Course Title: Electrical Transport Engineering

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Electrical Transport Engineering

Credit Points: 12.00


Course Coordinator: Professor Grahame Holmes

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 3874

Course Coordinator Email: grahame.holmes@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 10.07.01


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

EEET2274 Electrical Energy Conversion or equivalent studies. To successfully complete this course, you should be proficient at DC and AC circuit analysis, and be familiar with elementary power electronic conversion and electrical motors (EEET2263).


Course Description

This course will introduce you to the fundamental principles of electrical technology employed in electrified transportation systems. You will learn about the power electronic conversion systems employed in traction equipment, the primary traction motion control systems, auxiliary coach services, trackside power supplies, and trackside monitoring and control systems.

Please note that if you take this course for a bachelor honours program, your overall mark in this course will be one of the course marks that will be used to calculate the weighted average mark (WAM) that will determine your award level. (This applies to students who commence enrolment in a bachelor honours program from 1 January 2016 onwards. See the WAM information web page for more information (www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=eyj5c0mo77631).


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

At undergraduate level this course develops the following Program Learning Outcomes:

1.3 In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline.

2.1 Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving.

2.2 Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources

At postgraduate level this course develops the following Program Learning Outcomes:

• High levels of technical competence in the field
• Be able to apply problem solving approaches to work challenges and make decisions using sound engineering methodologies


At the conclusion of the course you will be able to:

  • Specify requirements for electrical transportation rolling stock and trackside equipment.
  • Select between alternative equipment for electrical transportation systems.
  • Select between auxiliary coach service equipment for various applications.
  • Design trackside monitoring and control systems.


Overview of Learning Activities

This course provides you with a number of learning opportunities:

  • Weekly lectures will guide you to important concepts and underlying principles of electrical technology for the transportation sector.
  • Weekly tutorial classes will allow you to attempt a range of problems, and receive feedback on solution strategies.
  • The laboratory classes will allow you to develop simulation and experimental electrical transport equipment.
  • The assignments provide an opportunity to acquire skills in solving practical electrified transportation problems.
  • The course resources (accessible from the Web) have additional references and links for you to reference and expand your knowledge of the topics covered.


Overview of Learning Resources

The learning resources for this course include:

  • Lecture Notes prepared by the teaching staff.
  • Tutorial problems prepared by the teaching staff.
  • Recommended reference books: See the course guide Part B available at the start of classes for the list of references.
  • Laboratory equipment and simulation software is made available to students during allocated laboratory classes. See the course guide Part B for more details.
  • Course content will be made available on-line.


Overview of Assessment

The assessment tasks for this course consist of laboratory exercises, assignments, tests and a final examination. A range of laboratory exercises will be conducted, encompassing simulation and experimental studies, allowing you to develop all of the above listed capabilities. The tests and final examination will particularly assess your technical analysis, design and problem solving capabilities.