Railroad Survey

Rail Road Survey

Written By:

Isis Y. Rosado Vazquez

Javier E. Osorio Carrasquillo

Agustin QuiÐ"±Ð"Ñ-nez Camacho

Oscar D. VÐ"ÐŽzquez VÐ"ÐŽzquez

University of Puerto Rico MayagÐ"јez Campus, Puerto Rico

Table of Contents

I. Information about the University of Puerto Rico team Members

II. Abstract

III. History of the Railroad

IV. Railroad Types and Variants

V. Geometric Design

VI. Vertical Geometric Design

VII. Modern Design

VIII. Bibliography

Isis Y. Rosado VÐ"ÐŽzquez

Isis is actively involved in the Surveyors Institute Student Chapter of Puerto Rico (CEIA) and The American Society of Civil Engineer Student Chapter (ASCE). Isis likes helping other students in math and surveyor's courses. Isis works with GPS, differential level, topographic and planimetric survey under professor supervision. Isis is currently doing two Bachelors one in surveying program and Civil Engineering program. After graduation, she plans to do a master degree in Construction Management.

Javier E. Osorio Carrasquillo

Javier is actively involved in the Surveyors Institute Student Chapter of Puerto Rico (CEIA). Javier is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers student chapter. Javier is involved in many social and cultural activities in and off Campus. Javier is currently working in the redevelopment of the Urban Center of MayagÐ"јez municipality as part of a class special project. Javier is currently in his senior year of Civil Engineering program and has taken some courses in the Surveying area. After graduation, he plans to pursue his professional license and continue his studies in the Geotechnical Engineering area.

Agustin Quinones Camacho

Agustin is active member in the Surveyors Institute Student Chapter of Puerto Rico (CEIA) in which he participates in charity activities. Agustin attended activities related to the College of Engineer and Surveyors of Puerto Rico. Agustin in involved in promoting the Surveying Program throughout social, educational and cultural activities. Agustin is currently in his junior year of the Surveying Program. After graduation, he plans to obtain his professional surveying license, work as surveyor and pursue to obtain a master degree in surveying.

Oscar D. VÐ"ÐŽzquez VÐ"ÐŽzquez

Oscar is actively involved in the Surveyors Institute Student Chapter of Puerto Rico (CEIA) and The American Society of Civil Engineer Student Chapter (ASCE). Oscar enjoys helping other student to enhance their knowledge in the engineer and surveyors fields. Oscar is currently in his senior year in the Civil Engineering program and in the Surveying Program. Oscar is working on the redevelopment of the Urban Center of MayagÐ"јez as part of a class special project. During, the summer, he plans to attend to the internship of the U.S. Corp of Engineers in the Topographic Engineering program.

ABSTRACT

It is impressing to watch the evolution human beings and their ways of life. Trains have significantly contributed to the development of many civilizations having an impact in their economies as well as their environment, reducing air pollution, and noises. Throughout the years, the development of locomotives has been significant and it is a very important area for Surveying around the world. It is fundamental for the surveyor to know railroad history and all the important elements of its development. This paper discusses the historical background of the railroad, the different types of trains, and its development around the world including Puerto Rico. We will discuss differences in railroad geometric designs comparing them to the highway designs, and their safety criteria. In addition, we will go over different types of trains from conventional to the most modern designs, emphasizing their dramatic and constant evolution.

History of the Railroad

A railroad, in the general sense of the term, is defined as the land transport system guided over steel rails that make up the road, or railway where the trains will travel. Its development happened in the first half of the 19th century as part of the Industrial Revolution, causing a complete transformation of society by allowing the transportation of people and merchandise at a low price, and in a regular and safe manner.

In 1769, the French Nicolas Cugnot built a steam car (fardier), which consisted of a steam machine over a three-wheeled car (Figure 1). There were many unsuccessful attempts during the first stages of railroad development.

It wasn't until Richard Trevihick, a young mining engineer from Cornwall, in the 1790's developed a pair of small locomotive models in his workshop. Trevihick, finished his first large steam car between 1801 and 1804; it was a huge steel box over wheels with an inside chimney at the center with seats around it for the travelers. This became the first locomotive, which covered 9 1/2 miles in four hours and five minutes. During the railroad development, George Stephenson carried out studies and research with his son about steam locomotive traction; today he is considered the father of the modern railroad for his results.

Railroad Types and Variants

Rack Railroad

In 1862, the Swiss Niklaus Riggenbach invented the rack railroad designed to roll through tracks with slopes over 6%. To build it, he was inspired by the system of the englishman, John Blekinsop. The 1862 Blekinsop machine, a common non-tubular boiler machine, is a locomotive for merchandise trains that travels at a reduced velocity and also runs on rack-ways. The rack-railroad that climbs up the steepest slope (47%) is located at Mount Pilatus in Switzerland.

The Monorail

The first monorail was built in Ireland in 1889. It consists of vehicles that run through a rail platform, or beams, usually elevated above the surface. There are