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

Electric rail vehicles are intricate systems that require a deep understanding of electrical, mechanical, and control components to function efficiently and safely. This course covers the full lifecycle of rail vehicles—from initial design and procurement to integration, operations, and long-term maintenance. Participants will gain insights into propulsion, braking, power collection, cybersecurity, and regulatory compliance, with a focus on real-world applications and system-wide coordination.

Learning Outcomes:

Describe the core systems of electric rail vehicles and how they interact, including propulsion, braking, and control.
Develop a fleet procurement and integration plan that addresses design validation, testing, and cybersecurity.
Identify key maintenance strategies and regulatory requirements for ensuring long-term vehicle performance and safety.

Who Should Attend:

Transit engineers, operations personnel, and maintenance staff working in light rail, heavy rail, and commuter rail systems.
Federal and state regulators, consultants, and administrators involved in rail system oversight and planning.
Equipment manufacturers, systems suppliers, and project managers engaged in rail vehicle design and integration.

Course Details: RA01521-E282

Course Outline

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

Course Schedule

Course Notes

This is a live online course that uses the Zoom and Canvas platforms. The 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 instructional materials, participation certificates, and course evaluations will be available to all students through the Canvas course site.

The course materials are all digital and only available on the Canvas course website.

Online attendees will access sessions via the Zoom web conferencing platform. The Zoom link will be provided a few days before the course.

Please watch your registration email (including spam/junk folders) for updates from a “wisc.edu” address.

Instructors and Program Director

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.
Program Director
Dave Peterson

Total Credits:

CEU 1.4,

PDH 14,

Course Administration

Fee Information

Online attendance fee includes online instruction and course materials.

Payment Options

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 registration@cerc.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 registration@cerc.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.

Cancellation Policy

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. Once you have accessed the online course, exam and/or materials, no cancellations or refunds are permitted.

Create a custom learning experience

We can deliver this course as an on-site learning experience tailored to your organization’s specific training needs.