Power In Motion: How Parsons Is Electrifying the Future Of Rail
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
In the world of modern rail systems and transportation, reliable and resilient traction power infrastructure is not just a requirement; it is the foundation of safe, efficient, and sustainable mobility. At Parsons, we’ve made it our mission to deliver innovative traction power solutions that meet today’s challenges and anticipate tomorrow’s needs.
Built On Experience, Driven By Innovation
Parsons brings decades of experience designing and supporting complex rail systems to provide comprehensive power systems solutions across the U.S., Canada, and the Middle East. Our work spans a wide array of transit modes and environments. In every case, we’ve faced and overcome the most complex technical and operational challenges: maintaining full service during substation retrofits, integrating new third rail systems in operational environments, and delivering construction-ready designs under aggressive timelines.
This experience allows us to confidently lead system modernization efforts that upgrade electrification infrastructure without compromising passenger service or safety.
Engineering For Seamless Operation
Our specialized teams design and retrofit substations across all rail and facility applications —from high-voltage traction substations to substations supporting maintenance facilities, stations, and signal power. We’ve worked on every type of electrified transit operating in the world. We excel at planning and executing cutovers that ensure continuous train operations throughout construction. This includes developing complex construction staging based on detailed designs, a strong understanding of the contractors’ means and methods, and key operational needs.
Our analytical-first design process prioritizes flexibility, maintainability, and system reliability. This allows us to develop power systems that meet the unique demands of each project and community.
Predictive Simulation For Smarter Design
Our proprietary DC traction power simulation software (TRACKPAC®) is at the heart of our approach to strengthening rail systems. This tool models second-by-second vehicle movement, emulating network-wide power flows and providing accurate predictions of system behavior under all conditions.
We use these insights to inform equipment selection, evaluate alternate configurations, and model cost and energy efficiency before final design begins. The result is a smarter power system from the start.
Lifecycle Support From Planning To Commissioning
We offer comprehensive services throughout the entire lifecycle of traction power systems, including:
- Feasibility studies and simulations
- Substation design and retrofits
- Substation Ground grid design and systems grounding
- Overhead Catenary (OCS), Third rail, and power distribution
- Frequency converters
- Load break switches, contactors, and bypass breakers
- Construction support, testing, and commissioning
- Power quality and energy conservation studies
We bring a deep bench of multidisciplinary engineers with hands-on experience in rail operations and utility systems, ensuring that rail systems designs are not just theoretically sound but practically executable.
Powering A Sustainable Rail Future
We’re pushing traction power systems forward, focusing on greater sustainability, resilience, and efficiency. Our teams actively explore battery energy storage systems, load-leveling strategies, and other green technologies that reduce power draw, lower emissions, and enhance long-term affordability in rail systems.
The Parsons Difference
Parsons has long been a trusted partner in building the backbone of modern transportation. With deep expertise, proprietary tools, and a track record of keeping trains running during even the most complex upgrades, we deliver what rail systems need most: safe, sustainable power that is always in motion.