MTA names Warren chief safety officer

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) in New York City has appointed Patrick Warren chief safety officer.

He'll work with MTA agencies on improving work practices and investing in new technology and equipment, MTA officials said in a press release.

Before joining the MTA, Warren worked for the Federal Railroad Administration, where he served as deputy associate administrator for the Office of Railroad Safety and later as executive director.

Warren also served in the U.S. Army as a commander.

"Patrick's experience at the Federal Railroad Administration, as well as his work on safety projects in other roles within transportation, makes him uniquely qualified to push forward our ongoing safety initiatives," said MTA Chairman Joseph Lhota.

Warren will be the agency's second chief safety officer. He succeeds David Mayer, who left to serve as chief executive officer of the Metrorail Safety Commission, which provides safety oversight for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority's rail system.

Meanwhile, the MTA appointed Arthur Troup senior program executive for its East Side Access project to bring MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) service into Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan.

He currently serves as deputy general manager for the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority — a position he began two years ago. He held a similar role at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority from 2010 to 2015.

At both agencies, Troup was responsible for executing multibillion dollar, five-year capital budgets. He also represented WMATA on the first phase of its Silver Line extension and facilitated initial testing and delivery of the agency's latest rail cars.

From 1979 through 1995, Troup worked for Amtrak's New York division, where he served as system manager for multiple projects, including Secaucus Junction Station work and wayside reconfiguration.