New LTK Projects
BOSTON, MA – Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has awarded LTK a contract to assist with the procurement of new light rail vehicles for the Green Line.
CHICAGO, IL – Metra has awarded LTK a Signal Blanket Engineering Services Contract to provide signal engineering services for various signal projects. Possible projects are one MED branch signal replacement, one MWD interlocker, and one pedestrian crossing and crossing signal upgrades on the Metra system.
SACRAMENTO, CA – Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) has awarded LTK a contract for its Universal Transit Fare Card System Engineering Services, the key objective of which is to deploy and integrate a modern contactless transit fare system into eight transit systems spanning six different counties in the greater Sacramento region.
BOSTON, MA – Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has awarded LTK a Task Order Contract for Engineering Consulting Support Services for their Subway Operations Directorate on an as-needed basis.
Two LTK Industry Experts Teaching at University of Wisconson, Madison College of Engineering
Light Rail–Rapid Transit–Commuter Rail:
Engineering Fundamentals of Modern Mass Transportation Systems©
Creating capacity, speed, comfort, safety, and reliability
November 16–19, 2009 in Madison, Wisconsin
LTK’s Vice President of Mechanical Engineering, Cliff Woodbury, is an industry expert and instructor for the University of Wisconsin, Madision, College of Engineering
Dr. Woodbury focuses on:
An Introduction to Rail Vehicle Engineering— Cost-effective Quality, Safety, Comfort, Operations and Reliability
• Modes (applications, markets, categories)
• Standards and regulations
• Historical perspectives (developments and effects)
• Current state-of-the-art design criteria
• Procurement
What are the Transit Systems Covered in This Course?
Urban transit and commuter rail mass transportation systems serve urban/suburban/metropolitan areas and include:
• Light Rail Transit (LRT)—Systems using manned vehicles (usually electric and articulated) operating singly or in short trains over routes with combinations of private rights-of-way, public streets, tunnels, and aerial structures
• Rapid Transit—Heavy rail systems operating on exclusive rights-of-way, completely separate from the lines of commuter or freight railroads, and sometimes referred to as “Metro,” and may include subway and elevated infrastructure
• Commuter Rail Transit—Diesel or electrified locomotive-hauled passenger systems from city centers to outside areas operating on the general railroad network or on a separate track
Note: An introduction to Positive Train Control (PTC) and to High Speed Rail (HSR) transit systems will be addressed during the session on Thursday morning.
For more information or to enroll in the course visit:
http://epdweb.engr.wisc.edu/Courses/Course.lasso?myCourseChoice=K814
To contact Dr. Woodbury:
Dr. Clifford A. Woodbury III, P.E.
Vice President, Mechanical Engineering
LTK Engineering Services
Ambler, Pennsylvania
P: 215.542.0700
E: CWoodbury@ltk.com
Fundamentals of Railway Train Control and Signaling, Including PTC Systems©
University Education and Training for the Rail Industry
December 9-10, 2009 in Madison, Wisconsin
LTK’s senior consultant, Dave Diaz, is an industry expert and instructor for the University of Wisconsin, Madision, College of Engineering
Course Outline
This outline presents the basic methods of operations for train control and signaling, including capacity, safety, automatic block signal and interlocking systems, and basic automatic train control, including PTC systems. During the course, you will have many opportunities to interact with and learn from our instructors, selected for their experience, knowledge, and willingness to share and teach in basic, understandable terms. They will use real-life examples and case studies to help you apply what you learn. The course outline is somewhat flexible and will be adjusted to best fit the needs of the participants. You will be asked for your specific interests, needs, and questions. We will do our very best to tailor our presentations to address your concerns.
Topics
• Introduction to Train Control and Signaling
• Basic Methods of Operation
• Capacity and Safety
• Basics of Automatic Block Signal and Interlocking Systems
• Basics of Train Control Systems Including Positive Train Control (PTC)
Mr. Diaz is senior consultant with LTK Engineering Services, Ambler, PA. He has over 25 years of transit/rail experience and is LTK’s practice manager for Positive Train Control.
For more information or to enroll in the course visit:
http://epdweb.engr.wisc.edu/Courses/Course.lasso?myCourseChoice=L290
To contact Mr. Diaz:
Dave Diaz
Senior Consultant
LTK Engineering Services
Ambler, Pennsylvania
P: 215.542.0700
E: DDiaz@LTK.com
LTK People
Guy Chertock Joins LTK’s Vehicle Engineering Practice 
Guy Chertock has joined LTK’s Vehicle Engineering Practice as a Project Consultant. Guy specializes in RF (Radio Frequency) Engineering and has worked on complex communications engineering assignments for New York City Transit and Amtrak. His expertise in RF Engineering includes a wide range of radio-based devices, including cellular phones, portable radios, communications base stations and Wi-Fi. Guy is an eight years veteran of the Israeli Defense Forces, where he had served as signal and communications officer. He is a graduate of the Drexel University electrical engineering program. In addition to working on LTK vehicles projects, he will support LTK’s national rail systems engineering practice.
For New York City Transit, Guy was part of the design and test team for the commercial distributed antenna system for the NYCT’s subway operations. He was responsible for propagation studies, determination of power requirements, noise level measurements and interference analysis. Guy managed pilot coverage tests that spanned six stations and made recommendations for design modifications based on the results of these tests. For the Amtrak Acela high speed trainsets, he was part of the team responsible for design and deployment of an on-board data service based on "smart" repeaters. He reviewed and proposed band switching requirements for operation throughout the Northeast Corridor.
Kendrick Bisset Joins LTK as Senior Systems Engineer
Kendrick D. G. Bisset has rejoined LTK Engineering Services as Senior Systems Engineer. He was formerly employed with the firm from 1992 to 1997. Kendrick is a Fellow of the Institute of Railway Signal Engineers (IRSE) and most recently served as Senior Systems Engineer for Safetran Systems Corp. Kendrick is a member of LTK’s Systems Engineering Department. With extensive Automatic Train Control (ATC) and cab signal design experience, he will also serve as a resource to the LTK Vehicle Engineering Department.
At Safetran, Kendrick served as lead engineer for the SEPTA Wayne Junction-to-Glenside Resignaling Project, which used electronic track circuits and microprocessor interlocking control. He also served as lead engineer for the CTA Brown Line project, an audio frequency cab signal track circuit application. Kendrick has taught introductory signaling classes for signal designers, using the IRSE book Introduction to North American Railway Signaling, which he co-authored.
Prior to his service with Safetran, Kendrick worked as Staff Engineer for Alstom Signaling, Inc. for five years. Kendrick holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology, and has 38 years of experience in the transit and railroad signal industries. He began his career at the Chicago Transit Authority, rising to the position of Director, Power & Way Engineering, where he managed the in-house systems engineering design for the entire CTA rail network.
William Rhea Joins LTK’s Vehicle Engineering Practice
William S. Rhea Jr. has joined LTK as a Senior Vehicle Consultant based in Pittsburgh, PA. He joins LTK after 16 years with Union Switch & Signal/Ansaldo STS, where he served as a Senior Consulting Engineer.
Bill has nationally-recognized expertise in carborne system design and analysis, including Automatic Train Control (ATC), Positive Train Control (PTC), Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) and their associated cab signal interfaces. Bill holds a BS degree in Electrical Engineering Technology from Penn State University and an MS degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh. He originated and authored patent pending algorithms for PTC brake enforcement and algorithms for vital train location. Bill also designed carborne ATC systems for the Long Island Rail Road’s M-3, M-7, DE-30 and DM-30 fleets, as well as for the Metro-North Railroad M-7 fleet.
Alan Talbot Joins LTK’s Operations Simulation & Analysis Practice
Alan Talbot has joined LTK Engineering Services’ Operations Simulation & Analysis practice as its Manager of Software Engineering. Based in LTK’s Lebanon, NH office, Mr. Talbot will be responsible for managing the development of LTK’s flagship TrainOpsTM simulation software, which supports analysis of rail operations and electrification. LTK recently launched its new Operations Simulation & Analysis practice, which develops and applies simulation software to a variety of train performance, operating capacity and systems design projects.
Mr. Talbot has 30 years of software development experience. He is a member of the ANSI/ISO C++ Standardization Committee, responsible for the global direction of this major programming language. In addition, he is the author of various ANSI/ISO C++ Committee publications.
F. William (“Bill”) Lipfert Jr. Joins LTK's Operation Simulation & Analysis Practice
F. William ("Bill") Lipfert has joined LTK Engineering Services as its Practice Manager for Operations Planning and Simulation. He is based in Lebanon, NH and will provide support nationally to LTK’s operations planning and rail simulation projects. LTK has opened an office in Lebanon, NH to support this new practice.
Mr. Lipfert formerly served as Vice-President responsible for the computer simulation and software development practice at an international consulting firm, where he started that practice and grew it to a staff of 20. In addition to his practice responsibilities, he served as Project Manager for the New York State Department of Transportation’s Empire Corridor West Transportation Plan Project, as well as for a New York City Transit signal design software project. Mr. Lipfert has also served as PM for projects at Amtrak, Metra, LIRR, Metro-North, NJ Transit, MBTA, NICTD, SRTD and other properties.
He has worked in the rail industry for 27 years, starting his career as a computer systems analyst responsible for network simulation at the Long Island Rail Road in Jamaica, NY. Mr. Lipfert graduated from Dartmouth College in 1982 and has expertise in simulation modeling, including rail network simulation, train performance calculations, traction power modeling and signal block layout/safe braking distance analysis. Mr. Lipfert can be reached at blipfert@ltk.com and at 603-448-8738.
LTK proclaims July 7, 2008 "Hank Raudenbush Day"
George N. Dorshimer, President, LTK Engineering Services, proclaimed July 7, 2008, as "Hank Raudenbush Day," and celebrated the occasion with the LTK Wall of Fame Induction Ceremony to honor Hank for his tremendous contribution to the firm. On February 2, 1966, Henry (Hank) Triebig Raudenbush reported for work at the offices of Louis T. Klauder and Associates in the PNB Building in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, beginning an illustrious career that has now taken place over five different decades, two different centuries and two different millennia. Currently, Louis Thornton Klauder holds the record as the employee with the most tenure in the history of LTK, having worked 15,494 days for the firm from August 1, 1945, until his retirement on January 1, 1988. On Friday, July 4, 2008, Hank tied Lou Klauder's record and on Saturday, July 5, 2008, became the longest-tenured employee in the 87-year history of the firm. 80 of LTK’s current employees had not yet been born when Hank started his LTK career.
Throughout his career, Hank has been a shining example of the high-caliber employees who work at LTK. His spirit of teamwork, his penchant for detail and his relentless positive attitude have been respected, admired and emulated by hundreds of other employees, both past and present, who have had the pleasure of working with Hank over the past 42+ years.
Peter A. Cannito Forms Strategic Relationship with LTK
Peter A. Cannito has formed a strategic relationship with LTK Engineering Services to support the firm's activities in rail transportation engineering and operations. Mr. Cannito has extensive executive level management experience, particularly in large, diverse organizations and operating divisions. His management experience includes responsibilities in operations, finance, strategic planning, legal, human resources, capital projects, marketing, customer service, safety and security and engineering.
Mr. Cannito has had overall responsibility for the planning and procurement of several large fleets of passenger rail equipment, both for Metro North and Amtrak. Peter exemplifies strong leadership, organizational, problem solving, and crisis management skills.
In his association with LTK, Mr. Cannito will provide specialized consultation and advice to operators and owners of rail passenger systems.
SCHOLARSHIPS
WTS PHILADELPHIA CHAPTER SCHOLARSHIPS
LTK supports WOMEN IN TRANSPORTATION (WTS) and the Carmen E. Turner, the Suzanne B. Axworthy, and the Sylvia Alston Scholarships that are open to graduate and undergraduate students. The purpose of these scholarships is to encourage women to pursue careers in transportation.
The competition is open to women with a GPA of 3.0 or higher who plan to pursue a career in transportation and who are currently enrolled in a degree program in a transportation-related field such as engineering, planning, finance or logistics. A copy each of the Graduate and Undergraduate applications is attached, along with the descriptions of the scholarships.
The WTS Philadelphia Scholarship applications are due in October and awarded in December. The two top recipients of the Philadelphia Chapter scholarship are then submitted as candidates for the WTS Foundation Scholarships, awarded in May of the following year.
For information about WTS www.wtsinternational.org
COMTO / LTK NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP
2009 - Francis Udenta, Civil Engineering, Morgan State University
2008 - Kurt Frazer, Transportation Engineering, Northeastern University
JOHN RAYMOND VOLLMAR ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
Drexel University College of Engineering - Honors Day
Established in 1998, The JOHN RAYMOND VOLLMAR ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP is awarded to a sophomore, pre-junior or junior majoring in Architectural, Civil, Computer, Electrical, Environmental, Materials or Mechanical Engineering in recognition of academic excellence. Students with an expressed interest and / or experience in the field of urban mass transportation are given preference. To date, the Scholarship Fund has received $104,697 in contributions, including the match by LTK Engineering Services. Since 1998, 25 scholarships have been awarded totaling more than $38,000.
John Raymond Vollmar's Legacy - During the 1960s, LTK’s leadership in the rail transit industry was developed by its initial work for PATCO (Port Authority Transit Corporation) also called the Lindenwold Line, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) and various agencies in the New York metropolitan area, beginning with the New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA), the Tri-State Transportation Commission and, later, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). John R. (Ray) Vollmar’s impact on the firm and the industry is best illustrated by these client relationships, each of which continues to this day.
The John Raymond Vollmar Endowed Scholarship - In August 1997, LTK Engineering Services and the rail transportation industry lost a respected friend and colleague when Ray Vollmar died after a brief illness. As a lasting tribute to honor Ray’s significant contributions to our firm, as well as the rail transportation industry at large, LTK Engineering Services has established The John Raymond Vollmar Memorial Scholarship Fund at Ray’s alma mater, Drexel University. The entire Vollmar family celebrates Drexel Honors Day held in February of each year.
Photo (L to R): Front Row: 2009 recipients: Anthony Mecca, Li Hao Jain, Avishek Nandi, Second Row: Mrs. Vollmar, Mr. & Mrs. Richard Vollmar, Third Row: Pam Caldwell, Vollmar family friend, Paul Vollmar, Christopher Lawlor-LTK CFO.
[CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE]
Scholarship recipients are:
The 2009 JOHN RAYMOND VOLLMAR ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
Li Hao Jain - Mechanical Engineering (June 2012) and a LTK Engineering Services Intern
Avishek Nandi - Mechanical Engineering (June 2010) and a LTK Engineering Services Intern
Anthony Mecca - Civil Engineering (June 2010)
PHOTO - 2009 - (L-R) Anthony Mecca, Li Hao Jain, Avishek Nandi presented at Drexel University Annual Honors’ Day, February 18, 2009
The 2008 JOHN RAYMOND VOLLMAR ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
Kayleigh Beidleman whose career goal is in infrastructure, is focused on structural engineering, and with a cumulative 3.94 GPA, Kayleigh has an impressive list of honors and scholarships: Suzanne B. Axworthy Scholarship, WTS Philadelphia Chapter; Exelon Endowed Grant; Dean’s List; Pennoni Honors College; Society of Women Engineers; Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society; and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars Coordinator of Philanthropy, Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority.
Ankit More, a junior, working on both a master’s (system and control) and bachelor’s (advanced electronics) degree in electrical engineering, has an impressive list of academic honors: Dean’s List for two years in a row; A.J. Drexel Academic Scholarship; Best Academic Performance-Bishop Cotton Boys’ School; and Nominated Representative-Global Young Leaders Conference.
Paul Briede, Jr. a junior with a mechanical engineering major (aerospace engineering). Paul got his FAA rated private pilot license in high school and obtained his FAA instrument rating this past fall. Paul’s accomplishments include the Dean’s List; Intel International Science and Engineering Fair 4th Place in Engineering; and Pi Tau Sigma, International Mechanical Engineering Honors Society.
PHOTO - 2008 – (L-R) Paul Briede, Jr. and Ankit More (not pictured: Kayleigh Beidleman) presented at Drexel University Annual Honors’ Day, February 20, 2008
The 2007 JOHN RAYMOND VOLLMAR ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
PHOTO 2007 – (L-R) Thomas Golecki (Civil/Architectural and Environmental Engineering), Matthew Sera (Mechanical Engineering) and John Zollers (Civil/Architectural and Environmental Engineering),
presented at Drexel University Annual Honors’ Day, February 21, 2007
The 2006 JOHN RAYMOND VOLLMAR ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
PHOTO 2006 – (L-R) John Zollers, Civil Engineering, Nicholas Loberto, Dual Arch/Civil Engineering;
Christian Schegan, Accelerated B.S./M.S.;
Mark McShea, Architectural Engineering (not pictured)
The 2005 JOHN RAYMOND VOLLMAR ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
PHOTO 2005 – (L-R) Jessica B. Hawthorne, Civil Engineering and John K. Zollers, Civil Engineering
with Dr. Selçuk Güçeri, Dean, College of Engineering, Drexel University;
Laura L. Davis, Civil Engineering (not pictured)
The 2004 JOHN RAYMOND VOLLMAR ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
2004 – (no photo) Pritesh Patel; Joseph B. Saunders; Anthony R. Tofani
The 2003 JOHN RAYMOND VOLLMAR ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
PHOTO 2003 – Shamela Rogers, Architectural Engineering and Patrick Mathias, Electrical Engineering (L) with Sara Vollmar and Chris Lawlor, CFO, LTK Engineering Services (R);
M. Scott Devlin, Architectural Engineering (not pictured)
The 2002 JOHN RAYMOND VOLLMAR ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
PHOTO 2002 – Michael Johnson (2001) and Erin Hill (2002)
The 2001 JOHN RAYMOND VOLLMAR ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
2001 – (no photo) Michael Johnson and Kevin Maynard
The 2000 JOHN RAYMOND VOLLMAR ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
2000 – (no photo) David Rittel
The 1999 JOHN RAYMOND VOLLMAR ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
1999 – (no photo) David Tack
The 1998 JOHN RAYMOND VOLLMAR ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
1998 – (no photo) Richard Delp