In the world of modern rail systems and transportation, reliable and resilient traction power infrastructure is not just a requirement; it is the foundation of safe, efficient, and sustainable mobility. At Parsons, we’ve made it our mission to deliver innovative traction power solutions that meet today’s challenges and anticipate tomorrow’s needs.

Built On Experience, Driven By Innovation

Parsons brings decades of experience designing and supporting complex rail systems to provide comprehensive power systems solutions across the U.S., Canada, and the Middle East. Our work spans a wide array of transit modes and environments. In every case, we’ve faced and overcome the most complex technical and operational challenges: maintaining full service during substation retrofits, integrating new third rail systems in operational environments, and delivering construction-ready designs under aggressive timelines.

Engineering For Seamless Operation

Our specialized teams design and retrofit substations across all rail and facility applications —from high-voltage traction substations to substations supporting maintenance facilities, stations, and signal power. We’ve worked on every type of electrified transit operating in the world. We excel at planning and executing cutovers that ensure continuous train operations throughout construction. This includes developing complex construction staging based on detailed designs, a strong understanding of the contractors’ means and methods, and key operational needs.

Predictive Simulation For Smarter Design

Our proprietary DC traction power simulation software (TRACKPAC®) is at the heart of our approach to strengthening rail systems. This tool models second-by-second vehicle movement, emulating network-wide power flows and providing accurate predictions of system behavior under all conditions.

Lifecycle Support From Planning To Commissioning

We offer comprehensive services throughout the entire lifecycle of traction power systems, including:

• Feasibility studies and simulations
• Substation design and retrofits
• Substation Ground grid design and systems grounding
• Overhead Catenary (OCS), Third rail, and power distribution
• Frequency converters
• Load break switches, contactors, and bypass breakers
• Construction support, testing, and commissioning
• Power quality and energy conservation studies

We bring a deep bench of multidisciplinary engineers with hands-on experience in rail operations and utility systems, ensuring that rail systems designs are not just theoretically sound but practically executable.

Powering A Sustainable Rail Future

We’re pushing traction power systems forward, focusing on greater sustainability, resilience, and efficiency. Our teams actively explore battery energy storage systems, load-leveling strategies, and other green technologies that reduce power draw, lower emissions, and enhance long-term affordability in rail systems.

The Parsons Difference

Parsons has long been a trusted partner in building the backbone of modern transportation. With deep expertise, proprietary tools, and a track record of keeping trains running during even the most complex upgrades, we deliver what rail systems need most: safe, sustainable power that is always in motion.

The post Power In Motion: How Parsons Is Electrifying the Future Of Rail appeared first on Parsons Corporation.

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For over 80 years, Parsons has been a leader in designing, engineering, and delivering transformative transportation systems that shape how cities and economies move. As we stand on the precipice of a new era in mobility, the integrated rail and transit industry faces unprecedented challenges: aging infrastructure, escalating urban populations, the impact of climate change, the rapid evolution of digital technologies, and an increasing demand for equitable, efficient transportation solutions.

Meeting these challenges requires more than conventional solutions; it demands a vision that integrates systems engineering, advanced technology, and agile project delivery strategies.

This includes commuter and intercity rail, light rail, high-speed rail, heavy metro, and bus rapid transit systems, each requiring a tailored approach to address the multifaceted challenges of today’s urban environments. But it’s not just about creating systems that function. It’s about creating integrated systems that anticipate future needs, empower communities, enhance mobility, and facilitate sustainable economic growth.

A Technical Approach To Integrated Solutions

Integrated systems engineering is at the heart of Parsons’ approach. As we continue to advance in our field, we recognize that the next generation of integrated rail and transit systems must be smart, resilient, and adaptable. We leverage cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, and predictive analytics to create systems that are not only safer and more efficient but also capable of continuously optimizing performance.

Redefining Rail And Transit

Fully optimizing our rail and transit systems is more important than ever. Explore our visionary approach.

Learn more.

Through a combination of digital twin technology, real-time monitoring, and data-driven decision-making, we ensure that every rail and transit solution we design is built for longevity and adaptability. Digital twins, for instance, enable the continuous virtual representation of our infrastructure, providing real-time insights that allow operators to proactively manage maintenance schedules, reduce downtime, and extend asset lifecycles. This is a game-changer for integrated rail systems, where predictive maintenance is no longer a futuristic concept but a practical tool to improve safety, reduce costs, and boost system efficiency.

At Parsons, we go beyond theoretical innovation. We apply these advanced technologies through every phase of the project lifecycle, from planning and environmental assessments to final design, systems integration, and commissioning. Our use of advanced modeling tools and simulation capabilities ensures that we’re not just building for today’s needs, but for tomorrow’s as well.

Shaping The Future Of Rail And Transit Infrastructure

Our deep expertise in both legacy infrastructure and emerging technologies positions us as the premier rail and transit systems firm, guiding the industry toward a future that is efficient, adaptable, and ready for the challenges of tomorrow.

In a rapidly changing world, the future of mobility depends on how we build today. At Parsons, we are proud to be at the forefront of this transformation, shaping the integrated rail and transit systems that will drive the world forward.

The post The Future of Mobility Depends On How We Build Today: Parsons’ Vision For Integrated Rail And Transit Systems appeared first on Parsons Corporation.

As Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) technologies advance at a rapid pace, so too do the cyber threats targeting them. Consequently, cybersecurity must be embedded at every stage of the development and deployment process, adopting a secure-by-design approach. These sophisticated solutions necessitate extensive network connectivity and integration, which significantly increases the attack surface and associated risks. The coexistence of legacy systems with new technologies further exposes critical infrastructure to potential threats. To navigate the digital transformation of transportation systems securely, several key principles must be adhered to.

Defensible Architecture: Creating a defensible architecture is paramount for fortifying the environment. This involves eliminating unnecessary network access points, enforcing stringent policy controls at IT/OT interface points, and addressing high-risk vulnerabilities. By minimizing potential entry points and implementing robust policies, the overall security posture is greatly enhanced.

Visibility and Monitoring: It’s hard to protect what you can’t see. A robust security posture requires maintaining an up-to-date inventory of assets, mapping vulnerabilities to those assets along with mitigation plans, and continuously monitoring network traffic for potential threats. This proactive approach ensures that anomalies and threats are detected and addressed promptly.

Secure Remote Access: Secure remote access is crucial for safeguarding ITS. Implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a proven IT control that can be effectively applied to OT environments. By requiring multiple forms of verification, MFA significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access.

Additional Cyber Hygiene Measures

In addition to traditional cyber hygiene practices, the following measures should be considered:

Data Encryption: Encrypting all data transmitted between devices is essential to protect against unauthorized access. Encryption ensures the integrity and confidentiality of data, rendering it unreadable to potential attackers.

Authentication Protocols: Robust authentication protocols are necessary to verify the identity of communicating entities. This ensures that only authorized devices and users can access the system, mitigating the risk of impersonation attacks.

Regular Software Updates: It is critical to update software regularly and promptly patch vulnerabilities. Keeping systems current ensures that known security flaws are addressed, reducing the risk of exploitation.

Incident Response Plan: An effective incident response plan is vital for swiftly and effectively mitigating potential cyber-attacks. This plan should outline the steps to be taken in the event of a security breach, ensuring a coordinated and efficient response.

Vulnerability Assessments: Conducting regular assessments of infrastructure and system perimeters, as well as internal components, helps identify potential risks and threats. These assessments provide valuable insights into vulnerabilities, enabling proactive measures to be taken.

Maintenance: Maintaining up-to-date firmware and software for ITS systems is a crucial preventive measure. Regular maintenance ensures that systems are running the latest security patches and updates, reducing the risk of exploitation.

Connected And Protected

As ITS technologies continue to evolve, the importance of cybersecurity cannot be overstated. By adopting a secure-by-design approach and implementing comprehensive security measures, we can protect critical transportation systems from ever-evolving cyber threats.

The post Advancing Mobility With Data — Part 3: Secure By Design appeared first on Parsons Corporation.

Asset management is becoming an instrumental part of the transportation industry as the success of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) and maintaining roadway infrastructure is dependent on the condition of its assets.  

It’s crucial to have access to detailed and accurate information about the condition of various assets for optimal asset management. Traditionally, obtaining insights about the condition of assets such as bridges, roads, and traffic signs have been through human inspection, often involving manual processes such as paper and pen documentation. However, this method is not only time-consuming but prone to errors and delays. This is where connected autonomous vehicle (CAV) data comes in.

Through a combination of on-vehicle video and sensors, the ability to quickly identify assets in specific corridors and arterials is made possible. A baseline of assets can be quickly established, and with regular feeds of data, it’s possible to identify what has changed. By leveraging this data, transportation agencies can prioritize and plan maintenance and repairs more effectively, ensuring that resources are allocated where they are needed most.

Some of the more prevalent assets that can be monitored through connected autonomous vehicles are:

• Road Signs: A baseline of road signs in a designated corridor can be established. Regular vehicle data feeds will help roadway maintenance teams identify the condition of road signs, especially missing or damaged signs. This data can be utilized to initiate prompt action.
• Road Striping: Clear road striping is essential for both human drivers and autonomous vehicles relying on lane-keeping assistance systems (LKAS). Sensors measure reflectivity levels ensuring visibility under various lighting conditions; this ensures timely repainting when necessary.
• Monitoring Guard Rails: Guard rails are critical safety features that prevent vehicles from veering off the road. CAV sensors can detect damage to guard rails caused by collisions or wear and tear. This data facilitates quicker identification of damage, enabling more timely action.
• Detecting Potholes: Sensors on CAVs can identify potholes and their size based on changes in vehicle dynamics, such as sudden jolts or vibrations. Accurate location data allows maintenance crews to prioritize repairs effectively.

improved Work Order Maintenance

The integration of CAV data with work order maintenance systems also revolutionizes asset management by enabling automated notifications and more proactive maintenance strategies. For instance, using asset data, transportation agencies can develop predictive maintenance schedules to prevent asset failures, reduce long-term maintenance costs, and improve roadway safety.

With the rise of artificial intelligence and machine learning, it’s possible to see a future state where the CAV data collected will lead to:

• Geospatial Analysis: By analyzing the location data of identified issues, the system determines clusters of assets within specific geofenced areas.
• Optimal Routing: The system calculates optimal routes for maintenance crews, minimizing travel time and maximizing productivity.
• Batch Processing: Assets within close proximity are grouped together for simultaneous maintenance activities, reducing operational costs and downtime.
• Resource Allocation: Efficient grouping allows for better allocation of resources such as materials and labor force required at each site.

Data Management Platform

Data is more powerful when aggregated and accessible from a “single pane of glass” platform, like our advanced transportation management platform, iNET^®. It’s one place where users access all the data needed to manage assets, optimize operations, and collaborate with vendors and team members. By integrating data from multiple sources and leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning, iNET^® helps improve the management, efficiency, effectiveness, and safety of transportation networks big or small. 

Driving Asset Management

The integration of CAV data into asset management marks a significant advancement in the transportation industry. This shift not only enhances the ability to monitor and maintain critical road assets, but also enables proactive and predictive maintenance strategies, delivering smarter, safer, and more cost-effective solutions for maintaining our vital infrastructure.

The post Advancing Mobility With Data – Part 2: Asset Management appeared first on Parsons Corporation.

In today’s fast-paced world, the demand for efficient and sustainable transportation infrastructure is more pressing than ever. As urbanization accelerates and technological advancements reshape our cities, integrated infrastructure solutions become paramount to realizing outcomes around safety, mobility, and travel time reliability.

Systems Integration Mindset

Organizations can maximize roadway value across all project delivery stages—from planning and design to construction, operations, and maintenance—by developing a comprehensive integrated data environment strategy with a Systems Integration Mindset.

This mindset is focused on a user-centric framework, considering the needs of various personas and use cases throughout every stage of a project—from identifying the need for infrastructure work to the final implementation. By developing personas, public sector staff, operators, managers, and partner agencies can collectively create a foundation that addresses individual needs and ensures a safe, reliable experience for all. Whether it’s monitoring real-time systems or determining future funding, an integrated systems approach is crucial to meeting the needs of diverse personas and ensuring the success of transportation projects.

Planning: The Foundation of Success

Efficient planning is essential for any successful transportation infrastructure project. By understanding the unique needs and developing a strategic roadmap, city planners and transportation leaders can address their many challenges, such as growing congestion, road safety, aging infrastructure, meeting sustainability objectives, interagency coordination, and securing transportation systems. This work often begins with developing personas and use cases, while keeping the end state in mind from the beginning, which is the first step of the Systems Integration Mindset.

Detailed implementation plans also serve as a roadmap for agencies setting up their Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) architecture to ensure they’re in compliance with industry standards when planning transportation system management and operations (TISMO) strategies. Developing an ITS program from scratch requires meticulous planning that can result in significant improvements in traffic management and safety.

For instance, Parsons’ work with Lake County, Illinois, exemplifies how meticulous planning can lead to award-winning outcomes. By helping Lake County stand up their ITS program and creating an implementation phasing plan, we ensured a clear path forward for ten years. This detailed planning resulted in nine different awards for Lake County’s ITS infrastructure.

Design: Integrating Cutting-Edge Technology

The next step is design—where innovation meets practicality and cutting-edge technology is integrated into transportation infrastructure. This crucial stage benefits from the Systems Integration Mindset by finding practical, implementable traffic management center (TMC) solutions that consider every user persona.

Over the past decade, our transportation experts have completed more than 65 TMC design, integration, and operation projects, including assessments of existing operations and technology. Whether a project involves new site development, deployment, or installation, utilizing consistent, proven strategies for project execution ensures that every project is successful and meets or exceeds the key performance indicators established at the start.

In 2014, Parsons developed the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) guidelines for virtual transportation management centers, positioning us at the national forefront of the TMC design and technology evolution. We have implemented state-of-the-art transportation management centers that serve critical operational functions, including incident management, event management, and emergency response management.

Construction: Ensuring Efficiency And Safety

The construction phase brings designs to life but can present challenges that require meticulous management if baseline connectivity and tools that enable communication and information sharing between contractors, public sector staff, consultants, and the public aren’t present. These tools are key components of the Systems Integration Mindset.

In the world of roadway construction management, broadband infrastructure deployment plays a crucial role. From real-time data and communication to remote monitoring and maintenance, broadband connectivity enables construction teams to work more efficiently and effectively. With access to high-speed internet, project managers can gather data and collaborate with team members in real time, making it easier to identify and address issues as they arise. Additionally, remote monitoring and maintenance tools can help keep construction projects on track and ensure they are completed on time and within budget. As the country continues to invest in transportation infrastructure, we need to acknowledge broadband connectivity is a crucial component in the success of these projects and continue to advocate for broadband at the federal level.

From work zone lane closure permit management to field inspections, a thoughtful application of technology assists with coordinating multiple contractors, agencies, and testing documentation. For example, our work zone lane closure permit management system has successfully streamlined the process of coordinating and scheduling road work for the Ministry of Transportation in Ontario. This fully scalable web-based solution has been in operation for 12 years and is used by hundreds of ministry staff, contractors, and consultants daily. With thousands of transactions every construction season, this system has proven to be a critical tool for integrated and coordinated work zone management, ensuring that projects are completed safely, efficiently, and on time.

Operations & Maintenance: Sustaining Long-Term Value

The final stage—operations and maintenance—is where long-term value is realized through sustained performance optimization strategies tailored specifically for each project’s needs. In general, operations and maintenance are the realization of the Systems Integration Mindset, where the overall systems and user-focused approach delivers a successful project from day one and into the future.

Advanced ITS solutions, such as our smart mobility platform, iNET^®, play a pivotal role in this stage. Using data from a variety of sources, iNET creates an integrated data environment with a “single pane of glass” view to facilitate proactive maintenance measures and responsive traffic management. This systems integration solution helps reduce congestion and improve safety while integrating seamlessly into existing systems to ensure maximum efficiency and enhanced situational awareness for operators, managers, and users.

The City of Dubuque, Iowa is a great example of how iNET^® can be tailored to enhance collaboration in the city and the region. Dubuque is not a large city but is experiencing what many larger cities experience: congestion. To address this issue, we are utilizing iNET^® to deliver real-time modeling of the city’s traffic network to determine the best traffic mitigation plan at any given time based on real-time traffic data. iNET^® also provides travel times throughout the city to help motorists determine the best route to take in unusual conditions. Our integrated approach ensures seamless operation and management of roadway incidents to help Dubuque manage traffic throughout the city.

Success with An Integrated Approach

The transportation industry is rapidly evolving, and transportation infrastructure is critical to a city or region’s success. By implementing an integrated approach that encompasses all project delivery stages, we can achieve optimized roadways. To do this, public sector agencies and their supporting consultants need to adopt a Systems Integration Mindset at every project stage. Realization of this adoption will be seen by the network effect, where every user has what they need when it’s needed, and the system itself is more valuable than the sum of users benefit collectively. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and advanced ITS solutions, we can create a smarter, safer, and more sustainable future for transportation infrastructure.

The post Optimize Infrastructure Success By Always Keeping The End In Mind appeared first on Parsons Corporation.

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) are revolutionizing the way we approach mobility. With the rapid rise in urbanization, the demand for smarter, safer, and more efficient transportation networks has become increasingly critical and data is the key to this evolution.

Connected and autonomous vehicles, adaptive signal timing plans, proactive pedestrian awareness, decision support systems, road asset management, and disseminating travel information to commuters, are all essential in ensuring safer and more efficient roads, and their foundation is built upon the integration of data with artificial intelligence (AI).

However, this technological progression highlights the need to architect solutions with a stronger emphasis on cybersecurity and improving the overall cybersecurity posture for critical infrastructure.

In this three-part series, we explore how data can be leveraged to support the Vision Zero initiative, optimize the maintenance and modernization of transportation infrastructure, and eliminate cyber threats before they occur.

Vision Zero

Data is at the heart of the most advanced transportation safety initiatives, like Vision Zero. Vision Zero is a global initiative aimed at eliminating all traffic fatalities and severe injuries while increasing safe, healthy, and equitable mobility for all. Data plays a crucial role in achieving these outcomes by providing insights into traffic patterns, identifying high-risk areas, enabling proactive measures to prevent accidents and more:

1. Identifying High-Risk Areas: Traffic data can help pinpoint locations with a high number of incidents, allowing for targeted interventions such as improved signage, better lighting, and redesigned road layouts.
2. Real-Time Monitoring and Response: Traffic data provides real-time information on traffic conditions, enabling quicker responses to accidents and hazardous conditions, thereby reducing the likelihood of secondary incidents.
3. Predictive Analytics: Using historical traffic data, predictive models can be developed to forecast potential accident hotspots and response times, allowing for proactive measures to be implemented.
4. Behavioral Insights: Traffic data can reveal patterns in driver behavior such as speeding, running red lights, hard braking, or frequent lane changes. It can also bright-line peak hours and seasonal variations, all of which can inform educational campaigns and enforcement strategies aimed at promoting safer driving habits.
5. Infrastructure Planning: Data on traffic flow and congestion can guide the design and implementation of safer road infrastructure, including pedestrian crossings, bike lanes, and roundabouts.
6. Policy Development: Comprehensive traffic data can support the development of policies and regulations that promote road safety, such as speed limits, traffic calming measures, and vehicle safety standards.
7. Public Awareness: Sharing anonymized and aggregated traffic insights with the public can raise awareness about road safety issues and encourage community involvement in Vision Zero initiatives.
8. Enhanced Technology Integration: Traffic data can be integrated with advanced technologies like connected and autonomous vehicles, adaptive traffic signals, and smart city infrastructure to create a safer and more efficient transportation ecosystem.

Data Sources

OEM data is one of the richest data sources in ITS that can help support Vision Zero. This data is collected from various sensors and systems embedded in modern vehicles and can be used in multiple ways to enhance safety. For example, understanding when and where the airbags are deployed provides meaningful insights for traffic management centers to activate emergency services sooner, leading to reduced risk in secondary incidents and improved responder safety.

Aggregating data from other sources, such as traffic signal controllers, environmental sensors, GPS devices, traffic cameras, and connected vehicles (CV), can significantly impact driver behavior. Information such as weather, road conditions, and what other vehicles ahead are doing, shared through connected vehicle technologies like onboard unit messaging, combined with ITS devices managed by traffic management centers such as dynamic message signs, can prevent incidents by course-correcting drivers’ behavior in real time.

Data Management

However, the key to unlocking the full potential of this data lies in its effective management. This involves the ingestion into a common data platform, like our advanced transportation management platform, iNET^®, for aggregation and data science. By doing so, meaningful insights can be extracted from the data, providing valuable information that can be used to make our roads safer and more efficient. Identifying patterns in historical data can also help indicate root causes of incidents and lead to more effective mitigation strategies. When combined, these insights can help save crucial minutes in emergency response time, ultimately maximizing the potential for saving lives.

Safety First

By leveraging traffic data in these ways, cities and communities can make informed decisions that align with the Vision Zero initiative, ultimately creating safer roads for everyone.

The post Advancing Mobility With Data — Part 1: Vision Zero appeared first on Parsons Corporation.

Today, we are joined by two veterans of the electrification movement. Jim Valerio is VP of Business Development for North American Intelligent Infrastructure at Parsons and plays a key role in our Zero-Emission Bus initiatives and planning work. John Daly is a Senior Growth Operations Manager at Parsons, specializing in utility cybersecurity and assisting anyone who needs to manage their energy. Read along as they discuss electrification, Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems (DERMS), electrifying public transit fleets and what the future holds for these industries.

Electrification is a widely used term. How would you define it?

Jim: As we all work to decarbonize our everyday life, from transportation to our homes to our workplace and to the fulfillment of our basic needs, the generation, storage, and use of electricity will be essential. Therefore, I see this term as the embodiment of the work we are undertaking to create a single resource that is generated in a cleaner way, stored, distributed in an efficient manner, and, ultimately, delivered to us safely and sufficiently. So, electrification surrounds every industry as the shared goal to achieve this transformation.

John: There are lots of approaches happening simultaneously to combat climate change as we try and mitigate its effects. I see electrification as one of those approaches.

Flipping our reliance as a society from technologies that utilize carbon-based, non-renewable power resources, like coal, to electricity-powered resources (which can be renewable) is a simple way to think about the term electrification.

The movement has tons of variables, as Jim mentioned, as more things need more electricity than in the past, and with that, we get a greater power demand. But in order to save the planet and make Earth livable for future generations, we need to move to more renewable technologies rapidly.

How is Parsons involved in the electrification movement?

Jim: Our contribution has been focused on supporting the conversion of electrifying public transit fleets to zero-emission (ZE) alternatives, such as battery-electric buses and vehicles. Additionally, we are helping to design the electric vehicle charging equipment necessary to keep vehicles operating smoothly and without any interruption to the service they provide workers and riders. Integrating solar technology into new infrastructure at bus depots is another innovation we deliver, creating natural and clean electricity generation. For our clients, we must consider resiliency as we design and implement these transitions, understanding that emergency responsiveness is necessary when natural disasters may cause utility systems to fail. The battery electric storage systems (BESS) we design provide this resiliency.

John: Energy management is another angle Parsons is taking to help address climate change. Our Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems (DERMS) and Meter and Operational Data Management (MODM) technologies are designed specifically to help utilities manage demand loads as increases in power demand strain the electrical grid. Our DERMS solution helps utilities smoothly integrate and manage renewable energy sources, keeping the grid running efficiently even as power demands rise. By smartly balancing supply and demand, DERMS makes energy distribution more efficient and reduces carbon emissions, pushing us towards a greener future. Our MODM technology complements this by effectively managing meter and operational data, enhancing the reliability and performance of the grid. We’re advancing these technologies for microgrids and working with a range of utilities, from resource-strapped rural providers to large power utilities.

What are the benefits of electrification?

Jim: Too many to list here! The most important benefits are sustainability through the clean generation of energy. With this comes reduced air pollution. Electric vehicles are typically quieter while operating and have fewer moving mechanical parts, thus reducing long-term repair and maintenance costs.

John: Climate change will continue to damage our planet and many of its effects are already irreversible in parts of the world. We are working to mitigate the impacts of climate change by adopting as many decarbonizing technologies as possible. Short term, electrification allows people to live without the worry of blackouts affecting their lives as we can establish uninterrupted and renewable energy solutions for the grid. Long term, we can make the planet hospitable for future generations. There is no greater mission than that.

What are the challenges you’ve seen in this space?

Jim: Wide adoption continues to meet with resistance (see the electricity pun I infused there?), largely because this type of large-scale transformation requires collective action, support, and significant new funding. Electrification is also not a simple solution. The mining, manufacturing, and recycling of materials used in lithium-ion and cobalt batteries required for electrification is arguably worse for the environment in the long term. Additional innovation – beyond the type of power – is needed to improve how the power is stored and used in a sustainable way. Also, I hope Parsons can participate in the pursuit of recycling efforts for all lithium-ion and cobalt batteries, as this will decrease costs/expenses while improving the sustainability of electrification for all users.

John: Power distribution technology is extremely old and inefficient to handle the uptick in power needs. The more things that flip to electric, like transportation and mobility, the more infrastructure is needed to handle the demand. The United States is focused on upgrading the grid to handle this rising power demand we’re facing. The biggest challenge with this is the time it takes to do so. There’s an exponential growth of power demand in our country, and the sooner we upgrade components of the aging grid, from transmission lines all the way to neighborhood transformers, the better. This prevents power outages due to overloads. Much of the U.S. power grid is decades old and wasn’t designed to even handle the current load demands. For example, 70 percent of transmission lines are over 25 years old. We’re also strapped for time on how long it takes for distributed energy resources like utility-scale solar projects and wind energy projects to build out. That’s why platforms like Parsons’ DERMS solutions are critical bridges in load management as the grid gets its upgrade.

What do you think the future holds for electrification?

Jim: We must continue to push and strive for better but remain cautious about how fast we get there. For now, finding places where innovative technology meets with the ideas of passionate people is exactly where I want to be!

John: The future of electrification is incredibly promising and essential for our planet’s sustainability. We’re going to see rapid advancements in renewable energy technologies and grid infrastructure upgrades. This means continued investment in smart grid technologies, like our DERMS and MODM solutions, to efficiently manage and distribute power. Electrification will also drive innovation in sustainable energy storage and microgrid systems. My guess is that we will see more decentralized energy production, with communities generating their own renewable energy and contributing to the grid.

Overall, electrification will mitigate climate change impacts, improve energy security, and create a more resilient energy system. Like Jim, I’m excited that we get to be a part of this for a living.

The post Electrifying Our Future: A Q&A With Parsons’ Electrification Experts appeared first on Parsons Corporation.

What if we were able to ask transportation management software questions about traffic patterns, the availability of other modes of transportation, parking options, and traffic incidents and their causes to better understand the past, present, and future of mobility in a matter of minutes?

The artificial intelligence (AI) market is expected to grow from $200B in 2023 to $1.2T by 2030, which implies AI-enabled technology will be universal and integrated into almost every facet of our lives (Thormundsson, 2023). AI capabilities are already making a significant impact on how we live and move throughout our communities. For example, the integration of AI into smart mobility platforms is improving the management, efficiency, sustainability, and safety of our transportation networks.

By using the power of AI, transportation stakeholders are empowered to make informed, data-driven decisions in real-time, resulting in timely actions. AI enhances smart mobility platforms through the following methods:

1. Significant time savings through automation and guidance
2. Evolution from reactive to predictive insights
3. Comprehensive multi-dimensional views with a system of systems approach​

Significant Time Savings Through Automation And Guidance

AI fused with natural language allows us to move away from the maxim “created by engineers for engineers” to a flexible and intuitive system that delivers timely information and guidance to the right transportation professional, whether they are executive directors, managers, operators, maintenance personnel, or a driver, public transit commuter, or field maintenance worker.

For example, an engineering manager within a city or statewide department of transportation (DOT) can use AI-enabled software to ask, “Show me a time when a snowstorm caused intense braking and sliding at intersections as seen by the following data sources: AVL data from the vehicle, stop bar violations and near miss analytics. Show me a comparison of when a snowstorm starts versus a temperature drop of 15 degrees in one hour.” Based on the data, the engineer can create an automated workflow by telling the system, “In the future, when the temperature drops 15 degrees in one hour and there is moisture on the road, increase yellow light time at all arterial intersections by five seconds. Provide a report with before and after analysis, including an analysis on the impacts to crosswalk conflicts and near miss collisions.”

Evolution From Reactive To Predictive Insights

Through the evolution of analytics, AI is taking us from insight, “what happened?”, to foresight, “what will happen?” or “how can we predict what will happen?”.  By using anticipatory intelligence, we transition from reactive to proactive action to improve safety response times. Over time, we can correlate crash and weather datasets with real-time, travel time data to trigger alerts when conditions warrant intervention and provide guidance on the optimal placement of safety personnel and EMS vehicles to potentially save more lives.  

As transportation agencies have grown and ubiquitous computing is available at edge, the number of intelligent transportation system (ITS) and Internet of Things (IoT) devices maintained by state agencies has grown substantially. With limited budgets for maintenance, it’s increasingly important to know exactly where funding and efforts should be focused to realize the maximum benefit. When applied to asset management, artificial intelligence can greatly improve maintenance efficiencies by using various IoT outputs, aggregated data streams and foundational data science principals, to identify when devices, or groups of devices, are starting to malfunction. This data, when analyzed over a period of time, can provide insight into which devices are failing and create prioritized maintenance schedules to ensure critical device components are kept online and operational. Using geospatial algorithms, AI can also identify and prioritize areas where clusters of devices require maintenance, enabling highway departments to group work efforts and manage repairs and preventative maintenance more efficiently.  Furthermore, physical infrastructure can be monitored using connected vehicle data, LiDAR, and video analytics to identify unsafe driving conditions such as missing or damaged roadway signs, potholes, or damaged guardrails. Ultimately, by tracking conditions and performance and mapping to equipment specifications, these rich datasets of ITS and infrastructure assets can eliminate the guesswork of maintenance planning and provide the necessary insights planning officials need when budgeting for preventative maintenance or seeking to extend the life of agency assets.

Comprehensive Multi-Dimensional Views With A System Of Systems Approach

Working in data silos and within disparate systems make AI capabilities nearly impossible. It will certainly limit interoperability and data-driven action.To address this challenge, agencies must implement an integrated platform in which data from disparate systems can be aggregated, visualized and managed in one place. By utilizing AI’s ability to efficiently analyze and optimize vast amounts of aggregated data for a holistic view of activity and valuable insights that may not be immediately apparent, public-sector agencies can quickly provide information to their customers. For example, measuring “improved sustainability” can include data from air quality, electrification, and smart lighting projects, while “improved safety” can include video analytics, weather monitoring, and data from vehicles, such as sudden braking. Each one of those outcome areas have vast quantities of data, which, when combined with mobility outcomes data such as multi-movement counts, travel time reporting, or smart parking, it becomes difficult to understand as a holistic system. Additionally, by analyzing historical data and trends, AI can help stakeholders understand the current state, highlight potential intervention needs, and examine the efficacy of interventions.

We are now at an inflection point where we can progress from “smart” to “wise” using AI in transportation. For years, our team has delivered AI-enabled capabilities, bringing innovative solutions such as dynamic ramp metering using fuzzy logic, and responsive traffic signal control with AI inferencing and incident detection using historical traffic data trends and modeling. As we move forward, our smart mobility experts are building advanced capabilities into the iNET® Smart Mobility Platform using cloud services such as Azure Cognitive Services, Azure OpenAI, Azure ML and Computer Vision. By using regression models and training them with transportation related data, such as speed, weather, and volumes, the incident detection engine can learn and detect anomalous conditions that help drive decisions before incidents occur. In addition, using trained video detection models, the system can survey snapshots of video over time to detect deteriorating infrastructure, potholes, and intersections with high rates of near-miss collisions. Finally, as we move into this new world of interactive AI bots, building a conversational “personal assistant” within the iNET® application will help guide operators on required actions, interpret thousands of pages of operational manuals within seconds for quick recall, and provide an easy interface into system functions, thus lessoning the overall training burden on operations staff. The potential to recognize these positive interventions within traffic operations at the holistic level down to the intersection level, will lay the groundwork for applying these technologies across a variety of states, regions, cities, and neighborhoods. 

As we stand on the precipice of a new age, the role of AI in revolutionizing transportation becomes increasingly clear. Our journey began at the inception of this transformative technology, and we have remained pioneers driving value and fostering acceptance within the sector. Our commitment to harnessing the power of AI enables our clients and cities to tap into unprecedented levels of efficiency, safety, and sustainability. This is the dawn of a new era, and we are leading the charge towards a smarter, greener future.

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The mobility electrification of America is happening right now and accelerating faster than utilities may have expected. Every day, more EVs are driving around our communities and becoming less of a novelty than a few years ago. Electric vehicles have become more cost-effective to operate and better for the environment than gas or diesel vehicles; the switch was an easy one to make. The obligation for a proper way to manage the increased demand for power is critical to every utility with more EVs on the streets. The energy demand is here and only getting bigger. It’s time to get a solid distributed energy resource system in place to meet end users’ demands and ensure the approach to doing so is cost-effective.

How Big Is This Demand?

When you look at the facts on the energy supply impact for charging stations, it might keep a grid operator up at night. Let’s look at an example: DirectCharge Fast Current (DCFC) charge stations have a 350 kW capacity in each pump. A mall that has 10 DCFC stations has 3.5 MW of load capacity required at one store. Yes, only one store. As EV infrastructure scales and a utility has 10’s or 100’s of stores, these DERMS may reach 35 TO 350 MW of capacity within a utility. Now think about all the EV fleets coming to town needing a place to charge – be it school buses or delivery trucks.

In the last 10 years, the domestic EV marketplace has grown from 16,000 to more than 2 million vehicles, and automotive executives predict that more than 50% of vehicles on our roads will be all-electric by 2030. Americans will have to charge these vehicles and there’s a plan to meet that need. The bipartisan National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure funding bill plans for the installation of 500,000 DCFC charge points. The US grid capacity in 2021 was 1.14 billion kW and adding 500K charge points is going to bring an additional load capacity required by the grid between 75 million kW and 225 million kW when they all come online.

DERMS To The Rescue

This is not an unsolvable problem; just one utilities have to get organized around. Grid operators are currently pulling various resources across the power generation spectrum to meet these demands. This is done using Distributed Energy Resources (DER) and not looking to a single generation type for power. DER includes wind, solar, backup storage, barriers, and flexible loan management resources combined with legacy supplies and the current grid infrastructure. The challenge we see is the need to manage capacity within a utility with proper planning and scheduling. This is where DERMS comes in. DERMS provides a robust, comprehensive, cyber-secure solution for integrating, distributing, and consuming a grid’s available resources with an easy-to-use web portal.

The DERMS modular approach provides utilities with flexibility that encourages grid operators to select what they need as they need it. Since each modular element can operate independently, this method makes it easy to scale up from pilot to full program and to integrate a wide range of device partners selected by the utility. We provide a turn-key pilot program of our solution that makes it possible to easily balance/switch/schedule when to use a particular DER with legacy fuels based on pricing and availability to meet the growing needs of EVs.

Why DERMS?

• Capital savings and/or deferred capital expenditures
• Savings from introduced operational efficiencies
• Improved grid reliability
• Address evolving supply gaps (nuclear plant reductions, coal plant shutdowns, solar and wind intermittency) with reliable DR
• Reduction in environmental emissions to satisfy more stringent EPA and CO2 rules and regulations
• Enhanced collaborative customer relationships

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This past December, His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, presented us with the Award for Best Engineering Consultant of the Year at the RTA’s annual Best Supplier and Investor Awards ceremony.

Pierre Santoni, President MEA, and Suad Mousa Khawaja, Sr. Vice President – Dubai, Bahrain, Kuwait attended to accept the Award on our behalf.

To be recognized by one of our key clients in this way is a testament to our team’s dedication to Parsons’ core values. We put quality, integrity, and innovation at the heart of every project we work on and when we are awarded in this way it demonstrates that we’re successfully implementing these values.” said Pierre.

We have worked with the RTA for almost 27 years on roughly 120 projects including major road corridors such as Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Sheikh Zayed Road, and most recently Dubai Water Canal and Shindagha Corridor. Our team has also worked on the RTA’s Intelligent Traffic System as well as major rail projects such as Dubai Metro and Route 2020.

“There were 10 award categories and to be nominated alongside some of the industry’s largest players was in itself an achievement,” says Suad, “to then go on and win the award for Best Engineering Consultant was an honor” she continued.

Al Tayer added, “this felicitation is a manifestation of our commitment to enhancing our cooperation with private partners whom we view as supporters of RTA efforts in delivering various projects. It is also a gesture of appreciation for the efforts of these entities that had delivered immense projects that contributed to achieving RTA’s aspirations.”

This is not the first time we have been recognized by the RTA for excellence in project delivery. In May of 2022, the Parsons-Systra Joint Venture (PSJV) team received the “Sustainable Transport Best Consultant” award for the Dubai Metro Route 2020 extension project which you can read about here.

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