LTK (now part of Hatch) as a senior consultant for many rail procurements including for LIRR, MBTA, NYCT, PATH, and WMATA.  He is a founding member and past Chair of the IEEE Rail Transportation Standards Committee, where he has both led and participated in the development of IEEE rail standards.

If you are planning to attend an Interdisciplinary Professional Programs course, payment is required at the time of registration. Below are the payment options:

Pay by Credit Card

Enroll online and pay by credit card.

• Search for the course on the website and then click on the Enroll Now button from the course webpage.
• Enter all necessary course attendee information and payment information on the course enrollment page.
• You will receive an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Enroll over the phone and pay by credit card.

• Call CERC Registrations at 608-262-2451.
• Provide the registrations representative with:
  • the course name, dates, and/or course number.
  • the necessary course attendee information and payment information.
• You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment payment.

Pay by Check

Mail in a completed registration form and check payable to UW Madison.

• Fill out a registration form (found either in the back of the course brochure you received in the mail or here).
• Prepare a check, made payable to UW Madison.
• Mail the registration form and check to: CERC Registrations 21 N Park St, Ste 7101 Madison, WI 53715
• You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Pay by Purchase Order

• Request Purchase Order information from interpro@union.wisc.edu
  • If a fee quote is needed, contact custserv@interpro.wisc.edu first
• You will receive an invoice from UW–Madison Business Services for payment, usually within 3–5 business days

Military

If using SF-182 form, please call our registration number at 608-262-2451 or email interpro@union.wisc.edu for details and instructions.

Event Cancellation

We reserve the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or unforeseen events. If we cancel a course, participants will be notified via email or phone and will be given the option for a full refund or to transfer their registration and any fees paid to another course. We are not responsible for non-refundable plane tickets, hotel reservations, and other travel related expenses. For enrollee Course Cancellation, refer to notes on course page.

If you cannot attend, please notify us no later than one week before your course begins, and we will refund your fee. Cancellations received after this date and no-shows are subject to a $150 administrative fee. You may enroll a substitute at any time before the course starts.