The mission of the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) is to facilitate the development, advancement and curation of “technical and practical knowledge and recommended practices pertaining to the design, construction and maintenance of railway infrastructure,” according to the organization’s website.

Hanson is committed to furthering this mission, with 38 of our employee-owners as members and 14 serving on technical committees. Three, including myself, are in leadership roles. I am the chair of Subcommittee 3: University Course Curriculum of Committee 24: Education and Training, and in my 18 years of involvement with AREMA, I chaired Committee 24 and was a member of the Functional Group Board of Directors. Our other AREMA leaders are:

  • Terry Bodine, P.E., chair of Committee 1: Roadway and Ballast
  • Shawn Goetz, P.E., S.E., secretary of Committee 8: Concrete Structures and Foundations

Being active on technical committees is how Hanson contributes experience to the rail industry, and these leaders agree on the importance of our firm being active in AREMA. “Many engineers within the industry have taken geotechnical courses using the ‘Foundation Engineering’ book co-authored by Walter Hanson, our company founder,” Terry said. “Hanson is one of the most experienced companies to offer services needed by railroads.”

Hanson’s involvement in AREMA benefits our clients. “I’ve learned things at the AREMA conference or at committee meetings that I’ve been able to directly apply on projects,” Shawn said. “You really get to know people when you work with them, especially when you are all doing it voluntarily.”

Terry added, “The knowledge gained through relationships, services offered in our company, railroad experience and Manual for Railway Engineering development make us one of the premier consultants in the industry.”

I’ve made good friends in the industry through AREMA, and when we have the opportunity to work together on a project, there is familiarity and trust from the start. Through Hanson’s AREMA leadership, we share our expertise with the railroad industry and develop solid relationships with our clients.

Michael Pochop, P.E., is a vice president and senior project manager at Hanson. He can be reached at mpochop@hanson-inc.com.