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LAURENCE E. DANIELS, P.E.
Railroad Consulting Engineer
Principal, L.E. Daniels Transportation Engineering
Years of Experience
32
Education
B.S., Mechanical Engineering, University of Santa Clara, 1970
Short courses in Finite Element Analysis, Rail Vehicle Mechanics, Non-Destructive Testing, and
Technical Writing
Professional Affiliations
American Railway Engineering Association: Committee 5, Track’; Committee 12, Transit;
Committee 17, High Speed Rail.
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Transportation Research Board Committees (Track, Rail Transit)
Professional Registration
California, Mechanical Engineering
Key Qualifications
Larry Daniels has extensive experience in design, research, management and field supervision of
domestic and international track and railway systems.
Engineering accomplishments include responsible track designer for North American and
international transit systems and freight railroads. He has designed railway track for freight
(Western Pacific Railroad, various railroads and mineral firms in the Powder River Basin), transit
(Singapore, Portland, Baltimore) and joint use railways (Kowloon Canton Railway).
Mr. Daniels is credited with domestic and international publications on rail corrugations, track
degradation, cross ties, track fasteners, and maglev system dynamics research. Research
experience includes responsibility for all track research at the Pueblo, Colorado Transportation
Technology Center, and, later, research for the Federal agencies on rail corrugations, maglev
system dynamics, direct fixation fasteners and light rail transit.
He has managed transit track construction and has consulted in the maintenance of heavy and
light rail transit.
Mr. Daniels is actively involved in industry committees, responsible for committee work to develop
industry guidelines for track components, design and maintenance. He co-authored track design
guidelines: Direct Fixation Track Design (Battelle, under contract to the Transportation
Cooperative Research Program [TRB affiliate], released January 2000). He participated in
development of the publication of Light Rail Track Design Guidelines (PBQ&D, under contract to
the Transportation Cooperative Research Program [TRB affilitate], released March 2000).
He has managed the track standards, maintenance planning, and system track procurement
(including QA/QC) for a Class I railroad.
4222 Curragh Oaks Lane Phone: 9169659435
Fair Oaks, CA 95628-6604 FAX: 9169655109
Email: LEDaniels@TrackEngineer.com Cell: 9168019435
Page - 2 LAURENCE E. DANIELS
Mr. Daniels established his private practice in 1994, serving major engineering firms (Parsons
Brinckerhoff, Frederic R. Harris, International Bechtel, Inc., Carter & Burgess, Inc.), research
institutions (Association of American Railroads, Battelle Laboratories). Transit Agencies and
Commuter Rail Agencies and Federal Agencies in the research, design and construction of
railroads.
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Research
Transportation Research Board: Project: TCRP D-5, “Performance of Direct Fixation
Track Structures.” Co-author. Provides technical design guidelines and engineering
methods for Direct Fixation fasteners and Direct Fixation track design. Subcontract to
st
Battelle. Contact: J.M. Tuten, Futrex. Published 1 Quarter, 2000.
Transportation Research Board: Project TCRP D-6, “Track Design Manual for Light Rail
Transit.” Publishes engineering principles and technical guidelines for Light Rail Transit
track design. Parsons Brinckerhoff is the prime consultant. Contact: G.W. Martyn, Parsons
st
Brinckerhoff. Published 1 Quarter, 2000.
Association of American Railroads: Provided data base of rail transit industry track and
vehicle with rail corrugation characterizations by transit agency (Light Rail and Heavy Rail)
track location. Contact: Roy Allen. May, 1995
Rail Transit Corrugations, Federal Transit Administration: Mr. Daniels led a series of studies
on corrugation mechanisms, as co-principal investigator and project manager of a team of
research specialists including Battelle and Georgia Institute of Technology. The research
included dynamic modeling of vehicle and track, field dynamic measurements at transit
agencies, laboratory investigations, and detailed survey of industry configurations (track,
vehicle, superstructure, operating conditions) and the corrugation occurrence by location on
North American and International transit agencies (Light Rail and Heavy Rail). Parsons
Brinckerhoff contract with Baltimore MTA; Mahesh Sharma, MTA Program Manager, Jeffery
Mora, FTA Program Administrator. 1993.
Maglev Structural Dynamics, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA): Larry collaborated as
project manager with Battelle and Intermagnetics General, Inc. on dynamic interaction study
of guideways with maglev vehicles traveling at speeds up to 500 mph. The study was one of
27 awarded projects under the FRA's National Maglev Initiative to assess Maglev design and
performance questions. Parsons Brinckerhoff contract with the FRA; Andrew Sluz,
Contracting Officer's Technical Representative, TSC. 1992.
Track Research Lead Engineer, Transportation Test Center, Pueblo, CO, Association of
American Railroads (current TTC custodian), 1979 - 1986: Responsible for supervision of
research professionals in the planning, execution, analysis and reporting on track research
programs for the Federal Railroad Administration, Class 1 railroads and private clients.
Concurrently responsible test engineer for track buckling, wood ties and fasteners, track
irregularity and rail corrugations research projects. Current Contacts: Britto Rajkumar.
Transit
Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), On-Call Services. Retained to support BART’s Resident
Engineer in final trackwork acceptance of the Daly City Yard Improvement Project. The
assignment requires track technical issue resolution, consultation on trackwork project
management, coordination of plans and specs with the Project, the Engineer of Record and
BART Engineering. Conducted In-process, Preliminary and Final Track inspections for the
Project. Karen Gast, Resident Engineer. June 2002 through February 2003. Subcontract
through SYSTRA.
Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), On-Call Services. Performed final inspection of BART track
construction: Concord Yard, February 2002. Jeff Cowling, Deputy Concord Yard Construction
Manager, under subcontract to Earthtech (Rick Dana, Earthtech program manager)
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Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), Track Inspection Training: Conducted concentrated track
instruction training on track definitions, construction inspection procedures and process, and
construction contract management. Originated a comprehensive track inspection manual
covering new track construction inspection and maintenance track inspection. April 2001 to
June 2001. Subcontract to Earthtech. Ric Rattray, BART Manager of Construction.
Sacramento Regional Transit, Amtrak Extension: Civil Design Manager for 0.7 mile
embedded track extension in downtown Sacramento connecting the Regional Transit System
to Sacramento’s Amtrak Station, the originating site of the transcontinental railroad. January
2001 to present. Subcontract to Frederic R. Harris. Alan Boone, Project Manager for
Frederic R. Harris. Darryl Abansado, Project Manager for Sacramento Regional Transit.
San Francisco Municipal Railway, Metro East Yard: Quality Review engineer, track. May
2000 to present. Subcontract to Korve Engineers. James Fea, Project Manager, Phil Leong,
Project Engineer, Korve Engineers.
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, Vasona Extension: Quality Review engineer for
track. May 2000 to present. Subcontract. James Fea, Project Manager, Phil Leong, Project
Engineer, Korve Engineers.
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority: Responsible track engineer on the Capitol
Corridor LRT expansion. This line segment is the first of VTA’s expansions designed
specifically for implementation of Low Floor Vehicle technology. 1999 to present. Contact:
Robert S. Newland, Project Manager, Carter & Burgess, Inc.
San Diego Trolley: (a) Direct Fixation track rehabilitation consultation [America Plaza
embedded track]. Investigate causes of 6 year old Direct Fixation track damage in a 90 ft
radius curved, embedded track within a light rail station. Recommend retrofit track system.
Commenced January 1998. Contact: Bill Rose, Manager, Capital Projects, MTDB. Contract
through Keith Gallistel, Earth Tech. (b) Direct Fixation track construction consultation
[Mission Valley West]. Evaluate Direct Fixation track construction, advise Agency regarding
proper Direct Fixation construction tolerances, provide correct inspection procedures, provide
oversight for Direct Fixation re-surfacing by construction contractor. Contact: Bill Prey,
Construction Engineer, MTDB. Contract through Keith Gallistel, Earth Tech. Ongoing,
commencing May 1998.
WMATA Rail Car Lift Evaluation: Conducted an investigation of rail car lifts including
measurements and mechanical engineering analysis resulting in identification of
recommended improvements to eliminate the lifts’ drive train failures in a third party lift.
Subconsultant for Ed Mixan, Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade & Douglas, under contract to the
Washinton Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. January to March, 1998
BART On-Call Services: Provide track design and construction support for Concord Yard &
Shop expansion (1998 – 2000); Responsible track design engineer for Hayward Yard
modifications (1999 - 2000). Contact: Obe Schrader, Project Manager, Carter & Burgess,
Oakland, CA.
North County, Oceanside – (a) On-call services for advanced technical support for track
rehabilitation issues. On-going current subcontract under Frederic R. Harris. Contact: David
Levy, Vice President, San Pedro, CA. (b) Review Miramar Hill track realignment. Subcontract
to Simon Wong Engineers through Carter & Burgess. Contact: Carl Wallace, Carter &
Burgess.
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Sacramento Regional Transit, South Sacramento Extension - Railroad interface engineer
responsible for freight railroad track design and all interface issues (utilities, access, etc.)
involving the Union Pacific Railroad along their right of way that will contain a 6 mile Regional
Transit extension. January 1998 to February 1999. Subcontract Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade
& Douglas (Paul McCauley, Project Manager).
North County, Oceanside - Escondido Preliminary Engineering (Light Rail): The project
explores alternatives and develops preliminary plans for a joint Light Rail and Freight rail 21.3
mile operation among local communities with transfer to AMTRAK at Oceanside. Larry
developed a rail life analysis from which he produced life-cycle performance estimates for rail
alternatives including retention of 90 SF rail manufactured between 1903 and 1928. Analysis
includes Weibull Statistical analysis of the existing 90 SF rail flaw history and present value
economic analysis of all alternatives over 50 years. Frederic R. Harris, Inc. project. Contact:
David Levy, Project Manager.
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) – Direct Fixation Track
Structure Study. Lead investigator in collaboration with Battelle Laboratories of rail clip
loosening and breakage and aggressive rail corrugations on new portions of the Frankford
Elevated. Rail clips for fasteners that were intended to have no longitudinal restraint (passive
rail clips) were not only touching the rail but gouged the rail base. The investigation
conducted field inspections and rail longitudinal profile measurements. The investigation
subjected the fasteners to laboratory testing for mechanical properties and fatigue limits. The
investigators performed dynamic computer simulations of vehicle/track interaction using the
measured fastener properties. Finite element analysis was performed to determine the effect
of rail gouging on rail fatigue life. The investigators performed a full tolerance analysis on the
track system. April 1995 to May 1996. Subcontract to Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade and
Douglas. Eugene Allen, Milton Zuras, FERP Project Managers.
Portland Westside Extension, Tri-Met (Light Rail): Track project engineer responsible for
design and construction contract documents for the 3 mile double bore tunnel track with the
longest severe grade (5%) in North American Transit. Track design considerations included
accommodation of the first low-floor Light Rail Vehicle in North America. Client required full
track designs for direct fixation track and duo block track options within the same design
envelope. Parsons Brinckerhoff contract; Dave McAlister, Design Manager. 1992 - 1993.
Singapore Mass Rapid Transit Project (Heavy Rail): Served as trackwork and third rail project
engineer for the Woodlands Extension. The project is a ten-mile all-aerial tie-ballast
extension of existing main line and yard facilities. The track design produced requisite
construction contract documents (construction drawings and specifications) using European
standards while concurrently resolving turnout design problems on the existing system.
Parsons Brinckerhoff International contract; Walter Michelutti, Project Manager. 1991 - 1992.
Downtown Seattle Transit Project, Washington (Light Rail): Developed analysis and final
design of embedded track for Seattle's joint use (rail and bus) transit tunnel on a common
running surface. Responsible for the project's rail and special trackwork procurement
specifications. Parsons Brinckerhoff contract; Tom Conley, Project Engineer. 1990.
Project Management Oversight, Federal Transit Administration (FTA): Track Technical
project oversight of federally funded transit projects in Cleveland (Light & Heavy Rail) and,
separately, St. Louis (Light Rail). Provided track engineering review of construction for
Cleveland's $500 million Tower City Project, and of final design and construction for the new
St. Louis Metro Link Light Rail Transit system to the FTA. Parsons Brinckerhoff contract;
John Devens, Project Manager. 1988 - 1993.
Page - 6 LAURENCE E. DANIELS
Facilities Maintenance Consultation, WMATA (Heavy Rail): Provided technical consultation
for interaction of rail forces and aerial structures with direct fixation fasteners, non-destructive
investigation of subterranean voids caused by tunnel leaks, track buckling incidents in yard
lead tracks, bus sub-system (door operation) failures, bus hoist capacity, and direct fixation
track component failures, as part of a system maintenance engineering contract. Parsons
Brinckerhoff contract; Edgar Mixan, Project Manager. 1987 - 1993.
Baltimore Metro Comprehensive Inspection of Aerial Structures, Baltimore MTA: Responsible
for developing a high-level engineering data base system to capture aerial structure
inspection information and to produce maintenance and inspection work orders based on
system design criteria and inspection results. The physical extent of the system is 4.6 miles
of aerial box girder structures and three above-ground stations. Parsons Brinckerhoff
contract; Frank Balsamo, project manager. 1987.
Detroit Central Automated Transit System (CATS), Michigan (People Mover System):
Resident engineer for track construction. Responsible for administering the construction
contract and for the inspection and acceptance of the $3 million track construction including
Linear Induction Motor (LIM) reaction rail. The Resident Engineer supervised a staff of 10
inspectors and support staff at the peak of project activity. UTDC Contract; Terry Andrews,
Construction Manager. 1986.
Retained as the Engineer's Witness to qualification tests on the proposed direct fixation
fastener design for the Los Angeles Red Line (Heavy Rail). Tests conducted at UTAM
(Czech Republic University campus in Prague). Parsons Dillingham contract; Guido
Eyzaguirre, Project Manager. April, 1994 to May, 1994.
Page - 7 LAURENCE E. DANIELS
Railroad
Tongue River Railroad, Montana. Track engineering services for ammended environmental
impact report to revise the alignment of a proposed 100MGT coal haul railroad for existing
and potential coal mine facilities. Ongoing, commenced May 1998. Contact: Scott Steinwert,
Public Affairs Management, San Francisco, CA.
See also Transit, Sacramento Regional Transit South Sacramento Extension
Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC), West Rail Project. The KCRC is planning a
new 32 km railway from the Peoples’ Republic of China to the Kowloon Port that will surpass
any existing world-wide railway in capacity and, perhaps, maximum axle load. The proposed
project will intermingle high density transit traffic and high speed inter-city rail with heavy axle
load freight on a single corridor. The project is slated to rival the English Channel Tunnel
cost. Bechtel International is the General Engineering Consultant to the KCRC, Mr. Malcolm
Snody is the immediate contact at Bechtel. Mr. Daniels’ involvement commenced January,
1996, with on-going commitments to evaluate the appropriate axle load for the project, and to
assess the practical engineering requirements to realize planning proposals for the West Rail
project. Contact: Chris Boyce, Kowloon Canton Railway Corporation. Active project since
January, 1996.
Los Angeles Metrolink (SCRRA), Commuter Rail: Provide On-call engineering services
including alignment evaluations for compliance to applicable regulations and criteria,
coordination of survey and surfacing work to design geometry. Track chart review. Metrolink
contact: David Mansheim; Frederick R. Harris contract. Active project (commenced April,
1995)
Unit Rail Anchor Company: Develop engineering evaluations of rail anchor products,
contribute to product design. Other engineering services as requested. Contact: Paul Ciolino.
Active project (commenced April 1995).
Racine Railroad Products: Technical Capacity Assessment (Engineering Management
processes evaluation). Contact: Steven Birkholz. Active Project (commenced September
1994).
Burlington Northern Railroad: Project engineer responsible for a cost/benefit study of
advanced track component designs. Parsons Brinckerhoff contract, Henry Lees, BN client
contact. 1986
English Channel Tunnel, Great Britain: Responsible for providing consulting services on
questions of suitability of the track system and track support design for the main track of the
32 mile tunnel link between Britain and France. Parsons Brinckerhoff contract, J.L. Lammie,
Chief Executive Officer. 1991
Coal Load-Out Facilities, Wyoming: Participated in the track design and construction contract
documents for heavy haul coal facilities throughout the Powder River Basin. Morrison-
Knudsen contracts. 1976 to 1978.
Western Pacific Railroad (now Union Pacific Railroad): Larry began his career with the WP
with advancing responsibility from junior engineer to engineer of standards and materials.
The latter including system planning, specification and inspection (QA/QC) of all track
materials for the system's track programs for this Class 1, 1000 mile railroad. Also served the
railroad as assistant roadmaster, Oakland to Stockton. No current contacts remain on the
succeeding railroad. 1971 to 1976.
Page - 8 LAURENCE E. DANIELS
Industry Support Activities
American Railway Engineering & Maintenance Association:
Track Committee (Committee 5),. Past Subcommittee Chair, Track Design. .
Transit Committee (Committee 12)
High Speed Rail Committee (Committee 17)
Transportation Research Board:
Railroad Track Structure System Design, Committee A2M01,.
Rail Transit System Design, Group 2, Section M, A2M04, Transportation Research Board.
Board of Directors, Folsom El Dorado & Sacramento Railway Historical Society
Mr. Daniels supports on the following industry committees through active membership or
contributions
- APTA Noise Vibration and Track Committee
- AAR track research committees
Page - 9 LAURENCE E. DANIELS
Publications
1. Laurence E. Daniels, James M. Tuten III, Charles Stanford, Definitions of Direct Fixation
Track, APTA 2001 Rail Transit Conference, Boston, June 12, 2001.
2. Laurence E. Daniels, Track Inspection Manual, Bay Area Rapid Transit, Issue 1, June 2001.
Comprehensive construction and maintenance track inspection procedures, project
management and definitions to BART standards and specifications.
3. J.M. Tuten III, L.E. Daniels, Performance of Direct-Fixation Track Structures comprised of
a Final Report, Design Guidelines, and Analysis Methodology, Transportation Research
Cooperative Program, Project D-5, Transportation Research Board of the National Research
st
Council, Published 1 Quarter, 2000.
4. Track Design Handbook for Light Rail Transit, TCRP Report 57, Transportation Research
Board, Federal Transit Administration, by Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade & Douglas under
TCRP Project D-6. Copyright Transportation Research Board, 2000.
5. L.E. Daniels, Longitudinal Rail Force on Long Bridges and Aerial Structures,
Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2000, Committee A2M01, Track Design,
January 12, 2000.
6. Co-chairman, Advanced Topics in Rail Steels and Welding, Transportation Research Board
Annual Conference, January, 1998.
7. Laurence E. Daniels, Designing a New Railway for Heavy Axle Load, Transportation
Research Board Annual Meeting, Session 212, Part 1, The 315-Kip Car: Implications in Track
Design, Washington, D.C., January 14, 1997.
8. Laurence E. Daniels, Direct Fixation Fasteners on SEPTA Franklin Elevated
Reconstruction, Track, Noise & Vibration Subcommittee, American Passenger Transit
Association, Boston, November 8, 1996.
9. Laurence E. Daniels, Wheel Profile and Frog Point Geometry, American Railway
Engineering Association Turnout Symposium, Chicago, August 14, 1996.
10. Laurence E. Daniels, Preliminary Report, Axle Load Study, for the West Rail Project,
Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation, Hong Kong, May 2, 1996.
11. Laurence E. Daniels, James M. Tuten, Jeffrey Hadden, Final Report: DF Track Structure
Study, for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, submitted to Philadelphia
Transit Consultants, April 23, 1996.
12. Laurence E. Daniels, Permanent Way Concerns: Cost-Efficient Engineering and
Construction for Greater Durability, AsiaRail ‘96, Hong Kong, March 26, 1996.
13. Laurence E. Daniels, Committee 5 Presentation on Elastic Fasteners, 1995 AREA Annual
Conference, March 21, 1995. Published in Volume 96, Bulletin 752, American Railway
Engineering Association, October 1995, pp. 277 to 293.
14. Laurence E. Daniels, Rail Life Analysis, Oceanside - Escondido Line, project report to
Frederic R. Harris, October 1995.
15. Laurence E. Daniels, RAIL CORRUGATION: CAUSES & POTENTIAL CURES, Rail Transit
‘95: Design, Construction and Maintenance of Transit Track & Structures, June 9, 1995.
Page - 10 LAURENCE E. DANIELS
16. Laurence E. Daniels, Donald R. Ahlbeck, James M. Tuten III, Rail Corrugation: Perception
and Reality, Railway Track & Structures, September, 1994, pp. 41 - 47.
17. Laurence E. Daniels, Rail Fastener Qualification Test Report, Rail Construction
Corporation Procurement Contract B616 (Los Angeles Metro) for Parsons Dillingham, May
20, 1994
18. Qualification Specification for Elastic Fasteners on Timber Ties, American Railway
Engineering Association, Committee 5, assignment to Subcommittee 4, Track Design, L.E.
Daniels Subcommittee Chairman, Published as Recommended Practice, 1994.
19. Laurence E. Daniels, Rail Transit Corrugations, FTA-MD-06-0141-93-1, December, 1993
20. Direct Fixation Fastener Specification, contained in the track construction contract documents
for Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon, Westside Corridor Project, Line
Section 5A, Westside LRT Tunnel, Contract No. 93-0561B/WCO500, March, 1993
21. Proceedings: Symposium on Elastic Track Fasteners, A Special Session of the American
Railway Engineering Association, Committee 5, Track, Subcommittee 4, Track Design, June,
1992, Ed. by L.E. Daniels
22. L.E. Daniels, D.R. Ahlbeck, Z.J. Stekly, G.M. Gregorick, Influence of Guideway Flexibility
on Maglev Vehicle/Guideway Dynamic Forces, (Maglev Structural Dynamics), National
Maglev Initiative, Federal Railroad Administration, DOT/FRA/NMI-92/09, July 1992
23. Baltimore Metro Northeast Line Direct Fixation Fastener Procurement Specification, Contract
XO-50-07, 1/24/92
24. L.E. Daniels, Aerial Structure Fasteners Evaluation, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit
Authority, May 19,1991
25. D.R. Ahlbeck, L.E. Daniels, Investigation of Rail Corrugations on the Baltimore Metro,
Mechanics and Fatigue in Wheel/Rail Contact, ISBN 0444 88774 1, ELSEVIER SEQUOIA
S.A., 1990, pp. 197 - 210.
26. Donald R. Ahlbeck, Larry E. Daniels, A Review of Rail Corrugation Processes Under Different
Operating Modes, 1990 ASME/IEEE Joint Railroad Conference, April, 1990, pp. 13 - 18.
27. L.E. Daniels, D.R. Ahlbeck, Rail Corrugation Study, Summary and Recommendations,
Baltimore MTA, July, 1990; and as part of that same project, an interim report: L.E. Daniels,
Report on Rail Corrugation Wave Forms and Growth, January, 1990.
28. L.E. Daniels, The Burlington Northern Railroad Life Cycle Performance of Moveable Point
Frogs, 1987
29. H.G. Moody, L.E. Daniels, Fastener Performance in Concrete and Wood Tie Track, paper
no. 82-HH-40, Proceedings: Second International Heavy Haul Railway Conference,
September, 1982, pp. 432 -441.
30. Daniels, N. Blume, Rail Corrugation Growth Performance, paper no. 82-HH-28,
Proceedings: Second International Heavy Haul Railway Conference, September, 1982, pp.
294 - 321
31. Larry Daniels, Howard G. Moody, Evaluation of Various Wood Tie Fasteners Under
Freight Railroad Service Testing, Proceedings: FAST Engineering Conference 1981,
FRA/TTC-82/01, pp. 63 -74.
