On 18 May 2026, a pivotal meeting hosted by ENSCO at the Transportation Technology Center (TTC) in Colorado brought together the region’s leaders for the 12th North America Region Assembly (NARA), marking a significant milestone in regional collaboration. The assembly also coincided with the TTC Battery Summit, in cooperation with U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), highlighting the critical intersection between electrification advancements, safety standards, and rail innovation.
During the assembly, the attendees unanimously endorsed the nomination of Ian Choudri, CEO of California HSR, as the new chair of the region. In his vision for the role, Choudri outlined a clear strategy focusing on aligning North American projects with UIC standards, as well as his hope to re-engage members in Mexico to create a unified regulatory environment that bridges European standards and US and Canadian regulations so that catch point technical challenges can be addressed. UIC Coordinator for the region, Lucie Anderton, then thanked Choudri for the exceptionally smooth transition when he became Acting Chair in December 2025, and announced the open call for candidates for a new Vice Chair for NARA.
Yuji Fukasawa, Chair of UIC and Chair of JR East, sent a message expressing his support despite his inability to attend in person. He first extended his warmest congratulations to the new Chair of the North American Assembly, adding that Choudri would have his full support as they sought endorsement from the General Assembly in July. He thanked him for taking on the responsibility and for representing the region within their global community, and said that he looked forward to working with him in the years ahead as he led this vital group.
He further emphasised the unique role of the region, noting, “The North American region has a distinctive profile and sets a benchmark for operational efficiency, technological innovation, and safety standards. Its scale and ambition make it a crucial environment for testing innovation and scaling international best practices. North America is therefore not only a participant, but a key driver of the industry’s evolution”. Fukasawa concluded by expressing his commitment to aligning regional initiatives, to ensure that the specific strengths of the North American region were fully leveraged, as well as to achieve UIC’s broader goals.
A central theme of the assembly was the discussion on international standards, which was established as the primary technical focus for the region. In relation to this, UIC Rail Systems Director, Adriano Scapati, presented a 1-year action plan, continuing on from the decision made at the 11th NARA last year. Participants emphasised the necessity of mapping and understanding the standards landscape in the region in relation to UIC International Railway Solutions (IRS) to facilitate project deployment.
The discussion highlighted a new initiative led by the International Rail Research Board to create Regional Competency Hubs. These hubs aim to bridge the gap between academic research and real-world railway operations, with a specific emphasis on integrating AI technologies and upskilling the workforce for the next decade.
The debate on talent and skills was a major highlight of the gathering, with debates regarding the critical importance of developing a specialised workforce capable of meeting the demands of next-generation rail technology taking central stage. Consensus was reached that this topic requires ongoing, dedicated discussion to ensure that the region possesses the necessary human capital to execute its ambitious plans.
The agenda also featured a comprehensive knowledge sharing session. Updates from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on recent research were presented, alongside critical lessons learned from Via Rail in Canada regarding new rolling stock performance in cold weather conditions. California HSR provided progress reports on their ongoing projects, while the Association of American Railroads (AAR) highlighted the work and facilities at the MXV research test centre.
The meeting closed with a strong commitment to international collaboration being voiced. As the industry looks toward NARA under the new leadership of Choudri, coordinated efforts between government bodies, researchers, and the private sector are essential to overcoming current challenges.
The gathering also confirmed a busy schedule for the coming years, with the next meeting set to take place in Chicago on 4 October. Subsequent meetings will be held at the APTA Transform Conference next spring in California, and in Canada in the autumn.
Following the formal proceedings, the attendees took part a technical visit to the TTC facility. This tour provided a firsthand look at the centre’s advanced training, testing capabilities, and infrastructure, reinforcing its role as a key hub for innovation in the rail sector.
