Alstom, Pitt Team on Mobility Career Development
Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor
Pictured from left: Mark Gruber, Head of Urban Rail Development Center, Alstom, Americas, with Sanjeev G. Shroff, interim U.S. Steel Dean of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, and David Trayhan, Vice President, Automated People Movers, Alstom, Americas, at the MOU signing in Benedum Hall. (Caption and Photograph Courtesy of Alstom and University of Pittsburgh)
Alstom and the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) Swanson School of Engineering have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to build new research and student engagement programs on mobility and the technologies “that make transportation smarter, more sustainable and energy efficient.”
The partners on Nov. 14 reported that in addition to attracting potential federal funding for research projects, both seek to establish mentorship, research and career pathways for undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students.
Alstom, a mobility technology company, will engage the Swanson School’s research faculty across four pillars:
- Student Recruitment (undergraduate and graduate/doctoral candidates).
- Research (sponsored research, federal collaborations, fee for service).
- Student Projects (undergraduate).
- Alstom as Teacher (undergraduate).
Their five-year agreement, which runs through fall 2027, will include on-campus events for students and biannual executive committee meetings to review progress and planning through each of the four pillars, according to the Swanson School and Alstom.
Alstom is experienced in building and repairing railcars and locomotives, and in supplying signaling systems for such U.S. cities and agencies as New York City; Chicago; Atlanta; Washington, D.C.; New Jersey Transit; Caltrans; Amtrak; and freight railroads. More than 4,300 Alstom employees work at 40-plus sites across the country. In Pennsylvania, approximately 650 employees work at locations in Pittsburgh, West Mifflin and Philadelphia, developing urban rail signaling systems, like Cityflo™, a radio-based moving block communications-based train control system; building traction and automated people movers; and managing domestic and international rail infrastructure projects.
“Dynamic industry partnerships are critical to further research and ensure student experiences and success in and out of the classroom,” said Sanjeev Shroff, interim U.S. Steel Dean of Engineering. “This MOU with Alstom will provide a beneficial link for our growing faculty expertise in transportation and mobility, as well as career development opportunities for our students.”
“We have many challenges facing our society and environment today,” said David Trayhan, Vice President, Automated People Movers for Alstom, Americas. “We must work together to accelerate progress and agreements to share knowledge, latest technologies and future innovation that are enablers to our collective success. I look forward to working with the University of Pittsburgh and University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering to advance research and thought leadership in technologies to accelerate the creation of a better quality of life for our communities.”
“As a University of Pittsburgh alumnus, I am particularly aware of the tremendous value the faculty and students here can bring to the complex and societally important solutions that Alstom develops in Pittsburgh and around the world for not only projects and customers here in the U.S. but also globally,” said Mark Gruber, Head of Urban rail Development Center for Alstom, Americas.
