Rail supplier news from MERMEC, ENSCO, Xplore and HNTB (April 13)

Bay Area Rapid Transit has given a notice to proceed to MERMEC for the design, furnishing and delivery of a track geometry car. The custom-designed track recording car will inspect and measure the agency's 104 miles of rail in the San Francisco area. The self-propelled, broad gauge vehicle is derived from MERMEC's "ROGER MM 600" basic model. It'll be equipped with several non-contact optoelectronics systems, including a new "all-in-one" integrated track geometry, full rail profile and turnout geometry measuring system, which allows data acquisition even when the car isn't moving. The data streams are then gathered into MERMEC's "TrackWare" review and analysis software suite. 

ENSCO Rail Inc. has delivered a track geometry and corrugation measurement system to the Shanghai Metro. The system includes small, self-calibrated digital sensors that allow increased sensitivity, company officials said in a press release. As a result, these sensors can take measurements at a wide range of speeds. Additionally, the system contains fewer parts and less cabling complexity than existing systems. This is the second ENSCO system that's been delivered to Shanghai Metro.

Xplore Technologies Corp. has been awarded a $1 million order for its Xplore Bobcat tablet computers from a U.S. railroad. The company did not disclose the name of the railroad in a press release. The tablets have a 14-hour battery life and an IP65 rating to protect against dust and liquids. In addition to the tablets, the railroad ordered a docking solution and an optional secondary battery. The technology is aimed at helping the railroad achieve cost savings and increased mobility in its yards, Xplore officials said in the release.

HNTB Corp. hired Lori Katzman as senior project manager and vice president in the firm's rail transit group. She's based in New York City. Before joining the firm, Katzman was vice president of MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), where she led the agency's participation in the $10 billion East Side access program. She also worked on the Hudson Yards development project and led multiple project management and technical efforts for LIRR's safety and security programs.