In this episode, host Walt Bleser sits down with Jared Hopewell, AVP, Communications & Signals at Norfolk Southern, and Jason Schrader, Assistant Chief Engineer at CSX, to introduce what attendees can expect at the Communications, Signals & Information Technology (CS&IT) Symposium in Jacksonville, FL, March 3–5. The event will feature immersive field trips and presentations that cover the past, present, and future of the industry. If you're involved in rail technology or curious about where the industry is headed, this Symposium is the place to be. They also discuss the collaborative efforts of CS&IT Committees to advance safety signaling, an industry-wide initiative. Key topics include Positive Train Control and the growing role of AI in inspections, efficiency, and day-to-day operations. This is just a preview. Listen now to hear the full story behind the people and ideas driving these innovations and get all the details you need to join the conversation at the Symposium.

In this special follow-up to the Emerging Technologies panel at the AREMA 2025 Annual Conference & Expo in Indianapolis, host Walt Bleser and panelists Doron Cohadier (RailVision) and Jason Schindler (Object Computing) continue the exploration of how artificial intelligence is transforming the rail industry. The conversation dives into the evolution of the panel and the real-world applications of AI in rail safety, operational efficiency, and data-driven decision-making.

Doron and Jason explain how AI tools are designed to support, not replace, human workers. They emphasize the importance of high-quality data, human-in-the-loop systems, and regulatory collaboration. The episode also addresses industry concerns around job displacement, data ownership, and the future of autonomous rail operations.

With thoughtful insights and real-world examples, this episode encourages listeners to embrace change, understand AI as a tool, and prepare for a future shaped by innovation.

In this episode, host Walt Bleser chats with the two latest Watford Fellowship recipients, Matt Kirby, PE, MLE, M.ASCE, AVP/Director - Rail Public Projects & Programs at Michael Baker International, and Daniel Rappaport, Civil Engineer III – RLE at Chicago Transit Authority. The Watford Fellowship Program gives grants to two young rail or transit professionals for the Watford Conference, an international conference on rail and transit design and operations. The pair reflect on their experiences from this year’s Conference in London, England. They also share their perspective on global rail projects after field trips to major British rail infrastructure projects as part of the Conference. If you want to learn more about how AREMA helps professionals advance their careers, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

This episode, our host chats with Christopher Barkan, PhD, Professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Director of RailTEC, and Peter Masson, Director at TRC and Chair of Technical Committee 13 – Environmental about the upcoming Railroad Environmental Conference (RREC) and the new Sustainability & Resiliency (S&R) Day. The collaboration through AREMA and the RREC aims to integrate the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals into rail practices, fostering a more sustainable and resilient industry. Dr. Barkan discusses his history of leadership in rail research and education leading up to hosting RREC and the S&R Day. Peter shares his background in environmental planning and railroad compliance, emphasizing how sustainability and resiliency in railroading go beyond environmental issues to include community development, efficiency, and long-term viability. The episode highlights the importance of continuous improvement, supporting your goals, and engaging the next generation.

In what has become an annual tradition, Walt sits down with the incoming and outgoing AREMA Presidents ahead of the AREMA Annual Conference & Expo. Outgoing AREMA President William S. Riehl, III, PE, F.SAME (Genesee & Wyoming Inc.) reflects on a year of strategic partnerships, expanded member value, and the importance of steady leadership. He will be handing the reins to incoming President and current Senior Vice President Jerry W. Specht, EIT (CPKC), who is ready to take AREMA international, with plans to translate manuals into multiple languages and also highlight AI. Together, they preview the upcoming Conference & Expo in Indianapolis, featuring revamped scheduling, more inclusive education, and a renewed focus on the attendee experience. It’s a discussion of what’s ahead for the organization and the railway industry you won’t want to miss.

This episode, Walt sits down with Theo Vallis, VP Commercial, Luminary Logistics Solutions, and President of The Railway Industrial Clearance Association (RICA), and Greg McComas, Senior Manager Dimensional Clearances, BNSF, and Chair of AREMA’s Clearance Technical Committee. The trio takes a 360-degree view of the world of clearances and the movement of high-visibility cargo across the North American market. From blades to bridges, they cover how oversized cargo gets from A to B without taking out infrastructure. It is an entertaining ride through the world of dimensional freight that is all around us – watch your head.

In this episode of Platform Chats, Walt Bleser sits down with Kate O’Connor—Chief Engineer at the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) and member of AREMA’s Board of Governors—for a conversation that covers everything from 100-year-old bridges to modern-day megaprojects, and a little career wisdom in between.

Kate shares her journey from walking cables in New York to overseeing nearly everything at SEPTA, including track, power, stations, buildings, and cleaning crews. She discusses managing a $5 billion backlog, navigating tight budgets, and completing major bridge replacements without disrupting the system.

They also dig into mentorship, cross-department collaboration, and why showing up for your team and your industry still matters. A sharp, candid look at leading in public infrastructure, with a few laughs along the way.

To mark Platform Chats’ 10,000-download milestone, we’ve flipped the script and the mic. For the first time, our regular host is the interviewee. In this episode, guest host (and previous guest) Keith Bailey, founder of Articulated Intelligence and MC of the AREMA 2025 Annual Conference, chats with Walt Bleser, President & CEO of ARE Corporation, and an occasional podcast host. Walt shares how AREMA shaped his career and why relationships, not just résumés, move the needle. He also offers some valuable advice for advancing your career: listening more than you talk and raising your hand before you know what you’ve signed up for. The duo also discusses mentorship, the importance of curiosity, and how a century-old industry is quietly leaning into AI.

It’s an episode not to be missed.