BUT prepares railway engineers and pushes the boundaries of modern railroad

Tomorrow, Czechia will commemorate National Railway Day, which train enthusiasts can celebrate this year in Nymburk. Railways have a long tradition in our country, and this is also true at the Brno University of Technology (BUT), where experts from the Institute of Railway Structures and Constructions at the Faculty of Civil Engineering (FCE) are dedicating their time to this topic. In addition to training railway engineers, experts here are involved in the design and analysis of railway structures and, together with companies and the public sector, are helping to shape the modern form of this key industry.

Railway engineering has a tradition at BUT that dates back to the very roots of the university. Today's Institute of Railway Structures and Constructions has become an important center for teaching and research on railway topics, and fundamental work has been done here – for example, on railway superstructure construction and continuous welded rail – which have influenced not only Czech but also European practice. Currently, experts here focus on the design, assessment, and modernization of tracks and structures, from dynamics and stability through monitoring and diagnostics to acoustic-vibration measurements and the use of GIS.

In addition to trains, experts and students at the institute also focus on tramways and subways. "All types of railways present interesting challenges for science and research, and in terms of study, they are similarly demanding," notes head of the institute Otto Plášek, adding that tram tracks are not nearly as standardized as train tracks.

As part of its supplementary activities, the institute also deals with the design and planning of tracks, especially tram tracks. Examples include studies of new tram tracks in the Ostrava region and projects to modernize tram tracks in Brno – for example, Vídeňská Street and the Komárov loop, which have already been implemented.

A degree that opens up the world of railways

FCE students can study this field through compulsory elective courses in several programs. In the bachelor's program, these are the programs Civil Engineering with a specialization in Structures and Transportation Structures and Urban Engineering, and at the master's level in Civil Engineering with a specialization in Structures and Transport Structures and Geodesy and Cartography. The curriculum covers not only railway structures and their impact on the environment, but also modern measurement and modeling techniques for noise and vibration.

The institute also prepares future experts in doctoral studies who analyze and design railway structures and solve current problems, including the growing demand for higher track speeds while reducing maintenance costs.

From the lecture hall straight to the tunnels

An important part of the teaching is field trips. "We consider field teaching to be an important part of the study program, both in terms of professional and social aspects. Students have the opportunity to touch real buildings and structures," explains Plášek. According to him, the contacts and friendships made during field trips often last throughout their professional careers, and some students even return to relive the atmosphere of sharing a place, time, and interests.

Groups take turns visiting Staré Město pod Sněžníkem, Velké Pavlovice, and Budišov nad Budišovkou. All of these locations offer an ideal environment for trying out various methods of geodetic and geotechnical surveying or diagnostics of steel and concrete structures. They also regularly visit interesting transport hubs, companies, and buildings, such as the DT - Výhybkárna a strojírna (Switch and Engineering Works) in Prostějov, the Česká Třebová railway junction, and the Prague Metro, where students learn about stations, tunnels, and the technologies used in their construction during night tours.

Research that moves railways forward

In addition to practical field training, the institute is also intensively involved in scientific research, often collaborating with other faculties and departments at BUT, including the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering (FME), where it works on projects together with Institute of Automation and Informatics, the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication Technologies (FEEC), and the Institute of Forensic Engineering (IFE).

Currently, the institute's research projects focus mainly on the digitization of railway infrastructure. "We work with modern digital technologies for monitoring and controlling the condition of tracks and their components, using advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies," explains Plášek. One example is the HORIZON2020 project with the acronym S-CODE, where experts from BUT, together with other European universities and industrial partners, developed new technologies for railway switches. This project was followed by the Switch 4.0 project, which explored the use of Industry 4.0 technologies.

According to Plášek, another important topic is modern railway stations, especially their accessibility for people with limited orientation and mobility. "Here we can mention the ABONAN project, where our researchers are developing a navigation system for blind passengers in railway stations."

The institute also cooperates with a number of major industrial and construction companies in its research, such as the aforementioned DT - Výhybkárna a strojírna and ŽPSV. "Many other companies, such as OHLA ŽS, Subterra, EGIS, Enteria and SUDOP, are directly involved in teaching, support student excursions and internships, and provide financial donations for various activities," adds Plášek. Students are also involved in research projects at BUT, linking their final theses and dissertations to current topics, and the knowledge they gain becomes part of the teaching.

New tracks, new challenges, a new generation of experts

According to Plášek, railway engineering is preparing for the construction of high-speed tracks, which brings challenges and pitfalls, but also opportunities. Thousands of experts across the Czech Republic will be involved in the project. "The first construction projects are already underway between Brno and Přerov, and others will start within five years, especially in Moravia," he notes, adding that investments in the reconstruction and capacity expansion of conventional lines and railway junctions are continuing at the same time.

A major challenge here is the shortage of primary raw materials for track construction. "This includes, for example, aggregate for track construction. For this reason, work is underway on the use of recycled materials, where, in addition to technical and quality obstacles, legislative issues also need to be addressed. Our experts and students are intensively addressing this topic in their research projects," says Plášek.

Another problem is the shortage of qualified experts, which is linked to the declining interest in technical fields at universities. "We are doing our utmost to promote the field – we cooperate with secondary schools, organize excursions, enable construction and industrial companies to give presentations to students, offer participation in professional and social events, and hold discussions with students about our focus," points out Plášek. According to him, applicants may also find the challenges associated with building high-speed railways interesting, as well as the fact that construction companies usually operate abroad, allowing them to participate in projects in Europe and overseas.

Railway engineering is a high-tech field in which everyone can find their own specialization and career path. Thanks to a combination of theoretical knowledge, practical experience from field trips, and participation in research projects, students have the opportunity to find promising and attractive jobs in the field soon after graduation. "Our graduates quickly attain interesting middle management positions with administrators, design and construction companies, and gradually rise to the positions of high-ranking managers. Some become valued top specialists in various areas of the field," emphasizes Plášek.

With an education from BUT, young railway engineers can not only apply their skills, but also actively help shape the modern and innovative form of railway infrastructure throughout Europe.

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Author	Mgr. Bc. Tereza Walsbergerová, Ph.D.
Published	2025-09-19 09:01
Link	https://www.vut.cz/en/but/f19528/d302635