PTC: Strategies for a Smooth Deployment?

Gordon Mott is the AAR’s Program Manager for Positive Train Control Policy, a position he has held since 2009. Before joining AAR, Mr. Mott consulted for a wide array of rail organizations, including the Millennium Challenge Agency-Mongolia, HNTB Corporation and the Finger Lakes Railway. Earlier in his career, Mr. Mott served as the Federal Railroad Administration’s Special Assistant to the Director for Northeast Corridor Improvement. He has worked for the Department of Defense as Principal Railroad Advisor in Baghdad, and spent 20 years with CSX, eventually serving as the firm’s Assistant Vice President for Passenger Integration.

In 2004, Mr. Mott was awarded the Medal for Exceptional Public Service from the Office of the Secretary of Defense and was named Honorary Director General of Iraqi Republic Railways. He is a past board member of the American Association of Railroad Superintendents, is a member of AREMA’s Committee 29 on Advanced Train Control Systems, and chairs the Transportation Research Board’s Committee AR030 on Railroad Operating Technologies.

Alan Polivka is the assistant vice president of communication for train control and IT at the Transportation Technology Center, Inc. Polivaka is responsible for all communications, train control (PTC) and information technology work at TTCI (including R&D, system engineering, safety risk assessment, consulting, project management, testing and training). He is also currently providing Positive Train Control consulting to several large commuter agencies. Previously, Polivka held the position of Chief Engineer for PTC projects at GE-Harris. Prior to that, system engineer and designer of mission-critical aerospace, communication systems, control systems, and networks at Harris Corp.

Jeff Young joined Union Pacific Railroad in 1976 at Idaho Falls, Idaho in the Transportation department. Since that time Jeff has held various positions in the Operating and Information Technology departments. In 1987 Jeff was appointed to the position of Director – Advanced Train Control Systems and for the past twenty years has been involved with the development and implementation of communication based operating and control systems. Jeff is currently the Chairman of the AAR’s PTC Policy Committee. Jeff regularly represents Union Pacific or the rail industry in technical conferences and government proceedings. He currently is responsible for UP’s new Computer Aided Dispatching System, Communications Based Train Control System, Advanced Terminal Management Systems and all other transportation related technology for Union Pacific.

Steve Zwart has been with Alstom for 10 years and is currently the Director of Positive Train Control, making him responsible for meeting the North American market’s needs for both turnkey PTC solutions as well as individual PTC Products. Prior to his current position, Mr. Zwart oversaw large system projects including the development and commissioning of a fleet of Diesel Electric AC Propulsion Locomotives, the development and commissioning of a fleet of 265 passenger cars, and the introduction of condition-based maintenance technologies for New Jersey Transit’s locomotive fleet. Steve was also the Alstom project manager for the design, development, and commissioning of ACSES (Advanced Civil Speed Enforcement System) for installation by Amtrak on the North East Corridor, now in revenue service for 10 years. Prior to his being with Alstom, Mr. Zwart worked in the software industry as well as for Eastman Kodak. He has an Electrical Engineering degree from SUNY Buffalo and a Masters in Management from Roberts Wesleyan College.

 
Moderator
 Progressive Railroading
 2100 W. Florist Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53209
black line
speaker biographies Russelectric Siemens Presenter Rochester Midland Corp Tork TimeMist