Outlook 2018: Ray Sipes, R.J. Corman Signaling LLC

Positive train control (PTC) has been a spike in a demand for signaling companies as railroads work to be fully compliant by Dec. 31, 2018. We expect that high levels of contract signal work will continue through early 2018, with a decline of work later in the year. As the signal economy slows later in the year and early in 2019, we expect a shift in signaling demand to a focus on highway grade crossing protection, wayside signaling and capacity work.

At R. J. Corman, we have been building an organization that can weather the coming changes brought on by the completion of PTC. By building a turnkey solution for all things signal related, we expect to earn a larger share of a shrinking market. Our complete solution includes signal maintenance, signal design, wiring and assembling signal houses and equipment, construction, material warehousing and logistics, as well as commissioning and configuration management.

Also, being one of many facets of R. J. Corman’s portfolio of services to the railroad industry gives us the capability of working projects requiring both track and signal work. One company executing complete track and signal projects minimizes inefficiencies and conflicts associated with multiple contractors. By us owning the complete solution, the client’s project is delivered cost effectively with quality and reliability.