Pictured (left to right): Dan Lukasik, Dave Schlesinger, Nigel Astell, Kim Anderson, Fardad Sarraf-Zadeh, William Vantuono (Railway Age magazine), John Hofbauer, David Garcia, and Himanshu Patel.
Through positive train control (PTC) and communications-based train control (CBTC) technologies, Parsons is helping improve the safety, reliability, and capacity of metro and commuter rail systems around the world, so it should come as no surprise that we cosponsored the NextGen Train Control conference with Railway Age on October 19 and 20 in Philadelphia, PA. The 2-day conference, featuring discussions and technical presentations on PTC and CBTC technologies and projects in North America and Europe, is the rail industry’s single-most important gathering of communications and signaling professionals from around the globe. More than 125 people attended the annual event—now in its third decade—including representatives from transit agencies, the Federal Railroad Administration, technology companies, and engineering consulting firms.
Veronique Hakim, Managing Director of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority, was the keynote speaker. Our experts in PTC, CBTC, intelligent transportation systems, and disruptive emerging technologies moderated the seven interactive sessions over the two days of the conference. They also participated on panels, covering subjects such as the European Railway Traffic Management System, and shared our project experience, including the design, installation, and testing/commissioning of an interoperable PTC system for the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District.
Thank you to all the attendees who helped make this conference a success!