The Tracsis team was on hand to discuss the transformative impact of the latest rail technology when a record-breaking crowd of almost 2,000 delegates gathered in San Francisco for the 2025 American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Rail Conference.
Tracsis US President Chris Jackson, Vice President Rail & Transit Marcelo Bravo and Chief of Technology Andy Kunzmann spoke with numerous customers and industry partners about new data-driven solutions in areas such as Computer-Aided Dispatching, Remote Condition Monitoring, and workforce planning [2] at the Tracsis booth in the Products & Services Showcase. VP Rail & Transit, Marcelo Bravo also addressed the APTA Commuter Rail Chief Operating Officers Subcommittee.
Held from June 29 to July 2, the APTA Rail Conference, presented by HNTB and hosted by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (Muni) and BART, was attended by representatives of all rail modes across public transportation – urban, commuter, high-speed, and intercity. An opportunity to network and attend more than 45 educational workshops and seminars, the APTA Conference followed a two-day high-speed rail seminar, which explored how the development of a sustainable, nationwide high-speed and intercity rail system would be a catalyst for future growth.
Topics at the 2025 APTA Rail Conference included:
Emerging trends and the utilization of rail technology to optimize performance
How passenger rail operators are continuing to adapt to shifting ridership trends by adjusting schedules and fare policies
How AI can enhance efficiency, safety and passenger rail experience through applications like intelligent CCTV and rail technology innovations such as predictive maintenance
The impact of innovative transit passes and contactless fare payment systems on public transportation
Developments in integrated Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) for light rail, and high-performance Automatic Train Operation (ATO) systems for complex, high-capacity mainline infrastructure
Updates about looming regulatory changes impacting passenger rail
Next-Gen rail maintenance: real-time monitoring and predictive analytics
Advancements in Light Rail Vehicle (LRV) technology, design, and performance, including impact on operational efficiency, accessibility features, and sustainable energy options.
Techniques and strategies utilized by transit agencies to advance and accelerate rail projects
The process of developing and implementing standards for rail and transit systems, including technical specifications, safety protocols, and operational guidelines.
Advancing Passenger Rail
“We want to thank the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) and San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (Muni) for hosting this important annual event during a pivotal time for our industry,” said APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas. “With its rich history in advancing passenger rail, San Francisco is the ideal location this year for industry leaders to come together and exchange insights, explore advancements, and drive tangible progress within the rail transit sector.”
During the conference, APTA announced the winners of the 2025 Rail Safety, Security and Emergency Management Awards, which celebrate the innovation and dedication of public transit agencies and their employees.
Gold awards were presented to Maryland Transit Administration (MD MTA), Baltimore, Maryland; Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit, New York, New York; Caltrain, San Carlos, California; MTA LIRR, New York, New York; Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet), Portland, Oregon; Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), Washington D.C.; and MTA Metro-North Railroad, New York, New York. Certificates of merit were awarded to MTA Metro-North Railroad, New York, New York; MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), New York, New York; Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), Santa Clara, California; MTA Metro-North Railroad, New York, New York; and Connecticut Department of Transportation (CT DOT), Newington, Connecticut.
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