8.40

Welcome to Country

Proud Wurundjeri man, Alex Kerr

8.50

Opening remarks from the Chair

Prof Ravi Ravitharan, Director, Monash Institute of Railway Technology (IRT)

9.00

OPENING KEYNOTE ADDRESS | The National Rail Manufacturing Plan and the Office of National Rail Industry Coordination – Helping the growth of a safe, fast and sustainable rail industry

Jacqui Walters, National Rail Manufacturing Advocate, Rail Industry Innovation Council

TECHNOLOGY

9.40

Bringing the digital world into the real world with an interoperable and connected ecosystem

Raphaelle Guerineau, Chief Executive Officer, Siemens Mobility Australia and New Zealand

10.20

Morning tea and networking break

11.00

KEYNOTE | Delivering Victoria’s Transport Infrastructure Projects

Josh Bull MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Transport and Level Crossing Removals, Victoria

PROJECT CASE STUDIES

11.30

Victoria’s Digital Build: Using digital information and technology to transform major project delivery

Matthew Kehoe, Director Digital Build, Office of Projects Victoria, Department of Treasury and Finance

12.00

SRL Case study: Reshaping Melbourne’s future

Mick Douge, Executive General Manager, Rail and Infrastructure Delivery, Suburban Rail Loop Authority (SRLA)

12.30

Lunch and networking break

Session chair: Michelle Doolan, Engineering Manager | Principal Track Engineer, John Holland

2.00

Delivering the next generation of trains and trams in Victoria

Ben Phyland, Head of Rollingstock Development, Department of Transport and Planning, Victoria

2.30

Cross River Rail | The ETCS journey to date

Rod McLeod, Sequence Alliance Director, ETCS European Train Control System, Cross River Rail Delivery Authority

3.00

Mobility as a Service: Queensland Case Study

Melissa Perkins, A/Executive Director Mobility as a Service, Department of Transport and Main Roads, Queensland

3.30

Afternoon tea and networking break

INNOVATION & COLLABORATION

4.00

INTERNATIONAL KEYNOTE | Bringing the gap in rail testing and infrastructure innovation

Prof Andy Doherty, Chief Technology Officer, Global Centre of Rail Excellence

4.30

INTERNATIONAL KEYNOTE | International collaboration in R&D for a more efficient, effective and safer railway

Gareth Evans, Head of Rail Technology, Network Rail
Felicity Osborn, Programme Manager for our International R&D Partnerships, Network Rail

HIGH SPEED RAIL

5.00

INTERNATIONAL KEYNOTE | The HS1 journey of sustainable innovation

Richard Thorp, Director of Engineering & Sustainability, HS1 Ltd

5.30

End of day one | Exhibition Networking Drinks

9.00

Opening remarks from the Chair

CYBERSECURITY

9.10

KEYNOTE| The new rules of cyber security: Protecting digital assets and critical infrastructure projects

Shilpa Maniar, Director – Critical Infrastructure Reform and International Engagement, Department of Home Affairs

9.40

The transformational leadership skills needed to achieve cyber security in the rail context

Şebnem Kurklu, Chief Information Security Officer, Aurizon

IoT & AI

10.10

Unleashing the power of IoT: How IoT is transforming rail networks

Freddie van Nieuwenhuizen, CTO, Kallipr

10.40

Morning tea and networking break

ADOPTION

11.20

Recent developments in applying Artificial Intelligence to the rail industry

Mark Wood, Chief Technology Officer, 4AI Systems & General Manager, Communications & Electronics, 4Tel

11.50

Building strategic roadmaps: Maximizing value and tackling challenges for effective business transformation

Kerry Maidment-Grocke, Technology Planning Manager – Engineering & Systems, Australian Rail Track Corporation

12.20

PANEL SESSION | Removing barriers to technology adoption

Facilitator:
John Fascio, National Business Leader, Safer Smarter Infrastructure, NTRO | ARRB

Panelists:
Raphael Kottel, Transportation & Railway Systems Projects Manager, Arc Infrastructure
Graham Bradshaw PSM, Director, Special Projects, Engineering & Maintenance, Sydney Trains
Louise Howard, Director, Louise Howard Advisory
Naomi Dickinson, Chief Technology Leader – Rail, Safer Smarter Infrastructure, NTRO | ACRI

1.00

Lunch and networking break

INDUSTRY CASE STUDIES: MAINTENANCE, INFRASTRUCTURE & SYSTEMS

2.00

Condition-Based Maintenance (CBM) optimisation for rail

Michael Cholette, Associate Professor, Faculty of Engineering, Queensland University of Technology

2.30

Challenges of adopting Onboard Energy Storage Systems (OESS) in heavy passenger rail

Zoltan David, Managing Director, Mage Consulting
Christopher Bowen, General Manager, Engineering Business Development and Bids, Downer

3.00

End to end autonomous inspection of rollingstock and infrastructure

Dr Owen Plagens, Co-Founder, Future Maintenance Technologies
David Jennings, Head of Maintenance and Operations, Future Maintenance Technologies

3.30

Close of conference

8.40

Welcome to Country

Proud Wurundjeri man, Alex Kerr

8.50

Opening remarks from the Chair

Teeshal Bal, Program Manager, Metro Trains Melbourne & Founder, Grit Leadership

SKILLS & WORKFORCE

9.00

KEYNOTE | Skilling Australia’s digital future

Alison Wall, Chief of Staff, Future Skills Organisation

INDUSTRY SOLUTIONS

9.30

Growing the rail workforce for the future: Update on the National Rail Action Plan

Mandi Mees, Head of National Rail Skills Reform, National Transport Commission

10.00

INTERNATIONAL KEYNOTE | Work ethics and mindsets: Lessons from the trains

Ayesha Qureshi, Senior Manager IT Infrastructure and Platforms, ONxpress Transportation Partners, Canada

10.30

Morning tea & networking break

11.10

INTERNATIONAL KEYNOTE | In partnership with our people, we deliver for our passengers

Kerri Ricketts, Head of Customer Experience, Govia Thameslink Railway UK (Go-Ahead Group)

11.40

A holistic approach to managing Melbourne’s tram driver shortage

Carla Purcell, CEO, Keolis Downer Yarra Trams

12.10

The future is now. Rethinking the role of the next-generation railway worker and their tool kit

Graham Bradshaw PSM, Director, Special Projects, Engineering & Maintenance, Sydney Trains

12.40

Lunch & networking break

1.50

How do we improve diversity in rail?

Jane Gillespie, Rail Team Lead, Victoria, Arup

2.20

Practical strategies to break down the barriers to empower women and nurture a more equitable workplace

Lisa Martello, Member, Board of Directors, National Association of Women in Construction & Director – Infrastructure Delivery, HKA

2.50

PANEL SESSION | Advances in diversity and inclusion

Facilitator:
Carina O’Brien, Head of Strategy ANZ, Siemens Mobility & Founder and Podcast host, Working Mumma

Panelists:
Lisa Martello, Member, Board of Directors, National Association of Women in Construction & Director – Infrastructure Delivery, HKA
Mandi Mees, Head of National Rail Skills Reform, National Transport Commission
Jill Walsh, Victorian Rail Advocate, Department of Transport and Planning, Victoria

3.30

Afternoon tea & networking break

4.30

Skills development for the future of rail

Dr Elias Kassa, Principal Engineer and Team Leader – Track Infrastructure, Monash Institute of Railway Technology (IRT)
Prof Ravi Ravitharan, Director, Monash Institute of Railway Technology (IRT)

5.00

INTERNATIONAL KEYNOTE | Join the future: The 4 Day Week

Andrew Barnes, Innovator, Entrepreneur, 4 Day Week Architect

5.30

End of day one | Exhibition Networking Drinks

9.00

Opening remarks from the Chair

Caroline McGeechan, Executive General Manager – Transport Consulting, SYSTRA ANZ

INTEROPERABILITY

9.10

Interoperability of people, technology and standards: Where are we and what’s the next steps

Sandra McKay, Executive Leading Rail Reform, National Transport Commission

9.40

RISSB Update: Interoperability and harmonisation

Damien White, CEO, RISSB

10.10

NTRO | ACRI Update

John Fascio, National Business Leader, Safer Smarter Infrastructure, NTRO | ACRI
Naomi Dickinson, Chief Technology Leader – Rail, Safer Smarter Infrastructure, NTRO | ACRI

BUILDING SOCIAL LEGACY

10.30

KEYNOTE | An inclusive future through technology

Dale Walker, Partnerships Manager, Cerebral Palsy Alliance

10.50

Morning tea & networking break

11.20

Connecting infrastructure to Country for cultural legacy

Allan Murray, Senior Manager – Indigenous Participation & Outcomes, WSP

11.50

NEW ZEALAND CASE STUDY

Revival of Regional Passenger Rail in Aotearoa New Zealand. Wellbeing benefits to the central North Island communities and beyond
Arnaud Deutsch, Technical Director – Advisory, WSP

12.30

Lunch & networking break

SUSTAINABILITY

1.30

Sydney Trains Net Zero emissions & energy efficiency initiative

Rod Barber, Director Environment & Sustainability Sydney, Transport for NSW

2.00

Evaluation of forecasting models for improved passenger market management and rolling stock planning on Indian Railways

Dr Vinod Bhatia, Executive Director, Computerization and Information Systems, Ministry of Railways, Government of India
Sanjeev Kumar, Executive Director, Ministry of Railway, Government of India

WELLBEING

2.30

Rail’s journey in supporting mental health

Greer McGowan, Manager Employee Wellbeing, Queensland Rail

RESILIENCE

3.00

A central asset management system to ensure resilience of rail infrastructure under extreme events

Prof Sujeeva Setunge, Associate Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research and Innovation, STEM College, RMIT

3.30

Close of conference

8.40

Welcome to Country

Proud Wurundjeri man, Alex Kerr

8.50

OPENING | Opening remarks from the Chair

Caroline Moss, Group Senior Manager Environment and Sustainability,
Queensland Rail

9.00

MINSTERIAL ADDRESS

Hon Catherine King MP, Minister for infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government

9.00

MINSTERIAL ADDRESS

Hon Catherine King MP, Minister for infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government

9.10

OPENING KEYNOTE ADDRESS | Making it real – Decarbonising rail freight operations in Australia

Andrew Harding, Managing Director & CEO, Aurizon

9.40

Australia’s carbon market and the implications for Australia’s economy

Vivek Dhar, Director – Mining and Energy Economist, Commonwealth Bank Australia

10.10

Queensland Rail’s decarbonisation journey – The risks and opportunities

Caroline Moss, Group Senior Manager Environment and Sustainability, Queensland Rail

10.40

Networking and refreshment break

11.45

SPONSOR ADDRESS

12.15

Proponent led method development process under the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) scheme

Verena Pichler, Director of Emissions Avoidance Methods, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

12.45

PANEL DISCUSSION |How are you empowering your business to think about decarbonisation as we head towards 2050?

Dr Mahdi Mason, Sustainability Manager, Queensland Rail
Dean Newburn, Regional Vice President, Global Services – Asia Pacific, Wabtec
Mary Roe, Executive Director, Development, Department of Transport and Planning
Rod Barber, Director Environment & Sustainability Sydney, Transport for NSW
Anitra Hobby, ESG Principal, Pacific National

1.30

Lunch and networking break

Session Chair

Cat Peppler, Group Executive Corporate, Aurizon

2.45

Next generation recycled materials

Prof Ravi Ravitharan, Director, Monash Institute of Railway Technology
Dr Cong Qiu, Deputy Team Leader – Railway Materials, Monash Institute of Railway Technology

3.15

CASE STUDY UPDATE | One year on – Sydney Trains net zero emissions initiative

Rod Barber, Director Environment & Sustainability Sydney, Transport for NSW

3.45

Networking and refreshment break

4.30

What is cutting edge rollingstock capable of

Raphaelle Guerineau, Chief Executive Officer, Siemens Mobility Australia and New Zealand

5.00

INTERNATIONAL KEYNOTE ADDRESS | Biomimicry – Innovation inspired by nature

Saskia van den Muijsenberg, Director, BiomimicryNL

5.30

Closing remarks from the Chair & Exhibition Networking Drinks

8.50

OPENING | Opening remarks from the Chair

Georgia Gosse, Principal, Aurecon

9.00

INTERNATIONAL KEYNOTE ADDRESS | Beyond emergency response: How America’s intercity passenger railroad is facing climate shocks

Kara Oldhouser, Director Sustainability, Amtrak

9.00

INTERNATIONAL KEYNOTE ADDRESS | Beyond emergency response: How America’s intercity passenger railroad is facing climate shocks

Kara Oldhouser, Director Sustainability, Amtrak

9.40

NEXT GENERATION SCHOLARSHIPS | Acknowledgment and presentation to the Next Generation Conference Scholarship Winners

10.00

INTERNATIONAL KEYNOTE ADDRESS | Opportunities to aid and accelerate rail decarbonisation

Michael Cleveland, Director of Advanced Energy, Progress Rail, A Caterpillar Company

10.30

Networking and refreshment break

11.15

Innovation is core….Decarbonisation has supercharged it!

Dean Newburn, Regional Vice President, Global Services – Asia Pacific, Wabtec

11.45

PANEL DISCUSSION | Engaging with your supply chains to lead innovation and better understand carbon emissions

Christopher Wong, Director, Industry & Local Content, Department of Transport and Planning
Alexis Davison, Executive Director, Engineering and Program Services, Major Road Projects Victoria
Dr Clarissa Han, Chief Technology Leader / National Leader, Sustainability and Materials Performance, NTRO | ARRB
Moderator: To be advised

12.30

An exploration of the future for battery and hydrogen traction power for passenger rail in Australia

Robert Angus, Principal, Rail & Mass Transit, Aurecon

1.00

Lunch and networking break

2.15

PANEL DISCUSSION | The opportunities for decarbonising freight and heavy haul rail

Jane Gillespie, Rail Team Lead, Victoria, Arup
James Petty, Head of Asset Management & Strategy, Aurizon
Jorge Martin Gistau, Sustainable Transport Advocate, Ricardo
Prof. Colin Cole, Director – Centre for Railway Engineering, CQ University
James Stephens, Senior Decarbonisation Strategy Engineer, Pacific National
Ellen Worthington, Manager, Integrated Sustainability, Aurecon

3.00

How are future climate forecasts being built into infrastructure management?

Speaker to be advised

3.30

CLOSING ADDRESS | Materials innovation to improve infrastructure sustainability and decarbonisation

Dr James Grenfell, Principal Professional, Sustainability and Materials Performance, Portfolio Leader – Sustainable Infrastructure Materials, NTRO | ARRB
Dr. Javad Yaghoubi, Senior Technology Leader, Sustainability and Materials Performance, NTRO | ARRB

4.00

4.05