Glossary

The American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) is a professional engineering organization that develops technical standards, recommended practices, and engineering guidance for the design, construction, and maintenance of railway infrastructure. Headquartered in the United States, AREMA serves as the primary standards body for railroad track, bridges, structures, signaling systems, and maintenance practices used across the North American rail industry.

AREMA was formed in 1997 through the merger of three earlier railway engineering organizations: the American Railway Engineering Association (AREA), the American Railway Bridge and Building Association (ARB&B), and the Roadmasters and Maintenance of Way Association (RMWA). Each of these groups historically focused on different aspects of railway infrastructure—track engineering, structural design, and maintenance operations. Their consolidation into AREMA created a single organization responsible for coordinating standards and technical guidance across the entire railway infrastructure system.

One of AREMA’s most important contributions to the industry is the publication of the AREMA Manual for Railway Engineering, which is widely considered the authoritative reference for railway infrastructure design and maintenance in North America. The manual contains detailed engineering guidance covering topics such as rail design and rail sections, track structure, ballast, subgrade, turnouts, bridges, tunnels, drainage systems, communications, and signaling. Engineers, contractors, railroad operators, and suppliers rely on this manual to ensure that railway infrastructure is designed and maintained according to proven engineering practices.

AREMA also establishes many of the dimensional and performance standards for railway components, including rail profiles (such as the common 136RE rail section), track bolts, joint bars (fishplates), fastening systems, tie plates, and other track hardware. These standards ensure interoperability across the rail network, allowing equipment and components from different manufacturers to function together safely and reliably.

Beyond publishing standards, AREMA serves as a professional society and knowledge-sharing forum for railway engineers and infrastructure specialists. The organization hosts technical committees, conferences, training programs, and industry publications, allowing professionals to collaborate on solving engineering challenges and advancing railway technology. Members include railroad companies, engineering firms, manufacturers, consultants, government agencies, and academic researchers involved in rail transportation.