FRA, ENSCO Kick Off TTC

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and ENSCO, Inc. officially launched their collaboration at the Transportation Technology Center (TTC) in Pueblo, Colo. on Oct. 25, while marking the 50th anniversary of the Center’s 1972 opening.

The TTC, owned by the U.S. Department of Transportation and FRA, is under a new operations contract with ENSCO awarded in March 2021. FRA awarded the TTC contract to ENSCO following a competitive proposal review process; the company assumed operational responsibilities for the facility on Oct. 1, 2022. FRA said it “has ushered in a new era for the TTC by making the site available for research, testing and training benefiting all modes of surface transportation.” The site is utilized for a variety of government research, testing and training programs and is home to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Surface Transportation Security Readiness Facility. 

“Our event today with the FRA, TSA and leadership from railroad and surface transportation operators and suppliers reflects the government and the private sector’s commitment to transportation safety, the efficient movement of people and goods, and a continuing dedication to improving transportation technology and workforce development,” commented Jeff Stevens, President, ENSCO, Inc., during an event with federal and state government officials and commercial transportation representatives. “ENSCO and our partners at the TTC look forward to supporting the FRA in the modernization of this important facility and to expanding its use for state-of-the-art research, testing and training programs. We also thank members of the Pueblo community who joined us today and we are excited to support the economic growth in the Southern Colorado region.”

ENSCO noted it is “supported by leading surface transportation research, training, technology, and facilities management and operations organizations, including: Ambipar Response, Atkins Global, Sharma and Associates, GTI Energy, EMCOR Government Services, the University of South Florida Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR), and Northern Plains Railroad. Research at the site is supported by the Center for Surface Transportation Testing and Academic Research (C-STTAR), a consortium of eight universities and academic research centers led by CUTR with specialties across all modes of surface transportation.”

Since 1972, the TTC has been the largest railroad testing facility in the world with 50 miles of railroad test tracks that accommodate high tonnage, high speed, transit, and precision testing in addition to signal and train control, motive power and equipment, and operating practices research and testing facilities. Railroad research and test programs have commenced, including work supporting FRA and commercial customers. Research managed by Association of American Railroads subsidiary MxV Rail (formerly TTCI), including the rail industry’s Strategic Research Initiatives, has moved to new facilities.

“Under the FRA’s leadership and ENSCO’s management, the new era of the TTC will expand from railroads to include pipelines, trucking and heavy vehicles, bus and transit vehicles, and Non-Traditional and Emerging Transportation Technologies (NETT),” ENSCO said. “The Center’s expanding training capabilities can accommodate HazMat and Emergency Response training, as well as a series of cybersecurity training programs currently in operations.” 

ENSCO, Inc., and its wholly owned subsidiaries, represent a $150 million international technology enterprise, headquartered in the Washington, D.C., area. “For more than 50 years, the ENSCO group of companies has been providing leading-edge engineering, science and advanced technology solutions to governments and private industries worldwide.” The company notes. “ENSCO operates in the aerospace, national security, surface transportation and cybersecurity sectors and focuses on technologies, products and services to support the safety, security, reliability and efficiency of customer missions. Field offices and subsidiaries, representatives and partnerships are located throughout the U.S. and around the world.”