11/10/2021
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Agenda
9:00 am:
Welcome:
• Dr. Habib Dagher, P.E., Director, TIDC; Executive Director, ASCC, University of Maine
9:30 am:
Keynote Speaker:
• FRA’s Role in Railroad Research and Emerging Research Needs – Sean Woody, Chief , Track Research Division, Federal Railroad Administration, Washington DC
Sean Woody Q&A
10:15 am:
Break
10:30 am:
Session 1: Needs & Challenges
Moderators:
• Luisa Paiewonsky, Director, Center for Infrastructure Systems & Technology, U.S. DOT Volpe Center
• Dale Peabody, P.E., Director, Transportation Research, MaineDOT
Panelists:
• Research of Engineered Polymer Composite Ties at TTCI – Dr. Yin Gao, Senior Engineer, Transportation Technology Center, Inc.
• Modeling Approaches to Investigate Loading and Failure of Railroad Track Components – Dr. Shushu Liu, Senior Engineer, Changeis, Volpe National Transportation Systems Center
• Modernizing Maine’s Rail System – Nate Moulton, Director, Office of Freight and Passenger Services, MaineDOT
• Track and Structures Assets – State of Good Repair – David Melillo, Vice President, Engineering, Metro-North Railroad Company
Session 1 Panel Discussion
12:00 pm:
Lunch
1:00 pm:
Keynote Speaker:
•The Future of Passenger Rail in Connecticut – Mark Rolfe, Deputy Commissioner, ConnDOT with Richard Andreski, Bureau Chief for Public Transportation, ConnDOT
Mark Rolfe Q&A
1:30 pm:
Session 2: Forensics & Technical Advancements
Moderators:
• Clary Coutu, President, New England Railroad Club, Director of Environmental Services, Compliance and Sustainability Keolis
• Dr. Moochul Shin, Associate Professor, Civil & Environmental Engineering, Western New England University
Panelists:
• Glazing Retention Rollover Accidents – Kristine Severson Train Accident Investigations and Crashworthiness Research – Karina Jacobsen, U.S. DOT Volpe Center
• Laser Doppler Vibrometry for Health and Strength Monitoring of Civil Structures – Mario Pineda, Territory Manager, Polytec Inc.
• Determination Methods Needed for Cyclic Behavior of Railroad Loadings – Dr. Stephen Dick, Senior Research Engineer, Purdue University Bowen Laboratory
Session 2 Panel Discussion
2:30 pm:
Break
2:45 pm:
Session 3: Solutions & Opportunities
Moderator:
• Dr. Ramesh Malla, Professor, Structures & Applied Sciences, Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Connecticut
• Jeffrey Gordon, Manager, Passenger Safety Research Program, Federal Railroad Administration
Panelists:
• Amtrak Major Bridge and Tunnel Initiatives – Paul DelSignore, P.E., Deputy Chief Engineer of Structures, Amtrak
• Steel Railway Bridge Life Extension – John Unsworth, P.E., Senior Railway Bridge Engineer Consultant, AECOM
• Regional Freight Railroad Perspective of New England Railroad Infrastructure – Chad Boutet P.E., Director, Engineering Grants, Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services
Session 3 Panel Discussion
3:45 pm:
Closing Remarks
4:00 pm:
Adjourn
2021 Symposium on New England Railroad Infrastructure: Planning Committee