On a trip to Europe Mrs Lisa Stabler, the new President of TTCI (Transportation Technology Center, Inc., USA) – the railway research and testing facilities of the Association of American Railroads (AAR) – met UIC Director-General Jean-Pierre Loubinoux on 11 September for an initial meeting on the current status and development of UIC’s activities with a focus on global research. Lisa Stabler, who was previously TTCI Vice President, will take office as President on 7 October. She succeeds Roy A. Allen who will retire.

Among issues of common interest participants addressed the preparation of the next UIC Global Signalling Conference to be held in 2012 in Denver, and jointly organised with AAR and TTCI.

During this meeting, Mrs Lisa Stabler was assisted by Mr Fidaursi Irani, AVP Business Development at TTCI, and the UIC delegation included Jerzy Wisniewski, Director of the UIC Fundamental Values Department (with responsibilities in the Research Unit) and Paul Véron, UIC Communications Director (also involved in WCRR issues).

TTCI in Pueblo manages the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Transportation Technology Centre located 21 miles northeast of Pueblo, Colorado. TTCI is operated under the care, custody and control contract with the FRA. This 52-square mile, secure and remote site operates with a vast array of specialised testing facilities and railways. TTCI enables isolated testing for all categories of freight and passenger rolling stock, vehicle and track components, and safety devices.