International Association of Railway Operating Officers (IAROO)

IAROO provides its members with the latest operating and technical information that drives superior railroad management now and in the future.  The program for the 2019 conference includes:

• Railroad technology trends: opportunities and challenges
• PTC implementation update
• Transportation security
• NTSB’s Most Wanted List

Monday, September 23

9:00 AM – 9:45 AM

CFR 243-Training, Qualifications, and Oversight for Safety-Related Railroad Employees (Joint Session with ABA)

Introduction, overview of regulatory components, and anticipated involvement from participating railroads as to prepare for the implementation date.

Speaker:  Brandon Hanzlicek, Manager Transportation Training; BNSF Railway Company.

10:00 AM – 10:45 AM

Transforming Railroad Policy and Investment: Placing Railroads at the Center of North American Economic and Environmental Revitalization

The future of U.S. rail transportation depends on legislators, planners, business operators, financiers and citizens aligning on the value of railroads. Michael Sussman has overseen the capitalization of freight rail projects in 44 states and Canada, and has conducted over 1000 educational meetings with local and congressional officials and staff.  He will share his experiences carrying the flag of railroads/ contribution to society and discuss a multifaceted plan for progress.

Speaker:  Michael Sussman, President of Strategic Rail Finance; Founder of OnTrackNorthAmerica

11:00 AM – 11:35 AM

RailTerm Dispatching and Software Solutions

Dispatching multiple railroads, the challenges and solutions are explained from the perspective of the service provider.

Speakers:

Dan Mongeau, Vice-President, Rail Control and Regulatory Affairs, RailTerm
Jade Hickey, Director, Rail Traffic Control, RailTerm

1:45 PM – 2:30 PM

AAR’s Train Control, Communications, and Operations Committee Research Update

Update on AAR’s efforts related to advanced train control, including on new methods of operation, autonomous train capability and autonomous vehicle interactions with crossings.

Speaker:  Michael R. Newcomb, AVP Transportation Systems Development, Union Pacific Railroad; Chair, AAR Train Control, Communications and Operations Committee

2:45 PM – 3:30 PM

An Update from the NTSB—Accident Investigations and the NTSB Most Wanted List

This session includes:

• An overview of completed NTSB accident investigations in the past 3 years with a discussion of the findings and probable causes.
• A review of resulting safety recommendations and their current status
• The NTSB 2019 Most Wanted List
• How railroad accident investigations are linked to the Most Wanted List

Speaker:  Georgetta Gregory, Railroad Accident Investigator IIC, National Transportation Safety Board

3:45 PM – 4:30 PM

LOCOTROL Remote Control Locomotives and Advanced Yard Technologies

Wabtec-GE Remote Control Locomotive (RCL) technologies has continued to expand capabilities from shunting operations to use on the mainline to enable reduced crew operation.  This session will introduce guest to the existing and emerging RCL technologies and how it can help increase automation in the yards and enable efficient train operations on the main line.

Speaker:  Adam Franco, Senior Digital Product Manager, GE Transportation, a company of Wabtec

Tuesday, September 24

9:45 AM – 10:30 AM

PTC Implementation 2020 – Safety Improvement but With Issues Yet to Resolve

One citizen’s interpretation of the Denver Regional Transportation District’s interaction with FRA and how this might affect the circumstances surrounding the 2020 date for universal PTC implementation.

Speaker: Paul Michael Lovette, Independent Engineering Consultant, Retired: TTCI and several industry corporations

10:45 AM – 11:30 AM

Innovation and Technology in the Railroad Industry: The Next 25 Years

What are the likely challenges and the technical opportunities facing North American railroads between now and 2045?  Are railroads changing and/or innovating fast enough to succeed and avoid disruptive change?

Speaker:  Michael Iden, Union Pacific Railroad—retired 2018; Consultant to the railroad industry

12:30 PM – 1:15 PM

30 Years of RCL Safety and Productivity, Here’s What’s Next

A brief history of RCL including where the industry is now and the vision of the future.

Speaker:  Jeremy Jovenall, Product Manager, Rail, Cattron

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM

Obstructive Sleep Apnea – Implementing Countermeasures or Hoping for the Best

Railroad employees with undiagnosed and untreated Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) may compromise their own health and pose significant safety risk  s to themselves, co-workers, their company and the public.  This presentation provides insights regarding the why and how Anacostia Rail Holdings (ARH) implemented a screening, testing and treatment program at their six railroads.  The OSA Program Manager will outline a practical approach, lessons learned and respond to questions.

Speaker:  Thomas A. Leopold, CSP, Chief Safety and Compliance Officer, Anacostia Rail Holding, Inc.