Rail Vehicles

The Rail Vehicle work performed by Parsons includes expertise in new start systems, rehabilitation and extensions to existing systems. The technical and management expertise supports work from the early alternative analysis and environmental impact study phases through actual implementation phases of a project.

Our experience lies in managing the development of a strategy through the implementation of the strategy for light rail, heavy rail, commuter rail and people mover (including automated) vehicles. We also support the development and implementation of maintenance solutions based on life cycle and preventive maintenance principles.

Services include:

• Identifying rail vehicle technology that may be suitable for a new start system
• Assisting with developing the specifications needed to support procurement of rolling stock (new car or rehabilitated car)
• Developing the procurement strategy and documents that best suit an Authority’s rail vehicle procurement
• Assisting with the procurement process from pre-bid through award and into execution phases
• Assisting with technical deliverable, manufacturing, integration, testing and delivery phases of the work
• Assisting with developing the operating and maintenance programs for the rail vehicle fleet
• Providing condition of car assessments

Parsons provides project management and technical support services to clients, ranging from assisting with identifying and selecting vehicle technology, through procurement of vehicles, to oversight of the production, testing, and delivery of vehicles. Additionally, Parsons’ support extends to developing and ensuring delivery of Operations and Maintenance (including life cycle and preventive maintenance) related deliverables. Contracts performed, to date, have been multi-year in nature, reflecting the life cycle of a rail car development, procurement and implementation process. Clients' investments in these programs have run from the tens of millions to hundreds of millions of dollars.

Projects performed by Parsons have included:

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)
Parsons provided an independent assessment of the new car procurement WMATA had awarded to a carbuilder. The assessment included determining that the delivery of the work was in compliance with the stated plans and procedures of all parties. The assessment also included recommendations regarding achievement of effective production and delivery of new rail cars.

Metropolitan Atlanta Regional Transit Authority (MARTA)
MARTA selected Rail Vehicle Consultants (a Joint Venture including Parsons) to provide maintenance assistance to increase existing car availability, implement a mid-life rehabilitation of existing rail cars, support technology improvement programs on existing rail cars and develop a Preventive Maintenance plan for implementation on existing rail cars (post rehabilitation) and the most recent procurement of rail cars. Services included Program Management support of three major capital programs being executed concurrently.

Regional Transportation District of Nashville
The RTD solicited Parsons to provide Quality Assurance oversight for the implementation of the new Commuter Rail project. The services included assistance with identifying available rolling stock that would best suit the RTD’s initial project. The work included assisting with the development of the certification program the RTD needed in order to begin revenue service.