Railroad Services
Railroad transportation is the backbone of commodity transport throughout the US and a key infrastructure system for our economy. EMH&T’s rail professionals are experienced in designing rail systems that operate effectively and efficiently. As a trusted partner to the rail industry, EMH&T provides planning, design and program management of rail infrastructure.
EMH&T’s portfolio is built on the design of mainline and siding projects, yards and terminals, and industrial sidetracks. We have extensive experience in designing rail facilities for the transport and transfer of commodities such as chemicals and fertilizer, metals, building materials, agricultural products, food, automotive, paper, and intermodal. Our services include corridor selection; environmental planning, assessments and permitting; design of track, bridges, earthwork, and civil works; project and construction management. We understand rail operations and safety requirements which are incorporated into every project.
We know rail, and we bring experience and innovation to each project we undertake. Our engineers’ experience in track construction and maintenance allows us to value-engineer projects to balance cost savings with consideration for long term performance. Rail projects often involve more than just trackwork, and EMH&T brings more than rail engineers. We are a full-service consulting firm able to design every aspect of a project including site design, grading, roadways, traffic impact studies, utilities, stormwater management, and environmental services including SPCC compliance. The multi-disciplined team works seamlessly to take your project from conceptual planning to completion.
The extensive design experience outlined below is complemented by a team practiced in working with our clients to develop rail projects that meet their operational and economic requirements.
Yards and Terminals
EMH&T has provided analysis and design for yards and terminals throughout the Midwest, Northeast, Southeast and Eastern Canada. We are relied upon for design of: track, intermodal infrastructure including rail-mounted gantry cranes, process areas, chassis and container storage areas, and gates, and access roads as well as related infrastructure including administration buildings, maintenance facilities, locomotive and vehicle fueling facilities, and storm water management facilities. EMH&T designed one of the first inland applications of wide-span cranes at an intermodal facility in the US.
EMH&T brings the full complement of comprehensive site development disciplines including site civil engineering, environmental engineering, transportation and traffic engineering, landscape architecture, environmental sciences and surveying to each yard and terminal development project. The team is focused on designing facility upgrades that promote efficiency and practicality in operations. EMH&T engineers are thoroughly familiar with equipment specifications and operational requirements.
EMH&T rail experts provide our clients with the planning required for intermodal terminal projects, including track rehabilitation, expansion, and new track design to improve effective container loading and unloading, crane operations and peaking factors. EMH&T planning considers:
- * Physical layout/design of the facility including location of administration and maintenance buildings, entry/exit gate, rail tower, etc.
- * Development and maintenance costs of facility layouts
- * Truck chassis storage and handling
- * Phased construction to maintain operations
EMH&T transportation and traffic engineers provide analysis and forecasting for intermodal terminal access and evaluate the impact of increased traffic/congestion on mobility including dedicated truck lane systems for proposed terminal ingress and egress. Utilizing video simulations, our traffic professionals evaluate terminal gates to carefully consider the number of lanes, processing stations, and queue lengths, for economic and efficient processing at both the entry and exit.
Mainline, Siding and Lead Tracks
EMH&T engineers are experienced at designing mainline, siding and lead track projects in support of new industrial and terminal developments and capacity improvement projects throughout North America. Our staff utilizes the latest Bentley Power Rail and MicroStation software to deliver designs in a format compatible with the requirements of Class 1 railroads. We evaluate alternatives for track projects based upon operational considerations, safety, environmental and waterway constraints, impacts to adjacent land owners, and economics to arrive at a preferred alternative for final design. Cost estimating of alternatives throughout the design process is paramount to staying within project budgets and making informed decisions. We understand each railroad’s unique requirements and apply them to every project, integrating the railroad’s engineering personnel into the project team to assure successful completion.
Industrial Sidetracks
EMH&T offers complete rail-served site development services including the design of industrial sidetracks. Whether it’s an industrial park or a single rail-served warehouse, we can handle all aspects of site development from conceptual planning to detailed design. Even though rail can be a small component of an overall project, our team of experienced engineers understands that rail is critical to your facility and that it must be properly planned for from the beginning. As part of our due diligence, we will evaluate a site to identify constraints that may adversely affect rail service such as track geometry, building size/location, grades, drainage, environmental issues, and utilities. We understand rail operations and will work closely with the serving railroad to develop economical track designs meeting your requirements based upon railroad switching schedules. Our expertise and knowledge of railroad design specifications allows us to prepare track construction plans that quickly receive railroad approval.
Material Procurement, Construction Management and Inspection Services
EMH&T can provide material procurement for any project to assist the client with controlling costs and keeping projects within budget. We are experienced at preparing bid documentation for projects, and analyze bids for compliance with specifications. Our construction management team can manage every aspect of the project including grading, drainage, roadways, buildings, and track construction. We offer track inspection services to assure compliance with railroad and FRA safety requirement, and can prepare and administer track maintenance programs.
NextGenerationGreen™
EMH&T’s NextGenerationGreen™ program leads the way in sustainable applications for industrial park and intermodal terminal design throughout the country. Our LEED-accredited professionals will work with you to best design a rail-served facility to incorporate on-site sustainable solutions that maximize your business objectives, while bringing the benefit of green considerations. Sustainable solutions include water quality best management practices for stormwater management, low energy lighting techniques, efficient vehicle cueing for low/no idle environments, use of recycled materials, and specialized pavement applications. EMH&T’s comprehensive approach to Green solutions that make business sense has led to their adoption and implementation through standards and specifications for a Class 1 railroad.
Environmental Planning and Permit Acquisition
EMH&T’s environmental scientists and engineers are considered national leaders in the area of environmental stewardship associated with planned/mindful development. The team maintains strong relationship with state, federal and Army Corp of Engineers jurisdictions and has a track record of 100% permit success. Through their dedicated efforts, our clients are assured compliance with grant requirements and local, state, and federal regulations. Without a need to outsource this key service, we offer our clients a streamlined and cost efficient approach to water resource ecology, wetland mitigation and restoration, stream restoration and relocation, stormwater management BMPs and construction soil and erosion control methodologies. EMH&T environmental professionals work hand in hand with our rail and site development engineers to full assess the characteristics of each site and customize an approach to permitting that will facilitate maintenance of schedule and budget for the critical project.
