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Conference Program
Wednesday June 17th, 2026
MORNING (MAIN STAGE)
9:00 a.m.
Building a Stronger Passenger Rail Industry: The Playbook in Action
Mark Salsberg and Paul Murphy
Join TRACCS leadership for an opening discussion on the challenges and opportunities facing Canada's passenger rail and transit sector, and the collaborative efforts required to build a safer, more efficient, and more resilient transportation network. This session explores the trends, priorities, and partnerships shaping the future of the industry, while highlighting important developments and initiatives from across the country.
9:30 a.m.
Enhancing Safety and Reducing Risk: A Roundtable on Industry Assurance and Insurance
A conversation with Kevin Brown (Cobalt Safety), Katie Ferrier (Achilles), Tony Davis (B Smart) and Mark Salsberg (TRACCS)
Industry leaders discuss the practical steps being taken to improve safety, strengthen assurance, reduce risk, and build greater confidence across Canada's passenger rail and transit sector. This conversation explores the foundations of a stronger industry as Canada enters a period of unprecedented investment and growth.
10:10 a.m.
Think Slow, Act Fast: What Rail Can Learn from the World's Biggest Projects
Andrew Kooiman
Mega projects fail for predictable reasons — and they succeed for predictable ones too. Drawing on How Big Things Get Done, Andrew Kooiman maps six proven rules of thumb onto Canada's rail industry, and asks the hard question: why do we keep ignoring what the evidence tells us?
10:20 a.m.
Fireside Chat with Michael Lindsay, CEO of Metrolinx
Interviewed by Leslie Dibling, AMC Services
11:00 a.m.
Authority Moves Trains. Duty Moves Liability: The Conflict
This panel explores the Authority and Accountability Systems in Canada’s transit and passenger rail sector through a unified approach to safety management. Moderated by Kevin Brown (Cobalt Safety), it features expert insights on proactive safety culture, leadership in major infrastructure projects, the critical role of independent safety assessors, and the powerful principle that while authority moves trains, duty drives liability and true safety.
Panellists: Zaeem Khalid (CSA Group), Ponciano Perez Lupi (Ontario Transit Group) and Kinda Khalil (CERTIFER Canada).
12:20 p.m.
Inside the Pipeline – Upcoming Capital Projects & How to Compete
Join agency leaders for a fast-paced 75-minute deep dive into Ontario and Canada’s rail and transit capital improvement programs. Hear concise spotlights on upcoming projects, budgets, timelines, and procurement strategies. Learn exactly how contractors, suppliers, and consultants can get involved through clear guidance on bidding, collaborative contracting, alternative delivery methods, and funding opportunities.
AFTERNOON (Two Rooms)
Room B:
2:00 p.m. (Room B)
Procurement, Performance & Partnership: Overcoming Contractual and Delivery Challenges in Canadian Passenger Rail
This panel tackles critical rail delivery issues: the 'battle of the forms' creating procurement uncertainty around risk and warranties, proactive schedule management to minimize delay disputes, and collaborative models that drive trust and best-for-project outcomes
Featuring owner, contractor, supplier, and delivery perspectives — including the East Harbour Transit Hub with Metrolinx and Hatch — it delivers practical strategies to improve certainty, protect schedules, and speed up passenger rail projects across Canada.
Moderated by Joshua Strub (Margie Strub Construction Law)
Panellists: Derek Wynne (SEMP), Philip Murray (Hatch) and Samantha Wadsworth (Mace Group).
3:00 p.m. (Room B)
Beneath the Tracks: Managing Utility Risk in Canada’s Next Generation Rail Projects
This panel delves into the critical challenges of managing utilities in Canada’s transit and rail projects, focusing on complex and variable ground conditions, standards-driven risk reduction, and seamless traction power procurement. Experts share practical strategies for de-risking utility interfaces, the value of a dedicated Project Utility Engineer, and innovative approaches to building safer, more resilient next-generation rail infrastructure.
Moderated by Jeff Bannard (Rexel Canada).
Panellists: Fabian Briceno (TYLin), Richard Morales (Arcadis), Tara Kuuskman (Enbridge), Paul Collins (Metrolinx) and Lawrence Arcand (4Sight UE).
Room C:
2:40 p.m. (Room C)
Systems Engineering for Rail: Playbooks for Configuration, Compliance & Risk Innovation
This panel continues the critical conversation on Systems Engineering for Rail, showcasing practical playbooks and innovative approaches that bridge design and real-world operation. Moderated by Mike Markoulakis of WGD Consulting, experts from Metrolinx, Rexel, and Agonics present strategies for shared station configuration from blueprint to opening day, achieving SIL-2 compliance while managing single points of failure in tunnel ventilation systems, and a new technical solution for proactively identifying and resolving train signal sighting obscurations.
Moderator: Mike Markoulakis (WGD Consulting)
Panellists: Massi Nartey (Metrolinx), Matthew Keeler (Hedgehog Technologies), Mercedes G. Palacio (MGP Consulting) and Larisse Nana Kouadjo (Egis).
Thursday June 18th, 2026
Room B:
9:00 a.m.
Opening Remarks and Big Announcements
Mark Salsberg and Paul Murphy
9:05 a.m.
Canadian Code for Transit and Passenger Railway Systems
Adriana Shu-Yin and Diana Soroaga, CSA Group.
This presentation addresses the persistent delivery challenges facing transit and passenger rail projects in Canada, including cost escalation, schedule delays, and inconsistent technical outcomes. It introduces the development of a unified Canadian code designed to bring clarity, consistency, and alignment to the application of standards across jurisdictions. The session outlines how this framework will support more coherent project planning, reduce fragmentation, and provide guidance across the full lifecycle of rail systems—from design and construction to operations, safety, and maintenance—ultimately enabling more efficient and reliable project delivery.
9:25 a.m.
Guardians of the Rail: Life-Saving Technologies for Safer Railways
Moderator: Kevin Brown
From advanced crossing grade & warning systems and innovative fire protection solutions to smart safety harmonization and high-performance cable systems — this panel showcases life-saving technologies protecting passengers, crews, and infrastructure across Canadian and global rail networks.
Panellists: Markus Mueller (WAGNER Rail GmbH), Joachim Heinzelmann (Diehl), William Pack (Fogtech), Ralf Feierabend (FRÄNKISCHE Industrial Pipes GmbH & Co. KG), Marcel Broer (HBI Broer) and Dave Galvao, (LRI Fire)
10:35 a.m.
The Future of Passenger Rail Workforce - Career Paths and Training while on the Job in Canada
Moderated by Melissa Marshal (Ontario Tech University)
As Canada advances major transit and passenger rail investments nationwide, developing a skilled and sustainable workforce has become a critical industry priority. This panel brings together post-secondary institutions to explore how academic programs, applied learning, and industry collaboration are preparing the next generation of rail professionals. Discussions will focus on emerging career pathways, workforce needs, interdisciplinary education, and the role educational institutions play in supporting the long-term growth of Canada’s passenger rail sector.
Panellists: , Marjan Alavi (McMaster University), Dave Weatherhead (Centennial College), Zia Saadatnia (Ontario Tech University) and Sarah ElKontar (CMAI).
11:20 a.m.
Building High-Speed Rail in Canada: Global Lessons on Delivery, Integration and Long-Term Success
Moderated by Laurence Lebel (AtkinsRéalis)
What can Canada learn from the world’s most ambitious high-speed rail programs? This TRACCS Rail Day 2026 panel brings together international experience, Canadian project leadership, and systems integration expertise to explore the lessons that matter most for Alto: governance, delivery, digitalization, resilience, standards, skills, public confidence, and the integration of design with long-term operations and maintenance.
Panelists: Laurence Lebel (AtkinsRéalis), Prisca Flattot (SYSTRA Group), David Cook (Alto)
12:20 p.m.
Keynote Address & Fireside Chat with Hon. Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation, Province of Ontario
With Mark Salsberg and Leslie Dibling
1:30 p.m.
Delivering Complexity: Women Leading Major Rail & Transit Projects
moderated by Sonia Rahman
Delivering major rail and transit infrastructure requires more than technical expertise-it demands coordination across disciplines, thoughtful risk management, stakeholder alignment and the ability to translate design into infrastructure that serves communities.
This panel brings together women leaders from both the public and private sectors who are involved in the delivery of complex transit projects. Panelists will share insights on construction realities, project leadership, communication, and the factors that contribute to successful outcomes. The discussion offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to bring modern transit systems from concept to reality.
Panellists: Kirsten Watson (AECOM), Mavara Turab (ALTO), Jennifer Verellen (WSP), Laura Uribe (IO) and Karen Stintz.
3:00 p.m.
Operations & Maintenance Excellence: From Early Insight to Lifecycle Durability in Rail & Transit
This panel highlights how effective operations and maintenance strategies can be embedded throughout the entire project lifecycle to improve long-term performance and reliability. Featuring experts from operations, maintenance technology, academia, and engineering, the session explores embedding operator insights from concept stage, scenario-based simulations for troubleshooting, vibration-based predictive maintenance, designing repairable rail level crossings, and comprehensive lifecycle and durability approaches from design through asset maintenance.
Panellists: Wojciech Nawrat (RailOne), Ian Smith (WSP), Ron Thiele (Xpan), Ivo Haladin (University of Zagreb Faculty of Civil Engineering), Rashid Dorj(Genirail Inc), Francis Mongeon (Simco Technologies)
4:00 p.m.
Delivering Track Performance: Practical Innovations in Infrastructure and MaintenanceThis panel brings together practical innovations that are shaping the performance and reliability of rail infrastructure across its lifecycle. It explores advancements in construction techniques, inspection and measurement practices, system protection approaches, and the integration of design principles that influence long-term wheel–rail interaction. The session also examines durability-focused materials and extended-life components, offering real-world insights into improving asset longevity, reducing maintenance interventions, and achieving consistent track performance in modern rail and transit systems.Panellists:Franck Olejniczak-Brugger (Schweizer Electronic AG), Lionel Thoinet (Pandrol), Robert Hanczor (Piper Networks), Richard Fox-Ivey (PrecisionTrack Inspection Inc./TrackInspect), Mark Reimer (Sahaya)
Room C:
9:05 a.m.
Innovation and Technology in Passenger Rail - ABTECH
9:45 a.m.
Communications, Signals & Information Technology Presentation: The State of Cybersecurity in Rail
Moderated by Jim Charboneau (TRACCS/WSP)
This session presents a rigorous, evidence-based assessment of current cybersecurity threats, vulnerabilities, and resilience strategies in Canadian transit and passenger rail systems, including signalling, train control, and operational IT/OT environments.
Panellists: Ali Athar (Hitachi Rail), German Tamayo (WGD Consulting), Todd Ellis (Hatch), Yoni Korlander (Cylus)
10:45 a.m.
Digital Twin and AI readiness
Moderated by Jim Charboneau
This panel examines how digital twin technologies and AI are transforming the planning and delivery of rail and transit projects. It explores real-time data integration, simulation-driven decision-making, and schedule optimization, demonstrating how these tools enhance coordination, reduce risk, and improve project outcomes across complex infrastructure environments.
Panellists: Keith Anthon (WSP), Dave Armstrong (Bentley), and Dan Etherington (Aeon Green)
11:30 a.m.
Innovation and Technology in Passenger Rail - WSP
1:40 p.m.
Future Mobility: How Generative AI is Transforming the Industry
Moderated by Jim Charboneau
This panel critically assesses the emerging role of generative AI and large language models in transit rail planning, operations, and customer experience, with a focus on Canadian applications and ethical considerations. It explores use cases such as AI-assisted design, automated reporting, predictive maintenance, and customer service chatbots, while addressing challenges related to data governance, bias, explainability, and workforce impacts in a safety-critical domain.
Panellists: Alexander White, Marco Resta and Veronica Marin (Hitachi Rail) and Dan Etherington (Aeon Green)
2:40 p.m.
Delivering Track Performance: Practical Innovations in Infrastructure and Maintenance
This panel brings together practical innovations that are shaping the performance and reliability of rail infrastructure across its lifecycle. It explores advancements in construction techniques, inspection and measurement practices, system protection approaches, and the integration of design principles that influence long-term wheel–rail interaction. The session also examines durability-focused materials and extended-life components, offering real-world insights into improving asset longevity, reducing maintenance interventions, and achieving consistent track performance in modern rail and transit systems.
Panellists:Franck Olejniczak (Schweizer Electronic AG), Lionel Thoinet (Pandrol), Robert Hanczor (Piper Networks), Richard Fox-Ivey (PrecisionTrack Inspection Inc./TrackInspect), Mark Reimer (Sahaya)
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