Rail supplier updates from NRC, Cubic, MERMEC, Hatch Mott MacDonald and SISCOG (July 8)

The National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association (NRC) has announced a college scholarship for tuition assistance for children or grandchildren of NRC members. This year, the NRC will offer two $2,000 scholarships in memory of Vinnie Vaccarello, an NRC member and co-president of All Railroad Services Corp., and Patsy Crisafi, an NRC safety committee member and executive vice president of Roadway Worker Training Inc., both of whom died in a plane crash last year. The awards will be sent to recipients at the beginning of the next term of study. Students must attend college or university for a full year following the award's receipt. The application deadline is Aug. 30.

Cubic Transportation Systems designed and integrated the TAP universal payment system for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which began gate latching in June. The latching of the gates ushers in a new era of partnership between LACMTA, Metrolink and its municipal operators to create a seamless regional transit network bound by TAP technology throughout L.A. County, according to a Cubic press release.

MERMEC S.p.A.'s board has elected Andrea Certo chief executive officer of the MERMEC Group. He will lead the development and execution of the group's short- and long-term strategies, reinforce the brand and strengthen the company's worldwide presence. Certo has held senior international positions in various industries, including PM Group's subsidiary Oil & Steel S.p.A., United Technologies Carrier, Sant'Andrea Novara S.p.A. and Transfor SA.

Hatch Mott MacDonald will move today to a new headquarters in Iselin, N.J. In addition to serving as the corporate headquarters, the new offices will house engineering design groups that provide services in the areas of transportation, water, wastewater, municipal and environmental engineering.

During the CIO Awards 2013 program held last week, the Lisbon Metro in Portugal received honorable mention for its software PLAGO — Optimized Resource Planning and Real-time Operations Management system. Developed by Portuguese technology company SISCOG and Link Consulting, PLAGO is an integrated and optimized system designed to manage time and track occupation, vehicles and staff.