Thursday, June 4, 2009

For Immediate Release

Contact: Virginia Miller

202) 496-4816

vmiller@apta.com

Chicago to Host 2009 APTA Rail Conference and International Rail Rodeo

FTA Administrator Peter Rogoff and FRA Administrator John Szabo to Address Conference

The 2009 Rail Conference and International Rail Rodeo will take place June 11-17 in Chicago, IL. Sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), the event is North America?s largest and most comprehensive conference for the rail industry.

The 2009 conference encompasses all facets of the rail industry including: safety and security, commuter, high speed and intercity rail, planning, sustainability and finance, capital projects, operations and technical forums. Rail professionals from throughout the industry will share best practices, lessons learned, and effective and timely solutions. Industry leaders, including Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff and Federal Railroad Administrator John C. Szabo, will address participants of the 2009 Rail Conference.

This marks the 17th year for the International Rail Rodeo Competition, which highlights the best rail operators and maintenance teams from across North America. Competitors, selected from local and state competitions, will compete to be crowned champion.

What: International Rail Rodeo What: 2009 Rail Conference

Where: CTA Skokie Yard

3701 West Oakton

Skokie, IL

Where: Hilton Chicago

720 South Michigan Ave.

Chicago, IL 98101

When: June 13, 2009

Operator competition begins at 7a.m.

Maintenance competition begins at 8a.m.

When: June 14-17, 2009

Press: Media registration for the 2009 APTA Rail Conference and International Rail Rodeo is FREE. To pre-register, go to the APTA web site at www.apta.com and fill out the on-line registration form. Your badge will be available at the APTA registration desk in Room Boulevard A at the Hilton Chicago. To register on site, you will have to go to the APTA registration desk at the Hilton Chicago.

Events: Some conference events are highlighted below.

For a complete listing of sessions, visit: www.apta.com

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Monday, June 15, 2009

8:30 - 10:00 a.m. Opening General Session: Quality Transit - - Now

The 2009 APTA Rail Conference starts with remarks from local and national public transportation leaders. Additionally, the 2009 winners of the International Rail Rodeo will be announced.

President?s Welcome:

William Millar, president, APTA

Presiding:

Beverly A. Scott, Ph.D., chair, APTA, and general manager/CEO

Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, Atlanta, GA

Welcomes:

Stephen E. Schlickman, executive director, Regional

Transportation Authority, Chicago, IL

Carole L. Brown, chairman, Chicago Transit Authority, Chicago, IL

Richard L. Rodriguez, president, Chicago Transit Authority, Chicago, IL

Philip A. Pagano, executive director, Metra, Chicago, IL

Remarks:

David Solow, vice chair-commuter and intercity rail, APTA, and chief executive officer, Southern California Regional Rail Authority, Los Angeles, CA

Addresses:

Administrator Peter M. Rogoff, Federal Transit Administration, Washington, DC

Administrator Joseph C. Szabo, Federal Railroad Administration, Washington, DC

17th Annual International Rail Rodeo Awards:

Gary C. Thomas, vice chair-rail transit, APTA, and president/executive director, Dallas Area Rapid Transit, Dallas, TX

10:15 - 11:45 a.m. Innovative Financing and Project Delivery Methods

Rail transit agencies are using innovative financing mechanisms to generate new revenues to help build and maintain the system. Hear innovative practices using some familiar and not so familiar techniques such as joint development, congestion pricing, and project delivery methods.

10:15 - 11:45 a.m. Project Updates ? Heavy Rail

Learn more about efforts to improve tunnel ventilation design, perform rail alignment trade-offs, and consider vehicle design and procurement strategies. Discuss upgrades that address the heavier demands on vehicles, equipment, and infrastructure.

10:15 - 11:45 a.m. U.S. High Speed Rail Developments: Updates from Major Domestic Programs

This is a timely session to hear about the progress and developments of key high speed rail corridors in the U.S. Panelists include executives from major high-speed rail programs across the country who will discuss the status of their programs, next steps, and lessons learned along the way.

2:30 - 4:30 p.m. Project Updates ? Light Rail

The renaissance of light rail in North America continues! This session will provide an overview of interesting light rail systems in operation, construction, or planning/design stage. New technologies, alignments, procurement strategies, and unique challenges will be featured.

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2:30 - 4:30 p.m. Implementing New Technology in Older Infrastructure

New technology offers the promise of lowering operational costs and improving safety and customer service. The latest passenger information systems, building management systems, data networks, and Wi-Fi systems provide a wealth of information and benefits agencies. Implementing new technologies in existing and aging infrastructure on a fully operational railroad is a challenge. In this session, practitioners will discuss the methods used to overcome the challenges of implementing new technologies and the benefits derived.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

7:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Rail Products and Services Showcase

Discover the rail industry?s latest technologies and products at the 2008 Products and

Services showcase. Experts will demonstrate products and answer questions as you

inspect the wide variety of rail equipment and services.

9 a.m. - 10 a.m. Interactive Presentations

Visit exhibitor tables outside the showcase to see unique presentations on a variety of

relevant topics.

10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. Moving Forward with Transit Oriented Development: Challenge &Opportunities in Today?s Market

As the economic downturn continues, transit agencies and communities face challenges, as well as opportunities in making transit oriented development a reality. With continued growth in rail transit expansion, transit agencies, local governments, and developers have an opportunity to plan now for the recovery while reaping multiple benefits including economic revitalization. The session will focus on site specific and corridor TOD planning taking shape in various regions that will make sustainable development a reality.

10:30a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Coping with Increased Ridership in the Face of Rising Costs

Transit agencies have responded over the past year to the dual-edged combination of rising passenger volumes and increasing fuel and operating costs. How do rail systems react to market changes that happen too fast to build or buy additional capacity? How can operators apply new operating procedures or service scheduling techniques to tap the hidden capacity and economies inherent in their rail systems? Come hear the

experiences of progressive rail managers who have faced these challenges and emerged victorious.

10:00a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Commuter Rail Project Updates

From branch lines to main lines, commuter rail continues its unique approach to providing service by coupling creative design with creative operation. Attend this session to hear about new and about-to-be-launched operations, as well as system expansions.

2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Fare Collection Technology Reaches Adolescence

Fare collection systems are evolving toward smart media and these new technologies offer expanded opportunities in transit access and payment. This session will discuss these technologies and also take a look at merging parking with transit applications and how payment approaches may bridge the two.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

8:45 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Project Updates ? Streetcars

Streetcar systems continue to expand significantly, and with these additions come new innovations in vehicles and new integration strategies within the urban form. This session takes a look at new projects, the plans it took to get them off the drawing boards, and the specifications used for vehicles and track.

8:45 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Service to Epic Events

For the Presidential Inauguration on the National Mall and surrounding activities, Washington, D.C.?s Metro carried up to 1.5 million passengers a day ? nearly doubling the number of passengers they carry on the heaviest days. What was the planning process? How did WMATA coordinate with security agencies and cope with the daily changes in plans? What happened on ?the DAY OF?? And ? if the World Series hits your city, come learn from SEPTA in Philadelphia how its operation worked during the games and the victory celebration.

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APTA is a nonprofit international association of nearly 1,500 member organizations including public transportation systems; planning, design, construction and finance firms; product and service providers; academic institutions; and state associations and departments of transportation. APTA members serve the public interest by providing safe, efficient and economical public transportation services and products. APTA members serve more than 90 percent of persons using public transportation in the United States and Canada.