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• Alstom and its partner Transmashholding (TMH) have signed a memorandum of understanding with the city of Saint Petersburg, Russia, to develop a modern tramway network. Terms call for Alstom and TMH to develop a new, modular express tramway that’s adapted to the region’s climate conditions. Alstom and TMH also will provide consulting services related to the organization of urban transport networks, according to an Alstom press release.

• CalAmp Corp. has obtained a $4.7 million extension of its development contract to help design and supply initial radios for the North American interoperable positive train control system, according to a company press release. The contract extension increases the number of pre-production radios that CalAmp will deliver for field testing and early deployment by North American Class Is. The extension brings the contract’s total worth to $19 million.

• Cummins Inc. announced plans to invest $24 million over three years to expand research and development at its North Charleston, S.C., technical center. The technical center will be capable of running a variety of engines and test a range of fuels, according to a company press release. Plans call for hiring 31 new engineers, mechanical technicians and electrical technicians immediately, with more hires to come in the future.

• The Federal Railroad Administration’s Office of Safety-Track Division has purchased multiple rMetrix® portable ride performance assessment systems for performing vehicle characterization studies, and vehicle and track interaction analysis, according to a dFuzion Inc. press release. Designed for the individual rail inspector, the rMetrix can measure and analyze real-time ride quality, safety and comfort metrics in accordance with worldwide standards. It eliminates logistics and costs associated with a dedicated test vehicle, dFuzion said.

• International Fuel Technology Inc. (IFT) has been expanding its market for diesel fuel additives in Western and Eastern Europe, company officials said in a prepared statement. Both Romanian rail operator Regiotrans SRL and Polish rail operator PKP LHS have begun field validation programs using DiesoLiFT™ 10. In addition, the National Railway Co. of Belgium (SNCB) signed a memorandum of understanding to conduct a field test to determine fuel economy benefits of DiesoLiFT 10. Also, sales to the United Kingdom rail market are expected to grow “rapidly in the years ahead, aided by the affiliation with Unipart Group,” IFT officials said.

• The HAKS Group Inc. has appointed Elliot “Lee” Sander president and chief executive officer. Sander formerly was CEO of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority. He will be responsible for HAKS’  national international offices, and will work with Chairman and Co-founder Husam Ahmad to expand the firm’s global operations. Sander’s experience also includes service as a commissioner and director of transit of the New York Department of Transportation.

• Hatch Mott MacDonald has named Michael Loehr senior vice president and U.S. practice leader-rail and transit. In his new role, Loehr will guide the practice’s growth. He has more than 33 years of worldwide experience in the engineering, design and construction of railroad and transit projects, including commuter-rail facilities, freight-rail installations and railway bridges, the firm’s officials said in a prepared statement.