Rail Infrastructure Program

Program Purpose & Content

Capturing the knowledge and expertise of civil infrastructure engineers working in the Australian rail industry, the course is provided as a professional development program for people working or commencing their work in the railway industry. Graduates will gain skills and knowledge in a range of areas related to the design, construction, maintenance and management of railway infrastructure. The degree offers both theoretical understanding and practical applications of advance professional practice.

Study Mode

The course is delivered via flexible on-line learning suitable for mature age students studying part-time and working full time. There are no on-campus classes, so you could complete the course from any location world wide. You will study using a combination of on-line, CD and printed materials and submit assignments for assessment. You could choose an early exit from the program with Graduate Certificate after completion of three units or undertake a study of a selected unit.

Entry requirements

Entry to this course is open to employees of companies conducting business in the railway industry and whose employee is prepared to sponsor or support their study. You also need a four-year bachelor degree in a civil engineering related field or a three-year full time diploma with the average 5.0 grade out of 7 in that study plus three or more years of relevant professional experience in the railway industry.

Times and dates of study:

The program is delivered over two terms per year with terms commencing in February and July. Please refer to Queensland University of Technology for details.

Course Modules and Structure

Master of Engineering (Railway Infrastructure)

Ballast, Sleepers and Fasteners (UDN500)

As a rail civil engineer you need to have a sound knowledge and clear understanding of the behaviour of rail track components. The ballast and sleepers on which the rails rest are critical in supporting the safe passing of trains at speed over the track. A large proportion of maintenance expenditure by track owners arises because of fouled or poorly drained ballast or from sleeper replacement. Delays in train schedules, track closures and derailment could be caused by problems in the track. This unit focuses on the foundations of an efficient and safe track asset network.

Rail and Related Track Structures (UDN501)

This unit will help you to develop your knowledge of the characteristics of rails and principles of the selection and maintenance of rails and apply it towards the safe operation of trains; you will also be able to describe the operation of rail related track structures and determine their maintenance requirements.

Track Stability, Design and Formation (UDN502)

This unit will help you to explain and apply the geo-technology theory as it refers to the rail permanent way and track substructures, undertake an economic assessment of the selection of track structures, evaluate and mitigate the likelihood of track instability, and undertake a first order track design by applying track design processes and theories incorporating the effect of individual parameters.

Track Geometry and Train Interaction (UDN503)

This unit will help you to assess the significance of geometry imperfections in track and deduce appropriate remedial measures, describe the physical characteristics and key elements of track and vehicles insofar as they affect track - train interaction, explain the theoretical bases for development of wheel-rail forces and the influence of vehicle and track parameters on those forces, and assess the impact of design parameters for and deterioration processes within wheels and track on the operation of trains.

Track Construction, Civil Structures (UDN504)

This unit will help you to contribute to the management of track construction projects, recommending appropriate construction methodologies and monitoring tools, describe and assess the maintenance needs of civil structures within the rail corridor, and investigate, evaluate and mitigate the risks of geotechnical hazards in the corridor.

Assets, Environment and Safety (UDN505)

This unit will help you to apply appropriate tools, concepts and life cycle evaluations to the management of railway infrastructure assets at an introductory level, assess and monitor the parameters associated with safe operation of the rail corridor and its interfaces with the rail track, and evaluate environmental assessment plans and their implementations with respect to operations and construction within the rail corridor.

Integrated Project Elective (BEZ910)

The aim of this unit is to provide you with research skills that acknowledge prior learning and that can develop further through an authentic learning project of relevance to your career aspirations and to your employer.