U.S. DOT and FRA celebrate 50 years of transportation technology research as Center expands its transportation focus.
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and ENSCO, Inc. celebrated 50 years of transportation research and development at the Transportation Technology Center (TTC) in Pueblo, CO, during an event with federal and state government officials and commercial transportation representatives welcoming in a new era at the TTC. The TTC is owned by the U.S. Department of Transportation and FRA and is under a new operations contract with ENSCO, Inc., a globally recognized leader in transportation, aerospace and national security technologies. The site is utilized for a variety of government research, testing and training programs and is home to the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Surface Transportation Security Readiness Facility.
“Our event today with the FRA, TSA and leadership from railroad and surface transportation operators and suppliers reflects the government and the private sector’s commitment to transportation safety, the efficient movement of people and goods, and a continuing dedication to improving transportation technology and workforce development.
“ENSCO and our partners at the TTC look forward to supporting the FRA in the modernization of this important facility and to expanding its use for state-of-the-art research, testing and training programs. We also thank members of the Pueblo community who joined us today and we are excited to support the economic growth in the Southern Colorado region.”
In March 2021, the FRA awarded the TTC contract to ENSCO, Inc. following a competitive proposal review process and the company assumed operational responsibilities for the TTC on October 1, 2022. Under the new contract, FRA has ushered in a new era for the TTC by making the site available for research, testing and training benefiting all modes of surface transportation.
“Utilizing the best in science, engineering, and technology, the Transportation Technology Center's work has contributed to dramatic transportation improvements over the last 50 years. The research and testing ahead will help further transform the safety, reliability, and sustainability of rail operations for generations of Americans.
“With ENSCO as a partner, long-standing support from the Pueblo community, and historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law investments in American rail being implemented, we look forward to another half-century of innovation and transformation.”
ENSCO is supported by leading surface transportation research, training, technology, and facilities management and operations organizations, including: Ambipar Response, Atkins Global, Sharma and Associates, GTI Energy, EMCOR Government Services and Northern Plains Railroad. Research at the site is supported by the Center for Surface Transportation Testing and Academic Research (C-STTAR), a consortium of eight universities and academic research centers with specialties across all modes of surface transportation.
Since 1972, the TTC has been the largest railroad testing facility in the world with 50 miles of railroad test tracks that includes High Tonnage, High Speed, Transit, and Precision tracks in addition to signal and train control, motive power and equipment, and operating practices research and testing facilities. Railroad research and test programs under the new contract vehicle have commenced. Under the FRA’s leadership and ENSCO’s management, the new era of the TTC will expand from railroads to include pipelines, trucking and heavy vehicles, bus and transit vehicles, and Non-Traditional and Emerging Transportation Technologies (NETT). The Center’s expanding training capabilities can accommodate HazMat and Emergency Response training, as well as a series of cyber security training programs currently in operations.
This article was originally published by ENSCO Rail.
