The 2018 Young Railway Professionals Innovation Pitching Competition will be a highlight on the first day of the Australasian Railway Association’s annual AusRAIL conference and exhibition taking place in Canberra on 27 and 28 November 2018.
The first day of the conference will feature pitches from five professionals under 30, all with bright ideas for innovation within the rail sector.
This year’s pitching competition received a record number of entries reflecting the skills, passion and creativity of an inspiring new generation of talent across the sector.
Presenting at AusRAIL will be:
- Tyler Plowright, Operational Technology Engineer, Pacific National| Regional freight deliveries
- Pranoy Banerjee, Advisor, CWG Project Services | Gamification of rail safety
- Jessica Ghaleb, Track and Civil Engineer, Jacobs | Hands-free ticketing
- Owen Plagens, Asset Strategy Engineer, Downer | Intelligent Seating Recommendation System (iSRS)
- Henry Swisher, Strategic Consultant – Energy Markets, Jacobs | Producing hydrogen for Australia’s long distance freight network
Judging this year’s event are Transport Canberra and City Services Director General Emma Thomas, Queensland Rail Chief Executive Officer Nick Easy, Arup Australasia Rail Business Leader Anna Squire, and John Holland Rail Business Group Executive General Manager Steve Butcher.
In addition, the two leading group projects completed through the ARA’s Future Leaders Program will also be presented. The ARA Future Leaders Program is a six month program completed by the industry’s brightest talent. As well as developing their leadership skills, the participants complete group projects to address and issue or opportunity in the industry.
Other highlights of the recently released agenda include:
- Consecutive speeches from Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development and Deputy Prime Minister The Hon Michael McCormack MP, and Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development The Hon Anthony Albanese MP
- A discussion on supply chains including NSW Ports Chief Executive Officer Marika Califas, KiwiRail Chief Operations Officer Todd Moyle, and Pacific National’s FreightPresident Andrew Adams
- A keynote speech from Tech Futures Lab founder Frances Valintine on futureproofing the rail industry
- A site tour of the Canberra Metro Light Rail Depot
- A welcome address from the ACT Government’s Minister for Transport Canberra and City Services Meegan Fitzharris MLA
- An address from Australasian Railway Association Chairman Bob Herbert AM
- And much, much more.
Conference places are available with special rates for ARA members and Young Rail Professionals. Full information available here.