bnr-wsp-changemakers-schwarz-angela
  1. We are WSP
  2. Insights
  3. The Systems and Signals Changemaker

The Systems and Signals Changemaker

One of Railway Track and Structure magazine’s 2024 Women in Railroad Engineering, Angela Schwarz never backs down from a challenge — a characteristic that powers her work bringing greater reliability, safety and efficiency to the nation’s busiest transit and passenger rail systems.

 
map marker United States | Tuesday, September 10, 2024
Reading Time : 2:55 minutes

Transit and rail agencies seeking to modernize their operations to meet 21st century demands have a powerful ally in Angela Schwarz, senior vice president, transit and rail engineering, at WSP. Her commitment to staying ahead of the latest systems and signals advancements brings value to her clients and mobility improvements to transit riders nationwide. Get to know her better in this Q&A.

What’s changing in rail and transit that is putting a significant focus on systems and signals right now?

Much of the rail infrastructure is old, and in major cities like New York, Atlanta and Washington, D.C., the quest to provide customer service excellence requires upgrades or replacement of aging assets. Our clients seek answers to questions such as, "How can we improve maintainability, reliability and availability of the system, minimize track outage and reduce implementation and operational costs? "How can we use the 'big data' available to improve operations, maintenance and the passenger experience?" Future-ready, simplified systems architecture and cost-effective technical solutions are key to these questions. Efforts to modernize transit and rail networks require an upgrade of systems and signals.

 

What attracted you to systems and signal work for rail and transit clients?

I was always attracted to technology and all things digital. Growing up in Brazil, I had a choice between pursuing general education or a craft, and, knowing I had to pay for my college, I chose to train as an electrical technician. My internship was with a company that built computers, and from there it was an easy jump to electrical engineering. After college, I joined one of the largest global rail solution suppliers, and the opportunity arrived to move to New York and work on an Automatic Train Supervision project for MTA; I didn't hesitate and I haven't looked back.

 

What inspires you about your work?

Being a partner to our clients. This industry constantly changes, and new advances and innovations happen continually. To bring value to our clients, I need to learn every day, which has always motivated me. I am also involved with mission-critical, behind-the-scenes technology, such as centralized control centers that serve as the control hub for managing and overseeing train operations. You cannot see it, but the effects are noticeable whenever your train is on time. There's nothing more inspiring than transforming clients' visions into reality.

 

prt-wsp-schwarz-angela
Angela Schwarz
National Transit and Rail Market Leader
United States
Contact
Meet Our Changemakers

Related themes and tags

There's nothing more inspiring than transforming clients' visions into reality.

What’s the biggest challenge in your field you’re working to resolve right now?

Systems integration. Transportation projects are becoming increasingly more complex, and rail systems and assets are now dispersed, interconnected and remotely controlled so that the infrastructure represents a complex network of systems. Integrating new and old assets requires understanding what already exists. Systems integration is not an academic exercise, and it should not be an afterthought. All the interfaces and elements of an existing system must be considered before a new, fully functional upgrade can be designed, let alone delivered.

 

Rail transit digitalization

Transit’s quest to deliver operations and service excellence requires technology upgrades, system integration and/or replacement of aging assets.

 

Control command and signalling CCS solutions

All elements of an existing system must be considered before new upgrades can be designed.

 

What is the most impactful project you’ve been a part of?

There are many, but one that stands out is New Jersey Transit Positive Train Control (PTC). I was part of a team that helped it get organized and achieve the Federal Railroad Administration's deadline all during COVID-19. It was a challenge project, in a challenge environment but a come-from-behind successful story that modernized and made safer one of the country's busiest transit systems.

 

Why do you enjoy working at WSP?

I strive to be a trusted partner and bring innovations to our clients through collaboration with colleagues around the globe. Being part of a WSP global network is priceless because it allows me to innovate every day.

I strive to be a trusted partner and bring innovations to our clients through collaboration with colleagues around the globe. Being part of a WSP global network is priceless because it allows me to innovate every day.

Related Publications

thn-wsp-changemakers-magalhaes-leys-carine

January 2025 | 3:23 minutes

The Post-Tensioning Changemaker

United States
svg-icon Blog
Changemakers
thn-wsp-changemakers-dominguez-andrina

November 2024 | 3:43 minutes

The Transit Sustainability Changemaker

United States
svg-icon Blog
Changemakers
thn-wsp-changemakers-da-silva-chris

November 2024 | 3:00 minutes

The Tolling and Traffic IT Changemaker

United States
svg-icon Blog
Changemakers
thn-wsp-changemakers-carney-jenny

November 2024 | 4:04 minutes

The Sustainability Implementation Changemaker

United States
svg-icon Blog
Changemakers
thn-wsp-changemakers-chavarria-angel

November 2024 | 4:46 minutes

The Transit Alternative Delivery Changemaker

United States
svg-icon Blog
Changemakers
thn-wsp-changemakers-coreth-ariel

November 2024 | 4:35 minutes

The Energy Security Changemaker

United States
svg-icon Blog
Changemakers
thn-wsp-changemakers-cooke-jasper

October 2024 | 5:23 minutes

The Equitable Emergency Management Changemaker

United States
svg-icon Blog
Changemakers
thn-wsp-changemakers-mcfarling-doug

October 2024 | 5:47 minutes

The Resilient Environments Changemaker

United States
svg-icon Blog
Changemakers
thn-wsp-changemakers-shell-brian

September 2024 | 4:15 minutes

The Water Alternative Delivery Changemaker

United States
svg-icon Blog
Changemakers
thn-wsp-changemakers-black-joseph

September 2024 | 4:04 minutes

The Corridor ID Changemaker

United States
svg-icon Blog
Changemakers
thn-wsp-changemakers-reece-debby

September 2024 | 3:45 minutes

The Water Resilience Changemaker

United States
svg-icon Blog
Changemakers
thn-wsp-changemakers-pappas-spiro

August 2024 | 2:00 minutes

The Climate Resilience Changemaker

United States
svg-icon Blog
Changemakers