Page 12 - ASME JRC 2019 Program

Plenary Session

PLENARY SPEAKER
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10
12:30PM–1:15PM
PRIMROSE, LOBBY LEVEL

Michael Messner,
Assistant Director System Program
BNSF Railway
Saddle River, NJ

Abstract: BNSF is using big data and sensors to enhance Biography: Michael Messner is a 2000 Graduate from the
the quality of its track inspection and capital planning United States Military Academy at West Point where he
processes. Better track inspections and capital studied Spanish, German, and a field of study in mechanical
replacements reduce risk for our train crews, the passengers engineering. He is also a 2020 PMBA Candidate at Texas
and freight that travel across our tracks, and the Christian University. Michael served as a Field Artillery
communities we go through. It also ensures that we are Officer in the United States Army from 2000 to 2005 in the
efficiently maintaining and replacing our track based on United States, Germany, and Iraq.
condition rather than by elapsed time or gross tonnage.
From a track inspection and data gathering sense, we He started in engineering at BNSF Railway in 2007 as an
employ track geometry, laser rail profiling, optical track Assistant Roadmaster and Roadmaster in the Texas Division
inspection technologies, ground penetrating radar, vehicle and progressed into roles in reliability engineering, capital
track interaction, and ultrasonic rail testing. Using this full planning, and capital plan execution before starting his
suite of inspection technologies, we have a goal of reducing current role. Michael works with teams of data scientists, GIS
repetitive manual hy-rail inspections and increasing more developers, and railroad engineering professionals to
focused inspections on our known trouble spots. leverage data analytics to make safer and more efficient
railroad decisions across the spectrum of operating
In turn, we use these same technologies to capture maintenance, capital repair, and capital replacement
condition of our rail, tie, ballast, and turnouts to direct the projects. He leads change management efforts across the
best capital plan possible. BNSF is creating phone apps to engineering organization when the team develops new tools
gather more detailed information to create the most and methods.
comprehensive replacement or repair plan possible.

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