Rail supplier news from GE, Stantec, Yusen, CTLGroup and Frauscher (Dec. 8)

Australian Rail Track Corp. (ARTC) has selected GE Transportation's Movement Planner software to provide real-time traffic planning and optimization for the Hunter Valley coal rail network. The control center for the network manages 24,000 metric tons of freight per hour, ARTC officials said in a press release. GE's software develops an optimized traffic plan by weighing multiple factors such as train schedules, traffic-control systems and train movements relative to each other. Movement Planner's Network Viewer and Network Optimizer modules will be implemented progressively on the Hunter Valley network through 2018 and 2019. The rail network is one of the busiest and most complex in Australia, said ARTC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer John Fullerton.

Stantec and Amec Foster Wheeler have been awarded a contract to provide technical advisory, design and construction support services for Metrolinx's Bowmanville rail expansion. The project involves building 12.4 miles of track to extend GO Transit rail service along the Lakeshore East corridor from Oshawa to Bowmanville, Ontario. Stantec and Amec will provide technical services related to the addition of two GO Transit tracks, a new layover facility, four new stations, grade separations and bridge expansions, several culvert and grade crossing modifications and associated utility work. Metrolinx aims to complete construction by 2023, Stantec officials said in a press release.

Yusen Logistics has reached an agreement to acquire Tibbett Logistics, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Keswick Enterprises Group. The acquisition is subject to regulatory approval by Romanian authorities. Established in Romania in 2010, Tibbett Logistics provides contract logistics, warehousing, transportation and intermodal services. The company also manages the Bucharest international freight-rail container terminal. The acquisition will provide Yusen with an established network of warehousing, intermodal and trucking operations in the country, Yusen officials said in a press release. Financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed.

CTLGroup has named Dennis McCann vice president and chief operating officer. He succeeds Tim Tonyan, who left the company to pursue new opportunities. McCann joined CTLGroup in 2011 as principal engineer. During his time at the company, he  led efforts in structural performance assessment, structural monitoring and failure investigation, company officials said in a press release. Throughout his 20-year career, McCann has led complex projects in the building, energy, industrial, transportation and civil infrastructure sectors.

The Fiber Optic Sensing Association (FOSA) has elected four board members. Frauscher Sensor Technology USA Inc.'s Vivek Caroli, Omnisens SA's Geoffroy Lacoin and OZ Optics' Gordon Youle were re-elected to serve two-year terms. In addition, Prysmian's Greg Williams was elected as the board's secretary. Mike Hines rose from vice chair to chair, while Youle became treasurer. Founded in April, FOSA aims to provide a map of distributed fiber optic sensing installations around the globe.