MEDIA ADVISORY - Montréal to Host the 2014 APTA Rail Conference

Monday, June 16

8:30 – 10 a.m.
Palais des congress de Montréal
Level 5, Room 517D

OPENING GENERAL SESSION: America’s Future is Riding on Public Transportation

President & CEO Welcome:

-Michael P. Melaniphy, president & CEO, APTA

Presiding:

-Peter Varga, Chair, APTA, and Chief Executive Officer, Interurban Transit Partnership (The Rapid)

Welcomes:

-Michael W. Roschlau, Ph.D., President & Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Urban Transit Association

Remarks:

-Yves Desjardins-Siciliano, President and Chief Executive Officer, VIA Rail Canada

-Nicolas Girard, President and CEO, AMT

-Honorable Robert Poëti, Québec Minister of Transport

-Philippe Schnobb, Chairman, STM

- Aref Salem, Executive Committee Member responsible for transportation, City of Montréal

APTA's Sustainability Commitment Gold-Level Recognition of STM:

-Peter Varga

Remarks and 22nd Annual International Rail Rodeo Awards:

-Michael P. Melaniphy

Sponsor Recognition:

-Angela Iannuzziello, Vice President, Canada National Transit Market Sector Lead, AECOM,Toronto

Invitation to APTA's 2014 Annual Meeting & EXPO:

-Jeffrey Wharton, President, IMPulse NC LLC, Mount Olive, NC

-Scott Grogan, Senior Director, Rail Operations, Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Houston, TX

10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Fare Collection System Technologies: Architectures, Hardware & Mobile Apps

Fare collection systems continue their evolution, including their infrastructure and architecture. This session examines the range of innovations in fare collection, from system integration solutions to mobile ticketing, the customer and transit agency experience is changing dramatically.

10:30 – 12 p.m.

When Mother Nature Strikes

As a result of inclement weather, natural disasters, and security concerns of the past few years, transit system, their suppliers, and other entities have come to understand the urgency of preparedness in the advent of a catastrophic event.  Examine the protective measures, best practices, and lessons learned from agencies who were prepared for the worst and recovered from the aftermath of disaster.

10:30 – 12 p.m.

HOST FORUM: Montréal in the Era of Sustainable Mobility

Public transportation in Greater Montréal is experiencing strong growth that translates into ridership records year after year.  AMT and STM will present the factors that have given a fresh impetus to public transportation, in keeping with a sustainable mobility perspective. Participants will also discover innovative web 2.0 approaches that aim to establish more direct and relevant

relationships with public transit customers.

12 – 3 p.m.

Rail Products & Services Showcase

Registrants can view the products and obtain information relating to the rail

products and services on display. Expert personnel are on hand to answer your questions as you inspect what's new and innovative in the world of rail equipment and services.

2:30 – 4 p.m.

GENERAL SESSION: USDOT Update
Join U.S. Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph C. Szabo and U.S. Federal Transit Deputy Administrator Therese McMillan for what promises to be a dynamic session with these two modal administrators and their senior leadership teams.  Important program updates and initiatives will be covered, along with the president’s budget, the Grow America bill, and the Administration’s views on rail and transit legislation pending before Congress.

4:30 – 6 p.m.

PTC Technology

The date is closing in, and there remains a great deal to do to achieve a nationwide interoperable PTC system. Communications systems, testing issues, the possibility of shared services, and alternative technologies are all in play. This session will offer discussions on the technical issues that need resolution, including lessons learned in implementation and system test experience.

Tuesday, June 17

8:30 – 10 a.m.

Advances in Rail Corridor Safety PART I: Grade Crossings
This is the first of two sessions that investigate the inherent risks involved in rail corridor operations that simply aren’t going away anytime soon, namely risks associated with grade crossings, right-of-way worker protection, and the blending of multiple transportation modes in a single corridor.  Innovative technologies and practices currently being used or evaluated to address these long-standing challenges will be discussed

10:30 a. m. – 12 p.m.

Driverless/Automated Rail

Converting existing systems in North America to full automation when upgrading the train control system ― as has and is being done by other transit systems around the world ― could potentially provide many benefits to

both passengers, owners, and operators of these systems.

10:30 a. m. – 12 p.m.

The Future of High-Speed Rail

How does vision shape engineering? What motivates decision makers (policymakers and riders) to champion or use trains, and view them as part of the future of transportation as a whole? Learn about a university consortium study looking at just that question, and hear from an eclectic panel as they

examine how "l’imaginaire" shapes projects.

12:15 – 2 p.m.

GENERAL LUNCHEON: Rail Safety & Security Excellence Awards

Celebrate the legacy of the safety awards program, showcasing safety and security programs for 100 years with APTA and its predecessor associations.

Join this unique, commemorative event to honor the past, present, and future innovations in public transportation safety and recognize the contributions of individuals, agencies, and businesses.

4:30 – 6 p.m.

International Security for Public Transport -- Do We All Face the Same Issues?

The rail industry has maintained strong programs and strategies to provide security for its services and infrastructure within a broad range of daily “quality of life” issues, to the extreme of counter-terrorism measures. Listen to a very informative session that will help agencies understand the threats, challenges, and innovative approaches being deployed around the world.

4:30 – 6 p.m.

High-Speed Rail: North American Projects

Building new corridors, updating existing corridors, and laying the ground work for future service: high-speed rail is changing the North American landscape. Come hear the latest on four very different

projects, and learn how they are impacting their local regions.

Wednesday, June 18

8:30 – 10:30 a.m.

Emerging Technology

Modern rail transit systems represent massive deployment of a wide range of technologies and are fertile ground for an equally wide range of new ideas. This session will explore exciting new developments in propulsion, energy and surveillance techniques.

9 – 10:30 a.m.

Advances in Rail Corridor Safety PART II: Right-of-Way Worker Protection

This is the second of two sessions that investigate the inherent risks involved in rail corridor operations, and what the industry is doing to mitigate them to the lowest acceptable (and practical) levels. We’ll discuss innovative approaches to long-standing challenges, including right-of-way worker protection, grade-crossing environments, and the blending of mixed uses in and around rail corridors.

10:45 a.m. – 12 p.m.

CLOSING GENERAL SESSION: Rail – The 21st Century’s Economic

Powerhouse

Come hear the findings of new studies on the economic impact of rail in the Northeast Corridor, Philadelphia, Chicago, Dallas, and the economic benefits these systems provide to the regions they serve.