J. Riley Edwards

J. Riley Edwards is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), leading track infrastructure research at the Rail Transportation and Engineering Center (RailTEC). He holds a Ph.D. and M.S. from UIUC and a B.E. from Vanderbilt University. His career includes roles from Lecturer (2007) to Assistant Professor (2023), with prior positions as Research Scientist and Senior Lecturer.

Edwards' research focuses on railway infrastructure, including track system design, material performance, and AI-driven inspection technologies. He has advised numerous graduate and undergraduate students, contributing to RailTEC's mission of advancing rail engineering education and industry collaboration.

His work spans over 150 peer-reviewed articles, with recent contributions emphasizing track buckling analysis, fastening system optimization, and data-driven infrastructure monitoring. Notable awards include the TRB William W. Millar Award (2024) and Progressive Railroading Rising Star Award (2015). Edwards is actively involved in professional societies like AREMA and TRB, organizing international symposia and serving on technical committees.

Edwards has led major projects funded by agencies like FRA and FTA, advancing resilient track components, wireless sensing systems, and smart mobility solutions. His lab work includes field testing, laboratory experiments, and computational modeling to address challenges in heavy-haul, transit, and high-speed rail systems.