TTC Management Begins Transition to ENSCO
Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor
More than 50 miles of railroad track and specialized laboratories for testing locomotives, vehicles, track components and signaling devices comprise the FRA Transportation Technology Center facilities, where TTCI is headquartered. (Photo by William C. Vantuono)
Operation and maintenance of the Pueblo, Colo.-based Transportation Technology Center (TTC) began transitioning to ENSCO, Inc., this week, with completion slated for October.
ENSCO—a Virginia-based corporation that operates in the defense, transportation, aerospace and intelligence sectors—was awarded a $571 million contract to provide research and development, testing, engineering, and training services at the TTC “in support of the FRA goal of establishing the TTC as a center for rail and ground transportation innovation.” The contract term includes a five-year base period and three, five-year option periods for a total of 20 years from award date.
The TTC comprises more than 50 miles of railroad track and specialized laboratories for testing locomotives, vehicles, track components, and communications and signaling devices. The Association of American Railroads (AAR) had managed it since 1982, most of that time through Transportation Technology Center, Inc. (TTCI), its wholly owned subsidiary.
ENSCO said it will “operate and maintain the TTC in support of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to develop a vibrant, engaging and modern TTC that fosters innovation, encourages positive change and creates opportunity.” It will also expand the use of the facility to “support other government and commercial entities to achieve the broader mission of transportation safety, security and innovation in key areas such as automation, connectivity, cybersecurity, work force development and climate resilience.”
ENSCO said it will be “supported by a team of leading surface transportation research, training, technology and facilities management organizations,” including Ambipar Response USA, Inc., Atkins, EMCOR Government Services, GTI, Sharma & Associates, and the University of South Florida Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR). This team will be further supported by the Center for Surface Transportation Testing and Academic Research (C-STTAR) consortium of eight universities and academic research centers, led by CUTR. ENSCO noted that C-STTAR, which it established, provides “expertise in research focus areas across all modes of surface transportation, including intermodal transportation, which will support TTC growth initiatives.” ESi and CTL Group will provide additional laboratory support to the TTC site, ENSCO reported.
“ENSCO looks forward to supporting FRA’s vision for the Transportation Technology Center,” ENSCO, Inc. President Boris Nejikovsky said. “We have assembled an incredible team of industry and university research, safety, technology, testing and training entities to serve the needs of FRA, USDOT and the surface transportation industry. We are excited to support the many site stakeholders to continue the important railroad research occurring at the center today and to expand the capabilities of the site to other modes of transportation with this robust team. ENSCO also looks forward to supporting the local Pueblo, Colo., economy by partnering with local leadership, universities and business, attracting visitors who participate in site activities and recruiting top technical talent to the area.”
