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• Kinkisharyo International L.L.C. announced yesterday that the prototype of its LFX-300 — a hybrid streetcar designed for the North American market — would "arrive" in the United States in mid-December and, following a series of tests, be "unveiled" in Charlotte, N.C., in January 2011, according to a prepared statement. A 100 percent low-floor, dual-powered vehicle, the LFX-300 is propelled either by overhead electric catenary or onboard battery power. It's compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act as well as Buy America and NFPA-130 requirements, according to Kinkisharyo.

• Marsh appointed James Michel senior vice president in the firm's global rail practice. Michel, who has more than 35 years of freight- and passenger-rail design and operations experience, most recently served as HNTB Corp.'s national director of intercity passenger rail.

• Parsons Brinckerhoff named Steve Reffitt U.K. operations director. Reffitt has nearly 30 years of engineering and construction industry experience, including stints with WSP, Atkins and Taylor Woodrow Construction.

• The Swedish Transport Administration has commissioned Peab to carry out two projects (total contract value: $25.3 million) at a double-track railway built between central Sodertalje and the Port of Sodertalje. Work includes rebuilding a station area, including a new pedestrian area and platforms, and constructing three single-track bridges with adjacent retaining walls.