RTSA NZ Chapter End of Year Get Together – Goals for NZ Rail’s Technical Future

We’ll have presentation on two of key aspects of NZ rails technical future – the scale of the investment in KiwiRail’s assets and what it means for it’s technical focus as well as a look at the progress of using digital tools in rail in New Zealand. A short AGM for the NZ RTSA branch will also take place.

This free event will be broadcast across parallel sites in Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch with members and guests welcome to attend in any of these locations for networking with some drinks and nibbles before and after the presentations. The event will also be broadcast as a webinar for those not able to attend in person.

• Auckland: Beca’s offices; 21 Pitt Street, Aukland
• Wellington: Engineering New Zealand, L6, 40 Taranaki Street, Wellington 6011
• Christchurch: Beca’s offices, ANZ Centre, Level 2,267 High Street, Christchurch

KiwiRail’s plan for the future – KiwiRail is aiming to double its operating surplus within three years, an ambitious goal needed for its above rail business to become self-sufficient. Siva Sivapakkiam will be speaking about KiwiRail’s upcoming plans for doing this, including the investment of $8.6 billion by the government in recent years and what that will mean for rail in New Zealand. He will also be speaking about his vision for KiwiRail’s technical skill base in infrastructure and rolling stock, both of which form part of his team at KiwiRail.

Digital Engineering – the use of digital engineering tools has grown rapidly in rail work in New Zealand. Cameron Hyndman will be talking about Downer’s approach towards Digital Engineering in recent years, which has led to multiple digital solutions implemented on rail and other projects, including machine avoidance, digital permits and the use of A.I. to improve safety.

Siva Sivapakkiam is KiwiRail’s Chief Operating Officer – Rail Operations, overseeing all operational parts of the business including commercial revenue, freight logistics, networks infrastructure, engineering, and rolling stock asset services, areas which account for around 3000 of KiwiRail’s staff. Siva joined KiwiRail in 2015 and has worked in various leadership roles in his time there. Before moving to KiwiRail Siva had more than 15 years in the roading and construction industries both as a consultant and as a contractor.

Cameron Hyndman has 25 years’ experience in design, construction, and digital technologies. He was a key driving force behind the development and implementation of machine control and avoidance technology and other digital innovations on The Trentham to Upper Hutt Project – KiwiRail’s first BIM enabled project. Cameron was also responsible for overseeing BIM for building services on City Rail Link Contract 1 at Britomart and has been involved in many Waka Kotahi Projects. Cameron manages a team of over 15 people with wide-ranging digital skills and is involved in a number of digital initiatives across the Downer business.

Click here to register your interest on the Engineering New Zealand website.

The evening’s events are kindly supported by JMDR.

JMDR is a multi-discipline Rail Engineering Provider consisting of 450+ employees and subconsultants across 18 offices in 6 countries. Founded in 2008 it specialises in Signals Engineering Design, Construction, and Training, and also has the capability and industry partnerships to deliver end-to-end solutions for all rail projects.