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Module 1-E

Railway Alignment Design and


Geometry AREMA/FRA Basis
Alignment Examples

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Reference Sources
The tables used in the following examples come
from mixed sources to obtain clearest presentation
of data.
Similar tables can be obtained from the FRA in the
track safety standards.
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/granule/CFR-2011-
title49-vol4/CFR-2011-title49-vol4-part213

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Reference Sources
Additionally CSX, NS, UP, BNSF publish tables in
their Grade Separation Design guidelines or
Industrial sidetrack documents available from their
websites.
http://www.nscorp.com/content/dam/nscorp/ship/shipping-
tools/Public_Projects_Manual.pdf

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References Curve Ea Table 1.5 Eu

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References Curve Ea Table 3 Eu

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References Minimum Spiral Lengths

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References Minimum Element Lengths
Minimum length of any track element - 100 feet
Preferred length of any track element - 3 times the
velocity in mph. Example Track speed 60 mph,
preferred length = 3 X 60 = 180

Note: These guidelines are for educational purposes only, actual requirements vary
drastically between railroads and transit agencies

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Example 1 Allowable Speeds

SC 11+55 C-1 CS 15+00

SP-1 Dc = 2d 15 SP-2
TS 10+00 ST 16+55
Ea = 2

A. How fast can a freight train operate through this segment @ Eu = 1 ? ______
B. How fast can a passenger train operate through this segment @ Eu = 3 ? ______
Note: Round speed to nearest lower multiple of 5 mph.

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Example 1 Answers

SC 11+55 C-1 CS 15+00

SP-1 Dc = 2d 15 SP-2
TS 10+00 ST 16+55
Ea = 2

A. How fast can a freight train operate through this segment @ Eu = 1 ? __50 mph__
B. How fast can a passenger train operate through this segment @ Eu = 3 ? __50 mph__
Note: Round speed to nearest lower multiple of 5 mph.

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Example 1a Solution 1 of 3
A. How fast can a freight train operate through this segment @ Eu = 1 ? __50 mph__
Steps
1. Check the Curves Ea.
Using the Curve Ea Table 1 Eu as shown the following pages
a. Enter the Table with the Dc of 2d 15
b. Drop down to the Ea of 2
c. Read across to the speed 50 mph
d. Round to the nearest lower 5 mph multiple 50 mph

2. Check Spiral #1 Length


Using the Minimum Spiral Length table as shown the following pages
a. Enter the table with the 50 mph and read the runoff in 31 feet
b. 2 runoff @ per 31 feet = (2.5 / 0.5) X 31 feet = 5 X 31 = 155 Minimum
c. SC TS = Spiral Length = Ls = 11+55 10+00 = 1+55 = 155 >= 155 Min. OK @ 50 mph

3. Check Spiral #2 Length


a. Ls = ST CS = 15+55 14+00 = 1+55 = 155 >= 155 Min. OK @ 50 mph

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Example 1a Solution 2 of 3

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Example 1a Solution 3 of 3

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Example 1b Solution 1 of 3
B. How fast can a passenger train operate through this segment @ Eu = 3 ? __50 mph__
Steps
1. Check the Curves Ea.
Using the Curve Ea Table 3 Eu as shown the following pages
a. Enter the Table with the Dc of 2d 15
b. Intersect with the Ea of 2
c. Read across to the speed 59 mph
d. Round to the nearest lower 5 mph multiple 55 mph

2. Check Spiral #1 Length


Using the Minimum Spiral Length table as shown the following pages
a. Enter the table with the 55 mph and read the runoff in 39 feet
b. 2 runoff @ per 39 feet = (2.5 / 0.5) X 39 feet = 5 X 39 = 195 Minimum
c. SC TS = Spiral Length = Ls = 11+55 10+00 = 1+55 = 155 << 195 Min. FAIL
d. Lower Speed to 55 mph and recheck spiral
e. 2 runoff @ per 31 feet = (2.5 / 0.5) X 31 feet = 5 X 31 = 155 Minimum
f. SC TS = Spiral Length = Ls = 11+55 10+00 = 1+55 = 155 >= 155 Min. OK @ 50 mph

3. Check Spiral #2 Length


a. Same as Spiral #1

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Example 1b Solution 2 of 3

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Example 1b Solution 3 of 3

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Example 2 Spiral Manipulations

SC 11+55 C-1 CS 15+00

SP-1 Dc = 2d 15 SP-2
TS 10+00 ST 16+55
Ea = 3

If the spirals on Curve #1 were increased in length to allow a passenger of at least


60 mph, what would the approximate stations of the TS and SC of Spiral #1 be?
TS _____________ SC _______________

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Example 2 Answers

SC 11+55 C-1 CS 15+00

SP-1 Dc = 2d 15 SP-2
TS 10+00 ST 16+55
Ea = 3

If the spirals on Curve #1 were increased in length to allow a passenger of at least


60 mph, what would the approximate stations of the TS and SC of Spiral #1 be?
TS __9+50.5__ SC ____12+04.5____

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Example 2 Solution 1 of 3
What would the approximate stations of the TS and SC of Spiral #1 be?
Steps
1. Check the Curves Ea.
Using the Curve Ea Table 3 Eu as shown the following pages
a. Enter the Table with the Dc of 2d 15
b. Drop down to the Ea of 3
c. Read across to the speed 63 mph
d. Round to the nearest lower 5 mph multiple 60 mph

2. Determine Spiral #1 Length


Using the Minimum Spiral Length table as shown the following pages
a. Enter the table with the 60 mph and read the runoff in 39 feet
b. 3 runoff @ per 39 feet = (3.25 / 0.5) X 39 feet = 6.5 X 39 = 253.5 Minimum, SAY Ls = 254
c. The length of the spiral is split approximately 50/50 around the perpendicular to the center of the circular curve C #1
d. Use existing spiral TS and SC to set approximate location of the perpendicular
i. 11+55 10+00 = 155
ii. 10+00 + (155/2) = 10+00 + 77.5 10+77.5
e. TS 10+77.5 (254/2) = 10+77.5 127 = 9+50.5
f. SC TS + Ls = 9+50.5 + 254 = 12+04.5

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Example 2 Solution 2 of 3

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Example 1b Solution 3 of 3

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Example 3 Element Length Control
CS 25+00
C-1 SP-1
Dc = 2d 15 ST 26+55 C-2
Ea = 3 Dc = 2d 15
Ea = 3
TS 29+30
SP-2
Existing Freight Speed 55 mph SC 30+85

If the spirals on Curves #1 & #2 were increased in length to allow a passenger of at least
60 mph, would the connecting tangent length be adequate for Desirable / Minimum
Criteria?
A. For Freight ___________ / ___________
B. For Passenger ___________ / __________

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Example 3 Answer
CS 25+00
C-1 SP-1
Dc = 2d 15 ST 26+55 C-2
Ea = 3 Dc = 2d 15
Ea = 3
TS 29+30
SP-2
Existing Freight Speed 55 mph SC 30+85

If the spirals on Curves #1 & #2 were increased in length to allow a passenger of at least
60 mph, would the connecting tangent length be adequate for Desirable / Minimum
Criteria?
A. For Freight ____YES____ / _____ YES ___
B. For Passenger ____NO____ / ____ YES ____

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Example 2 Solution 1 of 4
Would the connecting tangent length be adequate for Desirable / Minimum Criteria?
A. For Freight __YES_ /__ YES _ B. For Passenger __ NO___ / ___ YES __
Steps
1. Check the Curves Ea.
Using the Curve Ea Table 3 Eu as shown the following pages
a. Enter the Table with the Dc of 2d 15
b. Drop down to the Ea of 3
c. Read across to the speed 63 mph
d. Round to the nearest lower 5 mph multiple 60 mph

2. Determine Spiral #1 Length


Using the Minimum Spiral Length table as shown the following pages
a. Enter the table with the 60 mph and read the runoff in 39 feet
b. 3 runoff @ per 39 feet = (3.25 / 0.5) X 39 feet = 6.5 X 39 = 253.5 Minimum, SAY Ls = 254
c. The length of the spiral is split approximately 50/50 around the perpendicular to the center of the circular curve C #1
d. Use existing spiral TS and SC to set approximate location of the perpendicular
i. 26+55 25+00 = 155 30+85 29+30 = 155
ii. 25+00 + (155/2) = 25+00 + 77.5 25+77.5 29+30 + (155/2) = 29+30 + 77.5 30+07.5

e. ST1 25+77.5 + (254/2) = 25+77.5 + 127 = 27+04.5


f. TS2 30+07.5 - (254/2) = 30+07.5 - 127 = 28+80.5

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Example 2 Solution 2 of 4
Steps - continued
3. Check the Tangent Length - Freight
Using the Element Length Criteria
a. Desirable Length = 3V = 3(55) = 165
b. Actual Length = 28+80.5 27+04.5 = 176 > 165 OK

4. Check the Tangent Length Passenger


Using the Element Length Criteria
a. Desirable Length = 3V = 3(60) = 180
b. Actual Length = 28+80.5 27+04.5 = 176 < 180 FAIL
c. Minimum Length 176 >> 100 OK

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Example 2 Solution 3 of 4

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Example 1b Solution 4 of 4

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Presentation Author
Michael Loehr
Practice Leader Rail & Transit Americas - Civil
Transportation Business Group
CH2M HILL
8720 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 110
Richmond, VA 23235
Mobile 570.575.4692
Michael.Loehr@ch2m.com

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