METROLINK 2019 RAIL SAFETY SUMMIT
Featuring NTSB Member Jennifer Homendy, LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger and Master of Ceremonies Conan Nolan
Metro Board Member, Metrolink Director
Conan Nolan
September is Rail Safety Month in the State of California. As safety is Metrolink’s foundational value, the agency is hosting a Rail Safety Summit on Thursday, September 12, at the Sheraton Grand in downtown Los Angeles.
The Metrolink Safety Summit will bring together transportation leaders, government officials, and rail industry professionals from across the globe to share knowledge and best practices on improving transportation safety. The Safety Summit will also feature panel discussions on the latest technology innovations that reduce incidents along the right of way, Positive Train Control and the many ways mental health influences rail safety and security.
The Sheraton Grand is conveniently located on the 7th and Metro stop. Ride any Metrolink train free to the Rail Safety Summit by showing your Eventbrite ticket to the conductor.
‘Partner in Safety’ sponsorships are still available. If you are interested in being a Partner in Safety Sponsor or have any questions, please contact us at [email protected] or call 909-743-5066 by September 5th. For more information about sponsorship opportunities follow this link.
If you are interested in being an exhibitor at our Rail Safety Summit please visit this link for more information or click on the exhibitor button below to register.
'PARTNER IN SAFETY' SPONSORS
SAFETY SUMMIT AGENDA
September 12, 2019
Sheraton Grand Hotel
711 S. Hope Street, Los Angeles, CA 90017
8:00 AM REGISTRATION / BREAKFAST
California Ballroom
8:15 AM OPENING REMARKS
Conan Nolan ǀ Master of Ceremonies, NBC4 Chief Political Reporter
Brian Humphrey ǀ Chairman, Metrolink Board
Stephanie Wiggins ǀ Chief Executive Officer, Metrolink
8:30 AM MORNING KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Honorable Jennifer Homendy ǀ National Transportation Safety Board Member
9:30 AM MORNING BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Session #1: Grade Crossing and Right of Way Safety
The Wiltern Room
Moderator: Narayana Sundaram ǀ Senior Director of Standards, Engineering & Commuter Rail Operations, American Public Transportation Association
Panelists:
Darrell Fizer ǀ Senior Manager of Safety, Security and Compliance, Metrolink ǀ Former FRA Staff
Jason Seccombe ǀ Signal Engineer/Technologist, Pacific Railway Enterprises, Inc.
Michael Steffens | Senior Manager of Rail Solutions, HNTB
Danielle Libring ǀ Senior Project Manager, RailPros, Inc.
Topic:
Grade crossing and trespasser incidents are on the rise. What can be done to address this issue?
These panelists will discuss some of the latest technological solutions that can be used to make
the right-of-way and crossings safer.
Session #2: A Discussion on Mental Health & Rail Safety
The El Capitan Room
Moderator: Honorable Kathryn Barger ǀ Los Angeles County Supervisor, District 5 ǀ Metro Board Member ǀ Metrolink Director
Panelists:
Kita Curry, PhD ǀ President/Chief Executive Officer, Didi Hirsch
Geoffrey Deedrick ǀ Lieutenant, Los Angeles County Sheriff Department
Hilary Konczal ǀ Chief Safety & Environmental Officer, Metra
Nancy Sheehan ǀ Executive Director, California Operation Lifesaver
Andrew Martin ǀ Road Foreman, Amtrak
Topic:
Speakers in this session have worked in various fields and each will provide a unique
perspective of how rail safety remains an issue and what can be done to reduce mental
health related rail incidents.
Session #3: Positive Train Control (PTC) Simulator Tour
Meet at registration tables for shuttle to Los Angeles Union Station (Advanced Reservation Required)
12:00 LUNCH
California Ballroom
12:15 LUNCH PANEL DISCUSSION
Building and Maintaing a Safety Culture After the Tragic Chatsworth Incident
California Ballroom
Moderator: Richard Katz | Former California Assemblymember | Former Metrolink Board Chairman
Panelists:
Current and former Metrolink Board Members
Topic:
On the 11th anniversary of the Chatsworth Incident, panelists will reflect on actions taken after
Chatsworth to create a safety culture while looking forward to keeping safety as a core value.
1:15 PM AFTERNOON REMARKS
Brian Humphrey ǀ Chairman, Metrolink Board
Stephanie Wiggins ǀ Chief Executive Officer, Metrolink
1:30 PM AFTERNOON BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Session #1: PTC Now and Into the Future
The Wiltern Room
Moderator: Darrell Maxey ǀ Chief, Mobilization, Transition and Special Projects, Metrolink
Panelists:
Chris Jagodzinski ǀ Assistant Vice President of Operations, Amtrak
Bob Brendza ǀ General Director - Train Control Systems, BNSF
Paulo Vieira ǀ Scientist - C&TC, Transportation Technology Center, Inc.
Mark Delaney ǀ Director PTC Engineering, Metra
Gregory M. Richardson ǀ General Director - Train Control Systems, Union Pacific Railroad
Topic:
Panelists will discuss PTC, provide updates and explore how the technology will evolve for
railroads across the nation in the future.
Session #2: Quiet Zone Implementation
The El Capitan Room
Moderator: ǀ Honorable Walter Allen III ǀ Councilman, City of Covina ǀ Metrolink Board Member
Panelists:
Nathan Mustafa ǀ City Traffic Engineer and Mobility Planning Manager, City of Riverside
Joe Petito ǀ Railroad Safety Specialist - Grade Crossing and Trespass Division, Federal Railroad Administration
Mark Christoffels ǀ Chief Engineer, San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments
Anton Garabetian ǀ Program and Project Supervisor, Rail Crossings and Engineering Branch, Rail Safety Division, CPUC
Topic:
Panelists will discuss quiet zone benefits for communities and cities, how to apply for one, costs
and the steps necessary to implement. Panelists with experience in Quiet Zone Implementation
will provide firsthand information and insight on the process, benefits and impacts.
Session #3: Positive Train Control (PTC) Simulator Tour (Full)
Meet at registration tables for shuttle to Los Angeles Union Station (Advanced Reservation Required)
2:30 PM CONCLUSION