Rail supplier news from Alstom, ACEC, Urban Engineers, Macro, Parsons and Unipart Rail (March 6)

Alstom, in partnership with Barletta Heavy Division, has signed an $80 million contract to upgrade and modernize the signaling systems on the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's Red and Orange subway lines. Alstom will provide digital audio frequency technology and replacement of the existing relay-based train control with a microprocessor-based train control interlocking. The company also will supply its AFTC5 track circuits and new Model 5F wayside switch machines, upgrade to LED signals and install fully wired central instrument houses.

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority’s positive train control (PTC) program earned an award for “exemplary engineering achievement” from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) for Burns Engineering's role in the systemwide implementation, according to an ACEC press release. SEPTA is among the nation's first transit systems to complete the federally mandated installation of PTC for its 474-mile, 13-line network. 

Urban Engineers has promoted Robert Tuttle to office manager in western Pennsylvania. Tuttle will provide project and construction management for rail and transit projects, including new, expanded and renovated rail maintenance shops; track replacement; track installation; employee welfare and storage facilities. Tuttle previously served as project manager at Urban Engineers and will continue to manage the firm’s construction management freight efforts for private rail clients.

Macro, a division of consulting and design firm Ross & Baruzzini Inc., has hired Sean Kennedy as director of business development. A former senior director at Amtrak, Kennedy will be the planner, designer and project management partner for the mobility and communications systems engineering consultancy firm, according to a Macro press release. 

Parsons will relocate its headquarters from Pasadena, California, to its existing facility in Centreville, Virginia, Parsons announced in a press release. The Virginia location has Parsons’ largest concentration of employees worldwide, and many of Parsons' largest customers in the defense and intelligence markets are  headquartered in District of Columbia area. Parsons provides digitally enabled solutions focused on infrastructure, defense and security. 

Unipart Rail, a rail technology and supply chain solutions provider, fully acquired Westcode U.K. Ltd and Westcode Inc., a manufacturer and repairer of air supply equipment and door systems for transit companies. George Tillier will manage the U.S. operation and Graham Jackson will lead the U.K. branch of the business.