Electrified Rail Systems Traction Power and Overhead Contact Systems Fundamentals

Introduction to Electrified Transportation Systems

• Modes (Passenger, commuter, heavy & light rail, tram/trolley)
• Traction power system types (alternating & direct current, OCS, contact rail)
• Traction power system components
• Traction electrification system design resources

Overhead Contact System Design

• Project approach
• Design criteria
• Current collectors
• System selection
• Protection and control

Overhead Contact Systems Construction

• Foundations
• Support structures
• Overhead contact system supports
• Messenger and contact wires
• In-span materials

Substations

• Foundations
• Ductbanks
• Building

Overhead Contact System Operation

• Dynamics
• Various systems
• Sectioning
• High speed rail

Overhead Contact System Maintenance

• Inspection items
• Periods

Substation Maintenance

• Inspection Items
• Periods

Overhead Contact System Other Topics

• Maintenance building
• Substation
• Current collectors
• Running rail
• Signal system
• Planning and what gets built
• Project savings

DC Traction Power Substation Design

• Introduction
• Substation types and configurations
• Rectifier transformers
• Rectifiers/converters
• AC and DC switchgear
• Protection and control
• Utility interface

Load Flow Simulation

• Methods
• Vehicle modeling
• Corridor modeling
• Conductor modeling
• Rectifier modeling
• Rail Potential Modeling

DC Traction Power System Grounding

• Equipment and system grounding
• Rail potential
• Negative grounding devices
• Stray current

AC Traction Power System Design

• System types
• Substation types
• Sectionalizing
• Utility interconnection requirements
• Switchgear
• Protection and control
• System and equipment grounding

DC Traction Power Distribution System Design

• Wire and cable current-carrying capacity
• Traction power cable systems
• Contact rail systems
• Raceway systems

Selected Topics in Traction Power System Design

• Substation Automation
• Wayside Energy Storage

• Moises Ramos

  Project Manager II - Engineering

  Moises Ramos, PE, is a Project Manager for HNTB in Denver, CO. With 20 years of specialized experience in the design, construction, inspection, testing, and commissioning of electrification projects, Moises possesses a wealth of knowledge tailored for the unique demands of challenging projects. His expertise extends to overhead contact systems, traction power systems, training, maintenance, and operations. Moises has delivered systems engineering services to prominent entities such as Caltrain, RTD-Denver, Amtrak, SEPTA, MBTA, LA Metro, Trimet, Sound Transit, and DART. His skill set encompasses construction estimating, intricate construction staging, and constructability logistics, acquired through a career that includes being a systems contractor and owner's representative for multiple transit authorities across North America.

• R.W. Benjamin Stell

  Senior Engineer - Traction Power

  Benjamin Stell has 38 years of experience in the planning, design, and construction of railway electrical systems throughout the United States and Canada. His extensive systems planning experience has been complemented by numerous electrified railway design projects performed for Amtrak and diverse rail transportation authorities. These projects have included the design of indoor and outdoor traction power substations and power distribution for alternating current electrified passenger and commuter rail, and for direct current powered heavy and light rail, electric trolleybus, and automated people mover (APM) systems.  Mr. Stell is the current Chair of the IEEE Vehicular Transportation Society’s Traction Power Systems Standards Committee which is developing standards and guide documents for traction power system equipment, design, and operation.  He is a registered Professional Engineer in 13 states and currently works for STV in the Philadelphia PA area as a Senior Traction Power Engineer.

• Carl B. Wessel

  Mr. Wessel is a traction power designer with a civil engineering background and more than 30 years of experience in both engineering, and owner/operator managerial roles in the areas of traction power (TPS) and overhead catenary systems (OCS) design, construction, operations, and maintenance. He has experience working with, and for, public agencies, including Charlotte Area Transportation System (CATS), Metro Transit-Minnesota, Bi-State Development Agency-Missouri, and New Jersey Transit, as well as other various agencies in relation to specific design and construction projects. He has retired from full-time work and continues to do some private consulting, lecturing, and participating in IEEE Standards development.

  He is a volunteer at the National Museum of Transportation at St. Louis, and is in charge of overseeing the Inspection, Operation, Maintenance, and Restoration of the museum's fleet of operational trolley and streetcars. He has developed inspection sheets for each particular car for their yearly inspection prior to operation. He is also the primary instructor on the Philadelphia PCC streetcar, and certifies the operators each year for members who want to operate the car. He also helps in any trackwork and Overhead Trolley Wire work as required. Lastly, he has been involved in the preparation of contract documents for contractors to perform track work and future OCS projects on the museum's grounds. 

• Dave Peterson

  Department Administrator, Program Director

  Dave is the Program Director for the University of Wisconsin–Madison Railroad Engineering and Operations Program. The program consists of 12 courses conducted annually on topics ranging from introduction to railroad engineering and operations to signaling, bridges, crossings, and traction power. He is also the Department Administrator for Interdisciplinary Professional Programs. Dave has a BS in Civil and Environmental Engineering and an MBA from UW–Madison.

• Program Director

  Dave Peterson

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.