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

Event Dates/Times:

• 10/21/2025  8:30am - 5:00pm Central Time
• 10/22/2025  8:30am - 5:00pm Central Time
• 10/23/2025  8:30am - 12:00pm Central Time

This is a HyFlex (in-person and online) taught course. Your registration is for one teaching platform only: in-person or online. Please be prepared to attend all days either in-person or online. Contact us before registering if you have any questions. 

Registration confirmation will guide students through accessing the Canvas course site.

Students will create and log in to the Canvas course site with a NetID. Course assets such as participation certificates and course evaluations will be available to all students through the Canvas course site.

Online attendees will access course sessions via the Zoom web conferencing platform. 

• Program Director

  Dave Peterson

• Instructors

  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.

• Instructors

  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.

  Mohammad Saif

  Senior Project Engineer - Traction Power

  Mr. Saif is a senior traction power engineer with a comprehensive electrical engineering background in the rail transportation industry. With over a decade of experience, he has successfully contributed to diverse projects, including traction power substations, distribution systems, subway station rehabilitation, lighting  systems, fire alarms, and control systems. This work has included facility assessments, feasibility studies, bridging document development, demand load analysis, stray current testing, transit system simulation modeling, design and construction support services. 

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.
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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.
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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).
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• Mail the registration form and check to: CERC Registrations 21 N Park St, Ste 7101 Madison, WI 53715
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Pay by Purchase Order

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  • 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.