ENSCO - Transportation Technology Center

$4.6 million Grant Establishes New Consortium & Climate Change Research Program

San José State University’s MTI awarded  $4.6 million from the Federal Railroad Administration to protect rail networks from climate change
June 6, 2022 | San José, CA

SAN JOSÉ, CA – JUNE 6, 2022 – The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announced on June 2nd over $368 million in Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant program funds, including $46 million to California rail projects. From this grant, San José State University’s Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI) will receive $4.6 million to help create a multi-university consortium in order to establish a Climate Change and Extreme Events Training and Research (CCEETR) program.

MTI will partner with Colorado State University-Pueblo, Michigan State University, Oregon State University, and the University of Hawaii for this program. These universities are members of the Center for Surface Transportation Testing and Academic Research (C-STTAR) consortium working with ENSCO and the Transportation Technology Center in Pueblo, CO. Together, this consortium will lead the nation in research that identifies risk mitigation strategies and preventative measures to improve the U.S. rail network’s resiliency.

The CCEETR program, led by MTI, will develop, demonstrate and disseminate risk mitigation strategies and preventative measures aimed at improving the U.S. rail network’s resiliency against impacts of climate change and extreme events caused by the environment. The program plans to work closely with railroads throughout the industry and test various technologies at the Transportation Technology Center and on revenue service track.

Climate change and the consequential impacts of sea-level rise, coastal storms, landslides, extreme temperatures, wildfires, and inland flooding pose a significant risk to the North American freight and passenger rail network. This grant enables the collaboration of C-STTAR partner universities to combat the catastrophic impacts that threaten lives, destroy equipment, disrupt service, and cost billions. The program will work to preserve and protect the transportation sector and the communities they serve.

“I’m proud to celebrate the establishment of the CCEETR program, which will utilize SJSU’s expertise to improve rail safety and harden our rail network against the effects of climate change,” said CA Representative Zoe Lofgren.

ABOUT THE MINETA TRANSPORTATION INSTITUTE

At the Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI) at San Jose State University (SJSU) our mission is to increase mobility for all by improving the safety, efficiency, accessibility, and convenience of our nations’ transportation system. Through research, education, workforce development and technology transfer, we help create a connected world. Founded in 1991, MTI is funded through the US Departments of Transportation and Homeland Security, the California Department of Transportation, and public and private grants, including those made available by the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 (SB1). MTI is affiliated with SJSU’s Lucas College and Graduate School of Business.

Media Contact:

Dr. Hilary Nixon
MTI Deputy Executive Director
O: 408-924-7564

Meet Our Keynote Speaker

Gerhard “Gery” Williams is Executive Vice President, Service Delivery & Operations, serving in this role since July 2022. Gery leads an organization focused primarily on safely and reliably delivering Amtrak services to customers, operating and maintaining the company’s core railroad assets – including infrastructure and rail car and locomotive fleets – and driving process improvement and efficiencies across the Amtrak network.

Service Delivery & Operations (SD&O) consists of the Transportation, Mechanical, Infrastructure Maintenance & Construction Services (IMCS), Customer Service Stations, Onboard Services and Food & Beverage, California Operations, Operations Integration and Network Support functions.

Gery had served as Senior Vice President, SD&O, since January 2022 and was responsible for the newly created IMCS group, which encompasses engineering production and maintenance functions. He also led day-to-day core service delivery across the SD&O organization, driving continuous improvement to safety, customer service and productivity. 

Prior to joining Amtrak in June 2017 as Vice President and Chief Engineer, he had spent almost three decades at CSX Transportation. Gery held a wide range of senior leadership roles, including Vice President, Mechanical Operations; Chief Mechanical Officer – Locomotives; AVP Network Operations – Locomotive Management; and Division Manager. In his last position at CSX as VP, Mechanical Operations, he reported to the Chief Operating Officer and directed a team of 3,800 employees responsible for the maintenance and repair of a combined fleet of 70,000 locomotives and rail cars. Early in his profession, Gery held various positions including trainmaster, manager of safety and terminal manager.

Across his long railroad career, Gery has consistently demonstrated collaborative and data-driven leadership and an ability to manage complex transportation, mechanical and engineering challenges successfully, with safety and efficiency.

Gery graduated from Drexel University with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce and Engineering. He also holds a Master of Business Administration with a specialization in Marketing from the Peter F. Drucker Graduate School of Management at Claremont Graduate University.

Gery M. Williams III

Gery M. Williams III

Executive Vice President,
Service Delivery & Operations