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“Modern railways don’t just run on tracks — they run on safe, integrated systems that think, respond, and evolve.” — Akshaya Malaviya

We're thrilled to feature Akshaya Malaviya, one of Australia’s leading experts in signalling, train control, and rail systems engineering, on the 79th episode of the Railway Transportation Systems Podcast.

With more than 30 years across Indian Railways, ARTC, Queensland Rail, Metro Trains Melbourne, UGL and Interface Rail Engineering, Akshaya has shaped some of the most complex rail programs in Australia — from high‑capacity digital signalling (CBTC) to multi‑disciplinary systems integration, safety assurance, and major network enhancements.

In this episode, we dive into:

🔹 CBTC, ETCS and the realities of transitioning from legacy systems
🔹 Managing assurance for mega‑projects like the Melbourne Metro Tunnel
🔹 What true systems integration looks like across signalling, rolling stock, PSDs and control systems
🔹 Risk, governance and safety case development — done right
🔹 Technology selection, business case challenges and the future of digital rail

Whether you’re a signalling engineer, systems specialist, project director or simply passionate about the future of rail transport, this conversation is packed with insights from someone who has led at scale.

If you’re looking to understand where rail systems are headed — and what it takes to deliver them safely and effectively — this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

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“The challenge of the modern railway about the technology; it’s all about the people and the seamless integration of the functionality that technology enables into a living, breathing operational network while maintaining absolute safety and assurance.” — Mark Smith

We are thrilled to welcome Mark Smith (FIEAust CPEng Eng Exec), Project Lead at Australian Rail Industry Standards Organisation and former Executive Director at Transport for NSW, to our 78th episode of the Railway Transportation Systems podcast!

With over 30 years of experience across the UK and Australia, Mark has been at the forefront of some of the most complex rail transformations in recent history. From establishing and leading the engineering and assurance settings for the Digital Systems Program (ETCS L2) in Sydney to delivering an array of complex engineering services to enable multi-billion dollar transport infrastructure portfolios, Mark brings a wealth of "hands-on" executive experience to the table.

In this episode, we dive deep into:

• The Digital Shift: The technical realities of implementing ETCS Level 2, ATO, and Traffic Management Systems in brownfield environments.
• Systems Integration: Why "system-of-systems" thinking is the only way to deliver modern rail projects.
• The Human Element: Building engineering competency and the critical role of the Rail Safety Worker in a high-tech future.
• Leadership & Governance: How to balance commercial delivery pressures with rigorous safety assurance.

Whether you are a systems engineer, a project director, or an industry enthusiast, this conversation offers a masterclass in rail leadership and technical strategy.

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“Rail safety shouldn’t depend on clear skies. It should depend on clear perception.”

We’re thrilled to host Vicky Alman, CEO of NIART Systems, on the Railway Transportation Systems podcast.

In this episode, we explore how NIART’s radar-powered perception platform, is redefining rail safety and reliability—delivering long-range obstacle detection (1200m+), all-visibility performance, and a practical pathway from driver assistance to autonomous operations. We also dig into lessons from real-world projects with Indian Railways and Alstom, and how operators can integrate radar as an end-to-end solution or as a service.

Tune in to learn:

• Why radar is mission-critical in fog, rain, snow, and darkness
• How multi-sensor fusion builds safety redundancy
• The ROI story: preventing accidents, reducing downtime, increasing efficiency
• What’s next on the autonomy roadmap for rail

Learn more about NIART: niart-systems.com

The podcast is available on Spotify, Amazon Prime, Apple podcast, YouTube, Audible, Overcast, Castro, cast box and Pod friend wherever you listen.

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“Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands.” – Jeff Cooper

This week on the Railway Transportation Systems podcast, I’m joined by Carolyn Walsh, Chair of the National Transport Commission (NTC) and one of Australia’s most respected voices in transport safety and reform.

With over 40 years of experience across industry policy, regulation, and governance, Carolyn has been at the forefront of major reforms that have shaped how transport operates in Australia. From leading the establishment of the Independent Transport Safety and Reliability Regulator after the Waterfall tragedy to developing the National Rail Safety Model Bill and advising on Sydney Metro’s safety frameworks, her influence is deeply woven into our transport landscape.

Today, Carolyn is guiding the NTC through landmark achievements—most recently, securing Ministerial agreement to adopt ETCS as Australia’s national signalling and communications standard, a move widely welcomed by the rail industry.

🎙️ In this episode, we cover:
🔹 Lessons in leadership from decades of regulatory reform
🔹 Why ETCS adoption is a game-changer for Australian rail
🔹 The challenge of achieving national consistency in transport policy
🔹 Aligning safety, sustainability, and innovation for the future
🔹 Carolyn’s vision for the legacy of the NTC

This episode is a must-listen for those passionate about rail safety, regulatory reform, and the future of transport in Australia.

👉 Tune in to hear how Carolyn is helping drive safety and innovation across our national transport system.

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"Digital transformation isn’t just about systems—it’s about empowering people with the right information at the right time." – Scott Mc Gowan

We’re excited to welcome Scott McGowan, CEO of COSOL, to the latest episode of the Railway Transportation Systems podcast.

With a career spanning decades across rail, mining, and asset-intensive industries, Scott brings a powerful blend of leadership, strategic vision, and hands-on technical expertise. In this episode, we dive into:

🔹 The digital transformation journey in the rail sector
🔹 Integrating enterprise systems like SAP, Ellipse, and SCADA
🔹 Using data and mobility to unlock operational efficiency
🔹 COSOL’s global impact—from Australia to North America
🔹 The future of predictive analytics, sustainability, and innovation in transport

Whether you're a rail professional, systems engineer, or digital transformation leader, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss.

The podcast is available on Spotify, Amazon Prime, Apple podcast, YouTube, Audible, Overcast, Castro, Cast box and Pod friend wherever you listen.

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“The train is the most civilized mode of transport. You can read, move about, and—if you want—meet interesting people.” – Sir Michael Palin

Why has the U.S.—a nation of innovation—fallen so far behind in passenger rail? And what will it take to reinvent medium-distance travel for the modern age?

On the 75th episode of the Railway Transportation Systems podcast, I sit down with Joshua Dominic, Co-Founder & CEO of Dreamstar Lines, who is leading one of the most ambitious passenger rail projects in America today.

Joshua and his team are working to reintroduce overnight trains as a premium, sustainable alternative to cars and planes—starting with a luxury service between Los Angeles and San Francisco. With design partnerships like BMW’s Designworks and a landmark agreement with Union Pacific, Dreamstar aims to close the country’s “500-mile gap” in travel by combining comfort, convenience, and sustainability.

🎙️ In this episode, Joshua shares:
🔹 Why U.S. passenger rail lags behind the rest of the world
🔹 The untapped potential of overnight rail travel
🔹 How private enterprise can transform U.S. rail
🔹 The balance of luxury, innovation, and sustainability in Dreamstar’s vision
🔹 What the future of American medium-distance travel could look like

This is a must-listen for anyone passionate about rail, mobility, or sustainable innovation.

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🌟 “The great aim of education is not knowledge but action.” – Herbert Spencer

Railway Transportation Systems podcast is excited to host Ivan Ristić, a highly accomplished railway signalling and telecommunications engineer with 26+ years of experience leading complex rail infrastructure projects across Europe, the Balkans, and Africa.

From modernising over 100 stations with electronic interlocking systems to contributing to national ERTMS/ETCS programmes and integrating GSM-R and CBTC technologies, Ivan brings unmatched expertise and insights into delivering safe, efficient, and future-ready rail networks.

This episode dives into:
✅ The evolution of signalling systems from legacy to modern technologies
✅ Lessons from internationally funded projects (European Commission, EBRD, and more)
✅ Challenges of implementing ERTMS/ETCS and CBTC in existing networks
✅ The future of railway telecommunications and signalling innovation

Ivan’s career is a testament to turning knowledge into impactful action in railway modernisation.

🎧 Tune in to hear how Ivan’s leadership at Signalling Solutions d.o.o. is shaping railways for the future.

The podcast is available on Spotify, Amazon Prime, Apple podcast, YouTube, Audible, Overcast, Castro, Cast box and Pod friend wherever you listen.

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“We built Trax to solve the exact problems we faced on site — scattered QA, missed handovers, and endless duplication. It had to be practical, field-friendly, and built for rail” – Scott Walker

We’re excited to welcome Scott Walker, Co-founder of Railway Engineering Solutions (RES), to the latest episode of the Railway Transportation Systems podcast.

Scott shares the journey behind Trax, the digital platform built by rail engineers, for rail engineers — solving real-world challenges in QA, compliance, and handover processes on major infrastructure projects.

🎙 In this episode, we explore:
✅ How Trax helped enable the world’s first fully digital signalling commissioning
✅ The platform’s role in streamlining field data and eliminating duplication
✅ Upcoming innovations, including AI-powered workflows and digital config management
✅ Lessons from delivering high-profile projects like Metro Tunnel and Caulfield–Dandenong LXRP
✅ Scott’s advice for aspiring railtech entrepreneurs navigating delivery and disruption

Whether you're managing rail systems, testing & commissioning, or curious about digital transformation in transport — this is one conversation you don’t want to miss.

The podcast is available on Spotify, Amazon Prime, Apple podcast, Stitcher, Google podcast, Audible, Overcast, Castro, Cast box and Pod friend wherever you listen.