Event Calendar
Past Event
NUTC Seminar Series: "Leveraging Track Geometry Data, Laser Triangulation Track Heath Data, and Deep Neural Networks (DNNs) for Railway Track Condition Assessment" | Riley Edwards, UIUC
Northwestern University Transportation Center
4:00 PM
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Lower Level - Ruan Conference Center, Chambers Hall
Details

Abstract:
The railroad track system and its components are a critical transportation asset that is responsible for transmitting rolling stock wheel loads to the roadbed. To ensure safe and efficient operations, railroads perform frequent track inspections, some of which generate substantial amounts of track health data. Furthermore, with the rise of data science tools and machine learning methods, the potential for these data to move maintenance and safety towards more robust analysis is possible. This presentation will provide an overview of track assessment tools and data requirements. Results from multiple track geometry and heath assessment systems will be presented to show the relationship between the change of track geometry and track component condition for different types of track locations, such as curved and tangent track segments. Results show non-intuitive correlations between track geometry, degradation of track component health, and the initial condition of the track within a given maintenance interval. Findings have the potential to improve maintenance effectiveness and prioritization and provide a method for quantifying track degradation rates under different operating conditions and maintenance scenarios. These outputs fill a criticalresearch need and encourage further development of a mechanistic-empirical approach to railway track system design and analysis.
Bio:
J. Riley Edwards, Ph.D., P.E., is an Assistant Professor in the Rail Transportation and Engineering Center (RailTEC) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Heobtained his Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Vanderbilt University, and his MS and PhD in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. His research interests are railway infrastructure track system and component design and performance and failure modes associated with infrastructure components. Dr. Edwards has published over 100 conference proceedings and over 70 journal articles related to the design, analysis, performance, and failure modes of railway infrastructure and its components. Riley also serves as the Deputy Associate Director for the National University Rail Center of Excellence, a US DOT transportation center funded by the Federal Railroad Administration.
Time
Thursday, October 10, 2024 at 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Location
Lower Level - Ruan Conference Center, Chambers Hall Map
Contact
Calendar
Northwestern University Transportation Center
Welcome & Breakfast for New McCormick PhD Students
McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science
9:00 AM
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LR2 & Tech East Plaza, Technological Institute
Details
Enjoy a welcome from Dean Christopher A. Schuh and other McCormick leaders, and receive a Northwestern Engineering T-shirt. A free light breakfast on the Tech East Plaza will follow.
Time
Monday, September 8, 2025 at 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Location
LR2 & Tech East Plaza, Technological Institute Map
Contact
Calendar
McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science
New Undergraduate Fall 2025 Registration
University Academic Calendar
All Day
Details
New Undergraduate Fall 2025 Registration
Time
Friday, September 12, 2025
Contact
Calendar
University Academic Calendar
Welcome & Luncheon for New Full-time Graduate Students
McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science
11:00 AM
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Ryan Auditorium & Tech East Plaza, Technological Institute
Details
Enjoy a welcome from Dean Christopher A. Schuh and other McCormick leaders, and receive a Northwestern Engineering T-shirt. A free lunch on the Tech East Plaza will follow.
Time
Monday, September 15, 2025 at 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Location
Ryan Auditorium & Tech East Plaza, Technological Institute Map
Contact
Calendar
McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science
Fall Classes Begin. Change of Registration (Drop/Add) Late registration for returning students begins
University Academic Calendar
All Day
Details
Fall Classes Begin. Change of Registration (Drop/Add) Late registration for returning students begins
Time
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Contact
Calendar
University Academic Calendar