Now in its 29th year, the Wheel/Rail Interaction Conference (WRI '24) will be held in Chicago, IL, the site of the very first conference in 1994. The Wheel Rail Interaction Conference is designed to inform and educate professionals who work for railroads, transit agencies, contractors, government regulators, researchers, and consulting firms. The conference focuses on the complex and critical interaction between the wheel and the rail (vehicle/track).
WRI '24 conference is three freestanding seminars: The Rail Transit Seminar on May 21, the Principles of Wheel/Rail Interaction on May 22 and the Heavy Haul Seminar on May 23-24, 2024. We welcome back our Presenting Sponsor for the Rail Transit Seminar - Mass Transit Magazine and welcome for the very first time, our new Presenting Sponsor for the Heavy Haul Seminar - Railway Track & Structures (RT&S).
The Wheel Rail Interaction Conference is a dynamic event that continually seeks to inspire learning and innovation. By attending, you will earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs) toward fulfilling your annual Professional Engineering (PE or P.Eng) requirements.
Hear from industry leading experts on the latest information on new and existing technology and how it's used to improve wheel/rail & vehicle/track interaction on freight, light rail & metro systems.
WRI offers a unique platform for fostering meaningful connections and creating lasting impressions. The opportunities for knowledge exchange, identifying new prospects, and enhancing visibility make WRI a great place for professional growth and industry influence.
The ExpoZone is a strategically designed space within the WRI conference venue that serves as a prime location for sponsors to showcase their brands to a highly engaged and diverse audience.
Learn how to become a sponsor [PDF]
Our InfoZone partners offer high-quality technical information on wheel/rail interaction. These sessions are built into the Heavy Haul Seminar program and designed for small group interaction.
Visit the InfoZone page!
Attend one, two or all three seminars.
12:30pm
Depart Chicago Loews O'Hare Hotel1:00pm
Arrive at Skokie Shops2:00pm
Leave Skokie Shops2:30pm
Arrive at Ardmore for RPM tour4:30pm
Depart for return ride to Chicago Loews O'Hare HotelsOn-Site Registration
- CDT
Breakfast in the ExpoZone
- CDT
Welcome and Introductory Remarks
- CDT
A Technical Analysis of Rail Grinding and Milling
- CDT
Wheel-Rail Dynamics and Performance of Vehicles with Steerable Bogies at Vancouver Skytrain
- CDT
Corrective Rail Grinding on Cleveland RTA’s Red Line
- CDT
Presentation of the annual Worth Award
- CDT
Rail Corrugation: A Problem Solved?
- CDT
Lunch in the ExpoZone
- CDT
Practical Issues Relating to the Implementation of Friction Management Systems
- CDT
Focus topic: Wheel/Rail Interaction and Vehicle Design
- CDT
Developing Wheel/Rail Interaction Study requirements for a new Light Rail Vehicle Contract in North America
- CDT
Vehicle Design — Simulation Methods Using Measured Track Datasets
- CDT
In-Service Monitoring of Wheel Wear to Determine Critical Factors and Optimize Maintenance Strategies
- CDT
A Case Study: Analysis of Ground Vibrations Produced by LRVs
- CDT
Closing Remarks
- CDT
Rail Transit Reception in the ExpoZone
- CDT
On-Site Registration
- CDT
Breakfast in the ExpoZone
- CDT
Welcome and Introductory Remarks
- CDT
A Technical Analysis of Rail Grinding and Milling
- CDT
Wheel-Rail Dynamics and Performance of Vehicles with Steerable Bogies at Vancouver Skytrain
- CDT
Corrective Rail Grinding on Cleveland RTA’s Red Line
- CDT
Presentation of the annual Worth Award
- CDT
Rail Corrugation: A Problem Solved?
- CDT
Lunch in the ExpoZone
- CDT
Practical Issues Relating to the Implementation of Friction Management Systems
- CDT
Focus topic: Wheel/Rail Interaction and Vehicle Design
- CDT
Developing Wheel/Rail Interaction Study requirements for a new Light Rail Vehicle Contract in North America
- CDT
Vehicle Design — Simulation Methods Using Measured Track Datasets
- CDT
In-Service Monitoring of Wheel Wear to Determine Critical Factors and Optimize Maintenance Strategies
- CDT
A Case Study: Analysis of Ground Vibrations Produced by LRVs
- CDT
Closing Remarks
- CDT
Rail Transit Reception in the ExpoZone
- CDT
On-Site Registration - Loews Chicago O'Hare Hotel
- CDT
Breakfast in the ExpoZone
- CDT
Welcome and Introductory Remarks
- CDT
Introduction to the Principles of Wheel/Rail Interaction
- CDT
Introduction to Wheel/Rail Contact Mechanics
- CDT
Track Structures and Components
- CDT
Vehicle Types, Suspensions and Components
- CDT
Vehicle/Track Interaction and Dynamics
- CDT
Lunch in the ExpoZone
- CDT
Fundamentals of Wheel/Rail Noise and Vibration
- CDT
Wheel/Rail Damage Mechanisms
- CDT
Principles of Wheel/Rail Friction Management
- CDT
Vehicle/Track Measurement Technologies
- CDT
Principles Course Recap
- CDT
Closing Remarks
- CDT
Heavy Haul Welcome Reception
- CDT
On-Site Registration - Loews Chicago O'Hare Hotel
- CDT
Breakfast in the ExpoZone
- CDT
Welcome and Introductory Remarks
- CDT
Introduction: Recipient of the annual Worth Award
- CDT
Longitudinal Forces Directed into the Wheel Rail Interface
- CDT
InfoZone Session 1
- CDT
InfoZone Session 2
- CDT
Track Geometry: Quality vs. Performance?
- CDT
The Intersection of Culture and Technology Implementation
- CDT
Lunch in the ExpoZone
- CDT
Case study: A Derailment Investigation — Was the Right Cause Found?
- CDT
InfoZone Session 3
- CDT
InfoZone Session 4
- CDT
Examining the Role of Wheel/Rail Interaction in a Unit Train Derailment
- CDT
Current Status and Trends in Track Caused Derailments with Emphasis on Causes Related to the Wheel/Rail Interface
- CDT
Closing Remarks
- CDT
Grand Buffet Reception
- CDT
On-Site Registration - Loews Chicago O'Hare Hotel
- CDT
Breakfast in the ExpoZone
- CDT
Welcome and Introductory Remarks
- CDT
Derailment Modeling & Simulation
- CDT
InfoZone Session 5
- CDT
InfoZone - Open House
- CDT
Latest Developments in Understanding Track Alignment & Rate of Change
- CDT
Reducing The Number of Non-Testable Surface-Initiated Rail Defects Through Dedicated Rail Grinding
- CDT
Lunch in the ExpoZone
- CDT
Overview: Observations on the effectiveness of various grinding programs
- CDT
Implementing, Sustaining and Validating Effective Friction Management in Heavy Haul
- CDT
Closing Remarks
- CDT
InfoZone raffle
- CDT
End of the Line Reception
- CDT
Employee Pricing is designed for direct, full time employees of qualifying railroads, transit agencies and government agencies. (You must be paid directly from a railroad, transit agency or government agency and receive a W-2 or similar). No Contractors are eligible for Employee Pricing.
Employees registering for more than one event will receive special Multi-Event Discounts.
May 21, 2024
May 22, 2024
May 23 - 24, 2024
May 21 - 22, 2024
May 22-24, 2024
May 21 - 24, 2024
Professional Pricing is for suppliers, contractors, consultants and others who are not an employee of a railroad, transit agency or government agency.
Professionals registering for more than one event will receive special Multi-Event Discounts.
May 21, 2024
May 22, 2024
May 23 - 24, 2024
May 21 - 22, 2024
May 22 - 24, 2024
May 21 - 24, 2024
All attendees are eligible for the following virtual pricing.
Attendees registering for more than one event will receive special Multi-Event Discounts.
May 21, 2024
May 22, 2024
May 23 - 24, 2024
May 21 - 22, 2024
May 22 - 24, 2024
May 21 - 24, 2024
Interface journal is devoted to examining issues associated with wheel/rail interaction and ways in which technology is being used to resolve them on railroads and transit systems around the world.
Rolling contact fatigue (RCF) affects railroads and transit systems globally. The effects of RCF damage range from poor ride quality and excessive noise, to shelling and spalling so deep and widespread that rail sections must be replaced. Over time, the railroad and transit industries have developed tools to detect and measure RCF and a suite of techniques to mitigate it… [continued]
Since 1993, Wheel Rail Seminars (WRS) has produced the Wheel/Rail Interaction Conference (WRI). Over the many years, the conference has become synonymous with high quality, practical presentations and the very best in networking. Visit the new website.
Gary Wolf, president of Wolf Railway Consulting, is the recipient of the 2023 Worth Award. The award, presented by Wheel Rail Seminars at the annual Wheel/Rail Interaction conference in June, is named for Art Worth, who was Manager of Standards and retired as Senior Manager – Advanced Technology at Canadian National. View the story (PDF).
You can use Loews Chicago O'Hare Hotel's secure online reservation system to book, modify or cancel your reservation here.
Our Discounted Room Rate is $199.00 per night.
Reservations must be received on or before the cut-off date of Monday, April 29, 2024. Once our room block is full, you may not be able to receive our special rate.
If you require additional reservations assistance, you may contact the hotel reservation department at 1-847-544-5300 and refer to the group by name: Wheel Rail Interaction Conference 2024.
Hotel reservations requires a credit card guarantee to secure your room reservation. Should you need to cancel your reservation, reservations must be canceled a minimum of 48 hours prior to arrival, 5PM hotel time, to avoid a one night cancellation penalty.
You will receive your hotel confirmation email directly from the hotel.
Reservation must be cancelled by 5:00pm, local hotel time, two days prior to arrival date. Failure to cancel by 5:00pm, 48 hours prior will result in the loss of one night's room and tax on your credit card.
