Colorado Springs, CO – November 13, 2025
ENSCO will bring a team of globally recognized technical leaders to the 2025 International Heavy Haul Association (IHHA) and World Congress on Railway Research (WCRR) Joint Conference, held November 17–21, 2025 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. With presentations spanning predictive maintenance, autonomous inspection, and advanced materials research, ENSCO’s participation underscores the company’s decades-long leadership in rail safety, automation, and data-driven asset management and reinforces its role as a trusted innovation partner to the global rail industry and operator of the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Transportation Technology Center (TTC), the nation’s premier rail research and testing facility.
“ENSCO’s strength lies in the depth of expertise, technical excellence, and collaborative spirit of our engineers and scientists,” said Jackie van der Westhuizen, Vice President of ENSCO’s Surface Transportation Group. “As one of the largest technical contributors at IHHA/WCRR, our teams work side-by-side with government, industry, and research partners to turn advanced research into practical solutions and products that strengthen rail safety, reliability, and efficiency, supporting our partners’ critical mission of safely transporting people and goods around the world.”
With nearly 80 percent of its workforce composed of scientists and engineers, many holding advanced degrees, ENSCO’s multidisciplinary teams collaborate with government, industry, and research partners to transform innovation into real-world solutions that enhance rail safety, reliability, and performance worldwide.
Featured ENSCO Presentations
Rafael Maldonado, Deputy Division Manager, ENSCO Rail, Inc.
Evolution of Automated Track Condition Monitoring: A Decade of Innovation and Safety Improvements
Wednesday, Nov. 19 | 11:20 a.m. | Vehicle Track Systems
Maldonado will present a case study, co-authored with ENSCO’s Jackie van der Westhuizen and in collaboration with CPKC, demonstrating how a Class I railroad advanced from manual to autonomous inspections using ATGMS, GRMS, LiDAR, and vision-based technologies to enhance safety and efficiency.Dr. Mohamad Ghodrati, Senior Research Engineer
Advancement in Understanding Wheel Failures in North American Freight Railways: Following the Roadmap
Tuesday, Nov. 18 | 2:05 p.m. | Rolling Stock / Wheels and Axles
Dr. Ghodrati will discuss the FRA’s multi-phase research program analyzing wheel failures through lab testing and advanced finite element modeling.Bernhard Metzger, Director of Solutions Engineering
Uninterrupted Track Geometry Parameter Measurement with Zero-Speed Track Geometry Measurement System
Wednesday, Nov. 19 | 12:20 p.m. | Poster Session
Metzger will outline advancements in zero-speed measurement technology that enables continuous geometry capture, delivering up to 7 percent more complete data than conventional systems.Dr. Przemyslaw Rakoczy, Senior Rail Research Engineer
Puncture Resistance of a DOT‑105J500W Tank Car Used for Transportation of Liquefied CO₂
Wednesday, Nov. 19 | 1:45 p.m. | Rolling Stock Safety & Reliability
Dr. Rakoczy will present findings from dynamic impact testing evaluating tank car puncture resistance in derailment scenarios.Radim Bruzek, R&D Program Manager
Latest Advancements in FRA CWR and Track Buckling Research
Thursday, Nov. 20 | 10:30 a.m. | Track / CWR
Bruzek will review recent FRA research conducted at the TTC focused on rail neutral temperature management and the effects of frozen ballast on track stability.
ENSCO’s team will be on hand in two exhibits (Booth #247 and Booth #349) to showcase its automated track-and wayside inspection technologies and the world-class testing, training, and research capabilities at the TTC that support global safety and innovation. TTC representatives will invite attendees to explore opportunities for joint research and innovation that strengthen the global rail ecosystem.
For more information or to schedule a meeting with ENSCO representatives, contact Acacia Reber, Head of Brand Strategy & Engagement, reber.acacia@ensco.com.
ABOUT ENSCO, Inc.
ENSCO, Inc., and its wholly owned subsidiaries, represent a more than $190 million international technology enterprise with 750+ employees headquartered in the Washington, D.C., area. For more than 50 years, ENSCO has been providing leading-edge engineering, science and advanced technology solutions to governments and private industries worldwide. ENSCO operates in the aerospace, national security, and surface transportation sectors. ENSCO serves customers in cutting-edge, mission-critical environments where safety, security, reliability, and resilience are of paramount importance. ENSCO field offices and subsidiaries, representatives and partnerships are located throughout the United States and around the world. Learn more about ENSCO