Brad Cummings, Senior Vice President of Procurement and Contract Management at Austin Transit Partnership (ATP), has joined the agenda at Next-Gen Rail Systems, the communications, signaling and advanced technology conference presented by Railway Age, and formerly known as Next-Gen Train Control.
Brad’s presentation, “Beginning with the End in Mind: Utilizing the Procurement Process to Collaborate for Success,” will explore selecting the right procurement model and partnering with the supplier to build collaboration and trust. “This is sometimes taken for granted, or as an afterthought when it’s too late to have an impact,” he notes. “Working backwards from the end game allows the early stages of the project procurement process for collaboration from day one, and builds firm, considered and broad foundations with strong legal footing—a necessity for project success. Flipping the argument, failure to set the project on the right track from day one often leads to the agency, stakeholders, suppliers and customers frustrated by a project mired in poor relationships, legal disputes, delays and budgetary challenges, with all project KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) all heading the wrong way. You can just hear the ‘If only we had …’”
Meet Brad Cummings
At ATP, Brad leads the commercial strategy for the Austin Light Rail project. With more than a decade of experience managing commercial aspects of major transportation initiatives across the country, he has played key roles in projects such as a new streetcar system and two light rail extensions in Arizona, an innovative autonomous vehicle and technology-driven progressive DBOM project in Florida, and a new commuter rail development in North Central Texas. He is now working on helping ATP design and build Austin’s first light rail system. Before transitioning to the public sector, Brad practiced law at a Phoenix-based firm, focusing on complex contract litigation. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the University of Utah and a Juris Doctor from Arizona State University. Brad is a strong advocate for collaboration, believing it is essential to project success.
PATH Technology Tour
This year’s conference offers a bonus for attendees: A special tour hosted by PATH (Port Authority Trans-Hudson) spotlighting advanced technology the agency is developing and deploying on new railcars, fare collection systems and other customer interfaces. The tour, available on a first-come, first-served basis, occurs Oct. 29. Stay tuned for details.
“Next-Gen Rail Systems expands the focus of Next-Gen Train Control, the communications, signaling, and advanced technology conference presented by Railway Age since 1995,” saysEditor-in-Chief William C. Vantuono. “The new name reflects the evolving state of rail technology. Over the years, rapid technological developments such as AI (artificial intelligence), deep data analysis, machine learning, cybersecurity and telematics have transformed train control to become just one element of a complex, integrated platform. That’s why we’ve expanded the program to encompass the entire system. Sessions will examine how signaling and train control is constantly undergoing improvements and enhancements that deliver better safety, functionality, interoperability, versatility, and reliability, at lower life-cycle costs.
“Next-Gen Rail Systems is an essential gathering for all those involved in the growing rail systems market—whether your focus is transit, main line passenger, or freight. We are proud to present a rebranded, expanded event that features the same in-depth technical sessions and comprehensive project updates that attendees have come to expect. This conference, since its inception, has always been a ‘must attend’ event.”
In addition to Brad Cummins, among the leading experts in the NGRS lineup are keynote speaker Tom Prendergast, CEO of Gateway Development Commission; Kris Kolluri, President and CEO of New Jersey Transit; Mario Peloquin, President and CEO of VIA Rail Canada, Andy Byford, Senior Vice President and Senior Board of Directors Advisor, Penn Station New York; Dustin K. Lange, P.E., Senior Director of Engineering, Norfolk Southern, Mark Salsberg, Co-Principal of WDG Consulting; Michael Godfrey, Co-Principal and Chief Technology Officer, WGD Consulting; Matthew Kim, Assistant Vice President Enterprise Strategy, Canadian Pacific Kansas City; Wilson Milian, P.E., President and CEO of Milian Consultants, LLC; Pete Tomlin, Independent Consultant, Jonathan Kirby, Senior Director, NJT PTC, New Jersey Transit; Clarelle DeGraffe, General Manager, PATH; Steven Vant, Chief Signal Engineer, Conrail, Mike Palmer, Senior Project Manager, Parsons; Brian Yeager, Director Advanced Technology & Train Reliability, Norfolk Southern; Yousef Kimiagar, Vice President, Institution of Railway Signal Engineers; and Catherine Campbell-Wilson, Principal, StrategyFive.
Register now for Next-Gen Rail Systems, to be held Oct. 30-31, 2025, in Jersey City, N.J.
Railway Age conferences are known for providing valuable opportunities: networking with professionals from around the world; learning about innovative approaches to implementing advanced technologies; discovering new methods for procurement and contracting; providing input on standards development; becoming better-informed about ongoing and planned projects; and discovering what regulations are coming and how they could impact business.
Supporting Organizations
Industry support for Next-Gen Rail Systems is strong, including sponsorships from: 4AI Systems, Alstom, CSA – Critical Systems Analysis, Druid Software, Hitachi Rail, HNTB, KB Signaling, Milian Consultants, LLC., Parsons, Piper, SATS, and Siemens Mobility. To inquire about sponsorship opportunities, contact Jonathan Chalon at jchalon@sbpub.com or (212) 620-7224.
