The SmartRail USA Innovation Awards, a nationwide search for the best new products and projects, has announced its shortlist following an extensive judging process from a panel representing a cross-section of the North American rail industry. The awards have two categories focusing on products and projects.

Product Innovation of the Year identifies the best and most innovative products in the rail industry. Hardware or software, it can be a new product, an update of an existing solution, or an improved way of utilising current technology that will improve our industry. The focus can be large or small, but the product and the improvement it makes is the important factor.

Product of the Year Shortlist

  • Bombardier (YardSafe™ – Innovation in improving safety and effectiveness within rail yards)
  • Divvali LED (LED locomotive lamps)
  • Mooovit (Moovit app)
  • Radwin (FiberinMotion train-to-ground Solution)
  • One Bus Away (BusAway – tools for improving the usability of public transportation)

Project of the Year recognises new developments and ways of thinking in improving and increasing efficiency in rail project delivery and management. With a particular focus on projects that have helped deliver a safer, more reliable transit network, increased capacity, boosted ridership, or improved passenger experience. We welcome entrants from transit agencies as well as solutions providers.

Project of the Year Shortlist

  • AMTRAK (Next-generation wireless communications project)
  • LA Metro (Metro rail intelligence-based surveillance system)
  • UP Express (An integrated transit solution for Toronto)

Speaking on the announcement of the shortlist on of the judges, Jim Allison, manager of planning at the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority in California remarked: "It’s a testament to the industry that there were so many high-quality entrants across a wide variety of diversity of applications. It was not easy to pick the most transformational projects."

The winners of the awards will be announced on Thursday 23rd July, and in addition to receiving extensive media promotion across the SmartRail World community, will be presented with their awards on stage at the SmartRail USA Congress and Expo in Charlotte, North Carolina on 28-29th October.