Transit agencies today face issues such as increasing service and ridership demand, ageing infrastructure and vehicles, declining external funding (federal, state and local government grants), and the need to grow internally generated revenues (fares, joint development, advertisements, etc.). For transit operators, ageing capital assets lead to higher maintenance costs and limited ability to expand system capacity. Many transit agencies lack state-of-the-art capital planning systems and are taking sub-optimal decisions with regard to fund allocation for assets. The US Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration estimates that one-third of the US’s transit assets are either in a marginal or poor condition and there exists a backlog of USD80 billion in deferred asset maintenance and replacement needs with an additional investment requirement of USD14.4 billion annually for normal replacement expenditures to prevent further backlog.

In response to these circumstances, Global Mass Transit will host a conference, “Transit State of Good Repair (SOGR)“, on March 7 and 8, 2012 at WILLARD INTERCONTINENTAL in Washington DC. The conference will bring together diverse stakeholders for exploring creative approaches to finance the required repairs and upgrades of ageing transportation assets. The mission of the conference is to explore SOGR as a strategy for managing and growing the asset base to achieve a high-quality, reliable, safe, secure, efficient and customer-centric transit service which promotes community livability and sustainability.

The conference is unique in that it focuses only on SOGR. It aims to provide practical suggestions, and discuss the lessons learnt and best practices for adopting a systems engineering approach in achieving transit SOGR to optimize resources, generate revenues and maximize returns on investment. It will address issues related to assessing the condition of transit capital assets, prioritizing transit reinvestment decisions, preventive maintenance practices, asset management, research needs, transit recapitalization and innovative financing strategies. The sessions will also adequately address the unique issues relevant to small and medium transit agencies.

The speakers will include policymakers, transit agencies and operators, technology providers, specialist consultants, transit-related associations and financiers such as private equity firms and banks.

KEY issues to be explored:

  • How can SOGR be defined and measured?
  • How can the systems engineering approach be used to adopt SOGR as a strategy?
  • How can transit agencies make better use of their existing maintenance management systems to meet SOGR needs?
  • How can transit operators balance demand, service and finances?
  • What tools and guidance are available to develop asset management programs?
  • How can operations efficiency and effectiveness be optimized through IT systems support, technology upgrades, and process improvement techniques?
  • How can transit agencies maintain competitiveness in their service operations?
  • How can the existing assets be best leveraged for generating new operating revenues?
  • What are the best practices in the development of asset inventories and how are transit agencies utilizing their inventories?
  • What are the different models and frameworks for capital investment prioritization?
  • How can the transit industry leverage the opportunities offered by public-private partnerships to maximize public benefits?
  • What are the innovative financing sources for meeting transit SOGR needs?
  • What can be done to garner political support at the local and regional levels to influence transit funding allocation at the national level?
  • What are the requirements and potential solutions for meeting transit workforce needs to ensure that assets remain in SOGR?

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Time Session Topics Speakers
8:00 onwards Registration and Tea / Coffee
9:00 – 10:00 Opening Remarks – Establishing SOGR Benchmarks Welcoming Remarks Richard Sarles, CEO Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)
FTA SOGR Initiative Bruce Robinson, Acting Deputy Associate Administrator, Office of Program Management, USDOT – Federal Transit Administration
SOGR Terms, definitions and measurement Edward Thomas, Senior Consultant, Global Mass Transit
10:00 – 11:45 US Transit Asset Management Case Studies Small Rhonda Jalbert, Capital Infrastructure Project Manager, Valley Regional Transit, Meridian, Idaho
Medium Paul Edwards, Capital Program Manager, Utah Transit Authority, Salt Lake City, Utah
Large Michael Connelly, Program Manager, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)
Discussions on lessons learned Facilitator – Dave Rose, Vice President, Strategic Consulting, Parsons Brinckerhoff
11:45 – 12:45 LUNCH
12:45 – 14:00 Systems Engineering Approach SE Strategy for SOGR David Springstead, Senior Director of Engineering & Development, Metropolitan Atlanta Regional Transportation Authority (MARTA)
Asset Life Cycle Analysis Kuldeep Gharatya, Head, Systems for Capital Programs, London Underground
Why Enterprise Asset Management (EAM)Should be the System of Record for SOGR Eric Bauer, Product Manager – EAM, Trapeze Group
Discussion on lessons learned Facilitator – Aaron James, Director – Office of Engineering, FTA
14:00 – 15:15 Transit Asset Management SGR Needs Assessment Models Richard Laver, Senior Consultant, CH2MHILL
Transit Agency Framework Luis Vassallo, Business Solutions Consultant – Supply Chain, Ventyx – an ABB company
Documenting Asset Conditions Phil Lamont, GM, Rail Car Heavy Maintenance, Chicago Transit Authority
Discussion on lessons learned Facilitator – Frank Martin, Atkins Engineering
15:15- 15:40 BREAK
15:40 – 16:45 Prioritizing SOGR Capital Investments Developing Asset Management Plans: Carol Kissal, CFO, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)
Developing and Managing Mega SOGR Projects – the New Haven Rail Yard: Mysore Nagraja, Chairman and Co-Founder, Spartan Solutions
Safety Considerations in Investment Prioritization: David Springstead, Senior Director of Engineering & Development, MARTA
Discussions on lessons learned Facilitator – Robert Peskin, Senior Consultant, AECOM
16:45 – 17:00 Day 1 Wrap-up Moderator – Kuldeep Gharatya

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Time Session Topics Speakers
8:00 onwards Tea / Coffee
9:00 – 9:15 Recap of Day 1 Moderator – Edward Thomas
9:15 – 10:30 Financing and Project Delivery Public Funding – Case Study of SOGR Program John McGee, Chief, New Payment Technologies, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA)
PPP Innovative Financing Bill McShane, Director of Sales, Philips Lighting
Innovative Project Delivery Methods for Street Cars Justin Augustine, CEO, New Orleans Regional Transit (NORTA)
Discussion on lessons learned Facilitator – Michael Schneider, Principal Owner, InfraConsult
10:30 – 12:00 Operations and Maintenance Performance Benefits of Reinvestment Kerry Hamill, Department Manager, Government and Community Relations, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART)
Leveraging Technology Assets to Improve Customer Service and Generate New Revenue Jim Baker, CEO, Xentrans
Leveraging Technology Assets for Rail Track Preventive Maintenance Wolfgang Kumpfhuber, International Sales Manager Railway Technology, MFL
Operational Transparency Robert Giacobbe, Senior Executive, Accenture
Discussion on lessons learned Facilitator – Paula Okunieff, Manager, Consystec
12:00 – 13:00 LUNCH
13:00 – 14:15 Human Resource Development Recruitment and Retention Strategies Flora Castillo, Board Member, New Jersey Transit (NJT)
NTI Asset Management Training Scott Baker, NTI Course Manager, AECOM
Labor-Management Partnerships Howard Roberts, VP, Sam Schwartz Engineering
Discussion on lessons learned Facilitator – Gordon Linton, former FTA Administrator and Principal Owner, 200consult
14:15 – 14:30 Concluding Remarks Moderator – Edward Thomas
14:30 onwards Tea / Coffee and Networking

Speakers will include policy-makers, operators, technology and service providers, specialist consultants and financiers. We are pleased to inform that Mr. Bruce Robinson, Acting Deputy Associate Administrator, Office of Program Management, USDOT – Federal Transit Administration, will address the opening session.

The confirmed speakers so far include (in alphabetic order):

  • Justine Augustine, CEO, New Orleans Regional Transit (NORTA)
  • Jim Baker, CEO, Xentrans
  • Scott Baker, NTI Course Manager, AECOM
  • Eric Bauer, Product Manager, Trapeze EAM
  • Flora Castillo, Board Member, New Jersey Transit (NJT)
  • Michael Connelly, Program Manager, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)
  • Paul Edwards, Capital Program Manager, Utah Transit Authority
  • Kuldeep Gharatya, Head, Systems for Capital Programs, London Underground
  • Robert Giacobbe, Senior Executive, Accenture
  • Kerry Hamill, Department Manager, Government and Community Relations, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART)
  • Rhonda Jalbert, Capital Infrastructure Project Manager, Valley Regional Transit, Meridian, Idaho
  • Aaron James, Director – Office of Engineering, FTA
  • Carol Kissal , CFO, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)
  • Wolfgang Kumpfhuber, International Sales Manager Railway Technology, MFL
  • Phil Lamont, GM, Rail Car Heavy Maintenance, Chicago Transit Authority
  • Richard Laver, Senior Consultant, CH2MHILL
  • Gordon Linton, former FTA Administrator and Principal Owner, 200consult
  • Frank Martin, Atkins Engineering
  • Bill McShane, Director of Sales, Philips Lighting
  • Mysore Nagraja, Co-Founder, Spartan Solutions
  • Paula Okunieff, Manager, Consystec
  • Robert Peskin, Senior Consultant, AECOM
  • Howard Roberts, VP, Sam Schwartz Engineering
  • Bruce Robinson, Acting Deputy Associate Administrator, Office of Program Management, USDOT – Federal Transit Administration
  • Dave Rose, Vice President, Strategic Consulting, Parsons Brinckerhoff
  • Michael Schneider, Principal Owner, InfraConsult
  • David Springstead, Senior Director of Engineering & Development, Metropolitan Atlanta Regional Transportation Authority (MARTA)
  • Edward Thomas, Senior Consultant, Global Mass Transit
  • Luis Vassallo, Business Solutions Consultant – Supply Chain, Ventyx – an ABB company

For speaking opportunities still available, please contact:

Edward L. Thomas
Global Mass Transit
Email: edward.thomas@globalmasstransit.net
Tel: +1-301-646-3301

Namrta Bangia
Global Mass Transit
Email:namrta.bangia@globalmasstransit.net
Mobile:+ 44 20 7097 5717

Who should attend

The event is expected to draw participation from top executives, managers and decision-makers from:

  • Public transport authorities and operating companies
  • Policymaking and regulatory bodies
  • Technology and service provider firms
  • Equipment manufacturing companies
  • Financiers and venture capitalists
  • Industry consultants
  • Research and development organizations
  • Technical institutes

Key benefits to participants

  • Gain insight on relevant issues for transit SOGR from various perspectives
  • Explore financing strategies for small, medium and large transit agencies
  • Share successful preventive and corrective maintenance practices for ageing rolling stock and safety-critical assets
  • Evaluate existing models and analytical tools for transit asset management
  • Discuss innovative financing strategies for reinvestment projects and new procurements
  • Network with transit agency managers and key industry players
  • Participate in interactive plenary discussions
  • Understand the scope of the global financial crisis and how transit agencies and private corporations are approaching the problem
  • Learn about the drivers of PPP in transit
  • Identify and analyze solutions and strategies for operations efficiency and effectiveness
  • Develop a comprehensive understanding of transit workforce requirements for meeting SOGR needs

Confirmed participants

The organizations that have already confirmed their participation include: 200consult, AATA, ABB, Accenture, AECOM, AGENCE METROPOLITAINE DE TRANSPORT (AMT), ALCATEL-LUCENT, Angarai, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), Anil Verma Associates, Apollo Video Technology, Atkins Engineering, Avail Technologies, BC Rapid Transit, Bombardier Transportation, CH2MHill, Calgary Transit, CDM Smith, Citrus Connection, Chicago Transit Authority, Clever Devices, Dallas Area Rapid Transit, Daniel Construction, ENSCO, FTA, Fluor Enterprises, GETS Global Signaling, GMV, Goldman Sachs, Harris, Hill International, InfraConsult, KLD Labs, LAKETRAN, LA MTA, Land Transport Authority, Lea+Elliott, London Underground, Longview Transit Management, Los Angeles County Metro, Maryland Transit Administration (MTA), MTA Long Island Rail Road, Maschinenfabrik Liezen, March Networks, Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Company, MEC Transportation, Metrolinx, Metropolitan Atlanta Regional Transportation Authority (MARTA), Metro Transit, MSI Global Pte Ltd, New Jersey Transit, New York City Transit (NYCT), New Orleans Regional Transit (NORTA), O’NEIL & ASSOCIATES, Orgo-Thermit, Parsons, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Penn Machine Company, Philips Lighting, Rio Metro RTD, RouteMatch Software, Radio Engineering Industries (REI), RTD- Denver, Scheidt & Bachmann, SEPSA NA, Sharon Greene + Associates, Siemens, Sound Transit, SporTran, Sumitomo Corporation of America, Schwartz Engineering, Spartan Solutions, The GBS Group, Trapeze Group, Triangle Transit, URS Corporation, Utah Transit Authority, Valley Regional Transit, Vehicle Service Group, Ventyx, WABTEC, WMATA and Xentrans.

DELEGATE FEES
 

Delegates Price
One delegate $1,500
Two delegates $2,400
Three delegates $3,300
Four delegates $4,200

(Conference fee includes lunch and tea/coffee for both days of the conference.)

There is a special low fee of $500 per delegate for mass transit operators and government agencies.

 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Payment Policy

  • Full payment must be received prior to the conference in US dollars ($).


Cancellations

  • Cancellation requests received in writing 30 days (February 7) before the date of the conference will be eligible for a full refund, minus a service charge/administration fee of USD150. We regret that no refunds will be made for any cancellation requests received less than 30 days prior to the conference.
  • Substitutions/name changes are welcome at no extra charge. Please send these in writing at least two days prior to the conference.


Disclaimer

  • Global Mass Transit shall assume no liability whatsoever in case the conference is postponed or cancelled due to a fortuitous event or unforeseen occurrence that renders its organization impractical, illegal or impossible. For purpose of this clause, a fortuitous event shall include, but not be limited to: war, fire, labor strike, extreme weather or other emergency. Global Mass Transit’s responsibility is limited to the return of registration fees only, and not any travel and accommodation costs.
  • Please note that it may become necessary for reasons beyond the control of the organizers to make alterations to the content and timing of the program or speakers.

 To register, send an email to registration@globalmasstransit.net

Sponsorship (Limited to four organizations)*

The conference will provide an excellent opportunity for organizations to showcase their products and services. The deliverables include:

  • Two delegate registrations (full conference)
  • Table space at the conference
  • Distribution of sponsor promotional material to each delegate
  • Logo presence at the conference
  • Acknowledgement on the conference website
  • A hyperlink to the organization’s website
  • Speaker slot (if relevant, subject to approval of organizers)

* Available on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

For further information, contact:
Yasmeen Chopra
Global Mass Transit
Email: yasmeen.chopra@globalmasstransit.net
Tel: +91-11-46113914
Mobile: +91-9555437913

Global Mass Transit is a leading provider of information and analysis on the global mass transit industry. It publishes the Global Mass Transit Report (a monthly newsletter) and Global Mass Transit Weekly (a weekly update). It also operates the www.globalmasstransit.net website.

Global Mass Transit provides information on all key developments, trends and issues in the sector. It tracks major projects, contracts and investments. It profiles leading mass transit authorities/operators and discusses their strategies. It reports on regulatory initiatives and examines their implementation. It provides the latest available data and statistics. It also features the views and perspectives of experts and top industry players.

Our clients include leading global organizations such as Accenture, Acciona Infraestructuras, AECOM, Agence Metropolitaine de Transport (AMT), Ansaldo STS, AnsaldoBreda SpA, Ashok Leyland, BAE Systems, Bombardier Transportation, CAF, Clever Devices, Confidex Limited, Corredor Insurgentes SA de CV (CISA), DB Stadtverkehr GmbH, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, EvoBus GmbH (Daimler), GFI Genfare, Giesecke & Devrient GmbH, Halcrow, Harrington-Hughes & Associates Incorporated, Hoft & Wessel AG, HOK, HUBNER GmbH, IMG Consulting, INIT AG, IVU Traffic Technologies AG, KEOLIS, Knorr-Bremse SfS GmbH, Land Transport Authority Singapore, Luminator, Metropolitana Milanese SpA, Mobitec, NXP Semiconductors, Parker Hannifin Corporation, Poyry PLC, PricewaterhouseCoopers, RATP, Ringrollers – a division of DCD DORBYL, Rogers Corporation, Selectron Systems AG, Serco, Siemens, SNC-Lavalin, Sojitz Corporation, Swissrail, Tait Radio, Tata Realty and Infrastructure Limited, Technatomy Corporation, TEMSA Europe NV, Thales Rail Signalling Solutions, Thetis SpA, Traktionssysteme Austria, Trapeze Group, Unipart Rail, VDV-Kernapplikations GmbH & Co. KG, Vossloh Espana, WorleyParsons, ZF Friedrichshafen AG, etc.

Conference Venue:

WILLARD INTERCONTINENTAL
1401 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20004-1010, USA
Tel: 1-202-628-9100 Fax: 1-202-637-7326

 

 

Hotel Stay:

JW Marriott Washington, DC
1331 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20004 USA
Tel: 1-202-393-2000 Fax: 1-202-626-6991

Please contact:

Lanita Hatcher
Tel: 202-626-2605 or
Central reservations at 1-877-212-5852
Email: lanita.hatcher@marriott.com

For registration and sponsorship opportunities:

Yasmeen Chopra
Global Mass Transit
Email: yasmeen.chopra@globalmasstransit.net
Tel: +91-11-46113914
Mobile: +91-9555437913

 

For speaking opportunities:

Edward L. Thomas
Global Mass Transit
Email: edward.thomas@globalmasstransit.net
Tel: +1-301-646-3301

Namrta Bangia
Global Mass Transit
Email: namrta.bangia@globalmasstransit.net
Mobile:+ 44 20 7097 5717

 

To register, email us at registration@globalmasstransit.net or visit us at www.globalmasstransit.net

Sponsors: