Résumé

John Ferraro CV
Systems & Engineering
Technical Director

Expertise - General
John Ferraro is a Professional Engineer with over thirty years of experience
gained within the engineering, project delivery, and construction industry
delivering rail projects for the public and mining sector in Australia and
internationally. He has been a lead consultant providing key advice to multiple
clients in medium and larger passenger and heavy haul fright projects.
His experience covers bankable feasibility studies, detailed engineering, lead
engineering, engineering management, commissioning, rail operations planning
and simulation studies, systems integration, verification, value engineering etc.
John has very strong technical writing skills, with broad capability and in-depth
experience in developing technical specifications, scope of work documents,
Qualification complex technical reports, maintenance schedules, operations and maintenance
Bachelor of Science Curtin plans, safety and risk reports, tender and contract documentation etc.
University, 1980 Other key experience includes bidding and bid management, tender, contract
Post Graduate Diploma in management and general overall business management including formulating
Applied Physics. Curtin and guiding in shaping strategic direction and had key involvement in business
University, 1979 – 1982 development
John’s career includes roles such as Lead and Principal engineer, Engineering and
Other Courses Design Manager, Package Manager, Commissioning Manager and Technical
Director. Worked for client organisations, consulting engineers, and design and
Project management(WAPMA)
construction contractors.
Visual Basic, Unix John has many skills in the technical management and in many instances detailed
Risk Management engineering. The skills cover a wide range of disciplines and activities

Contract Establishment  Rail Business Consulting and  Rail maintenance systems

Systematic Investigation Management
 Signals and Communications
 Project financing management
 Electrification
Affiliation  Rail operation simulation studies
 Access and Regulation
Eligible for Membership of  Bankable Feasibility Studies
 Locomotives
Corporate Member IEA  Project Management Consultant
 Rolling Stock Engineering
IRSE  Rail Infrastructure – Track and
 Rail Asset Management
Civil. Rail systems
Contact Details  Operations and maintenance
 Rail alignment engineering
support
Mobile +61 400 027 410  Hydrology studies
 Systems and performance
E-mail jfe30378@bigpond.net.au  Geotechnical auditing and Compliance checking
References  Systems integration  Procurement
References are available upon  Engineering and safety assurance
request.  Configuration and requirements
management
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 John Ferraro CV

ACHIEVEMENTS
Recent John’s career development has recently been in
Achievements Reliance Rail International – September 2017 to Present (Full Time)
Reliance Rail International – September 2014 to Sept 2017 (Continuing Part Time)
John is the Technical Director of Reliance Rail International and is part of the senior management team. He is
primarily responsible for various feasibility studies, bid management, engineering and assisting the company in
the overall strategic development. John leads the preparation of many bids and proposals for potential clients in
Central Africa, Middle East and USA and South America.
John has developed the Company web profiles, systems and process such as Project, Engineering, Financial,
Quality Management Systems Management Systems.
John was a key member in establishing agreements with global Original Equipment Manufacturers including CSR
Yangtze, CRRC, Progress Rail Etc.
John has been playing a major role in providing specialist technical and financial advice to a range of clients.
 Light Rail Transit – METRO Houston, Texas – Provided technical advice on a range of rail systems, safety
assurance and RAM specifications, axle counters fault analysis;
 Honolulu Rail Transit Project, or Honolulu High-Capacity Transit Corridor Project, is to provide high-capacity rapid
transit in the highly congested transportation corridor situated between Kapolei and UH Manoa and Waikiki.
Developed a detailed proposal and technical advice of contractor performance and technical issues.
 City of Sharjah – Provided a strategic plan and proposal of the development of a metro rail system.
 Nigerian Rail Corporation - developed and provided technical proposals for the ongoing development of the rail
systems and outsourcing maintenance and operations.
 General Electric (Nigeria Rail Concession).
Some of recent and key rail projects that John had a key involvement included;
 Light Rail Transit – METRO Houston, Texas - Reliance Rail provided Engineering support services to modify,
upgrade, or improve the newly constructed rail network. The key tasks included;
o Improvement in Track structure.
o Improvement in Signalling and train control system. Train tracking and detection system, Highway-Rail grade
crossing warning system, Interlocking control system, Switch control and protection system, Automatic
vehicle location system, Interface with traffic control system, High load and high water detection system,
Commissioning and testing documents preparation etc. One main area of major concern was the lack of
reliability and malfunctioning of the Axle Counters, Improvement in LRT Communication System
o LRT Traction Electrification System Traction power supply system, Traction power distribution system DC
traction power supply system Overhead catenary system,
o LRT Miscellaneous System Electrolysis and Corrosion control system, Vehicle Engineering, commissioning
documentation
 Ecuador Light Rail – Supply and commission used light rail vehicles
 Company Acquisition – Provide technical and financial support regarding the acquisition of a company involved
in the refurbish and sale of used rail plant, equipment and materials.
 Develop marketing strategy to introduce Chinese manufactured rail vehicles and components into America
markets

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 John Ferraro CV

SMEC April 2017 to Sept 2017

John was initially involved in bid preparation in an Alliance arrangement. Infrastructure Design Manager for the
Ballarat Line Upgrade Project, john is responsible for all infrastructure design including bridges, rail alignment.
Rail stations, drainage, hydrology, geotechnical etc.
Alstom Transportation April 2015 to March 2017
John is the Design Manager for the Sydney Light Rail Project. In this position John has key responsibilities includes
the establishment of the design facilities and management of the design for the various electrical systems
including traction power, OHW, Signalling, Communications, Rolling stock, depot systems and equipment etc.
John was responsible for the implementation of ProjectWise, a collaborative design system and approach for the
design integration of civil, structural and electrical systems designs. This has resulted in the integration of many
design offices that are located throughout the world working in a dynamic manner.
Principle Rail Engineer - Consultant December 2013 to September 2014
Engagement in providing key expert advice to several clients in rail systems engineering such as;
 Development of operations, maintenance standards and maintenance work procedures for Roy Hill
 Civil design and construction for Signalling and Communication site facilities and structures;
 Provided technical and commercial advice to Ansaldo on a range of contractual issues;
 Key involvement in bidding. Clients Ansaldo and others.
Worley Parson Roy Hill Iron Ore Project) March 2010 to Nov 2013
John Key Responsibilities includes;
Principal Engineer S&C
 Principle architect for the S & C systems (Signalling, On-board, Train Management Systems, Asset Protection,
Fibre Optic Cable and SDH and Gigabit Ethernet transmission, integrated voice and data wireless systems (TETRA
and WI-MAX), access control and CCTV Etc.). Enhanced and integrated asset protection with the signalling and
train management system;
 Bankable feasibility study;
 Principal concept design and FEED for all S & C packages (15% design);
 Tender documentation and tender process;
 Engineering and project management;
 Overall system integration and coordination with related systems such as corporate IMS, train load-out;
 On-board integration with the locomotive control system utilising digital I/O for the ATP and serial data
integration with the ECPB for train consist configuration and validation;
 The safe working systems technologies and systems comprised of the following;
 A modern communications-based signalling system with virtual balise but to SIL 4 rating;
 Voice based train order, Integrated electronic train order, CBS/ATP;
 Development of Automatic Train Operation concept design and specifications (Driver Assist, Supervised ATO and
Driverless ATO). System specifications and system design is planned for a seamless migration to driverless trains;
 Remote locomotive control;
 Remote train control during trail load-out (tower control). Fully integrated with the mine train loading control
system.

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Engineering Manager Rail

 Development of Rail Basis of Design(BoD),
 Rail operation capacity modelling, rail operation plans, rail systems and components specifications;
 Engineering and design of the rail infrastructure (rail alignment, rail formation, track structure, bridge structures,
drainage, roads, level crossings, hydrology, geotechnical etc.).
 Interface coordination management;
 Procurement and engineering of rail materials such as rail sleepers, rail steel and turnouts, locomotives and
rolling stock (Ore cars, ballast cars, flat tops and fuel tanks)
 Responsible for the procurement (tender preparation & contract negotiation) for the locomotives, rolling stock
(Ore cars, ballast cars, flat tops and fuel tanks), rail materials and the rail EPC including tender documentation for
the port landside. Engineering management for the locomotives and rolling stock. Saw the development of
43TAL bogie for the ore cars;
 Responsible for project wide engineering management plan and commissioning strategy;
 Lead the team in continuous improvements which included identification and technical evaluation of major
value engineering initiatives which results in major cost optimisation and improvements. Value engineering and
cost optimisation resulted in cost reductions more than $300M. An example is the reduction of the rail
formation width whilst complying with the OHS working in heights.
Lead Engineer Approving Authority
Responsible for the review and approvals of technical design reports, specifications, engineering, designs
construction and installations, Factory Acceptance Testing, Test and Commissioning plans, ITP,s, Safety Case,
RAMS development, site testing and commission for Roy Hill S&C works, Port and mine control systems, Access
control and CCTV, locomotives and rolling stock engineering and designs.
Worley Parson OPR Iron Ore Projects) August 2010 to September 2011.
Principal Engineer for Signalling, Telecommunications and Control Systems. First stage of the project is to perform
a Basis of design and Bankable feasibility study. The work involves the preparation of designs for Signalling,
Telecommunications and Control Systems to enable the development of BFS to + or -10% accuracy.
The systems specifications and architecture are like Roy Hill. In this project the planned railway alignment is close
to the sensitive astronomical telescope located in the mid-west of Western Australia. The communications work
required interference free to the Square Kilometre Array telescope system which required a thorough
investigation and analysis. A GSM-R based wireless communications systems which required close liaison and
approval by CSIRO. Extensive radio coverage and interference design reports were produced on this subject.
Worley Parson March 2010 to September 2013.
Worley Parson S & C Manager responsible for;
 Business development;
 Bidding;
 Delivery of several projects for various clients including API, African Minerals, FMG
Leighton
McMahon Leighton Joint Venture (RGP5 project) January 2009 to present
The RGP5 project involves rail duplication and the construction of a Fibre Optic cable network covering a route
distance of about 450 Km for BHPBIO from Port Hedland to Newman and the spur to Yandi mine. Responsibilities

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included the development of detailed design, procurement, planning mobilisation, construction, and reporting,
testing and commissioning and final documentation.
Provided an active role in contract administration and commercial management. Also, heavily involved in
interface coordination with the track and civil works.
Worley Parsons (FMG Pilbara Iron Ore Project) April 2008 to December 2008.
Responsibilities included the FEED and procurement for FMG rail asset development for the rail expansion to add
new mines at Christmas Creek and Solomon mines for all S & C.
John Holland (Rail Link Joint Venture) September 2004 to March 2008. Electrical Systems Engineer
and Engineering Manager – Perth Metropolitan Mass Transit System
South West Metropolitan Rail project, doubling of Perth suburban passenger rail system from Perth to
Mandurah.
Initially John’s responsibilities included the engineering coordination and management for all the electrical
disciplines such as signalling, communications, 25KV traction power, HV feeder stations and Track Sectioning
cabins, overhead wiring system, general SCADA and traction SCADA, tunnel control systems, lighting, terminal
services Etc. In this project John lead the complete review and design of the Public Transport Authority Earthing
and Bonding guidelines that significantly altered the E&B standards and methods utilising sound engineering
modelling to deliver a safe electrified railway.
HV feeder stations and track sectioning switchgear involved the design and installation of protection equipment
(IED’s) and SCADA systems for the monitoring and controlling of the entire PTA traction power system.
John responsibilities extended to cover engineering management for track, civil, bridges, tunnel structures, roads,
overhead masts and various components, terminal services Etc.
The track components included the following designs and construction;
 Track slab inside tunnels, bridge structures;
 Ballast track based on the usual sub rail formation and sub ballast capping;
 Road base using the asphalt.
 John was a key person in the construction, and commissioning of the rail systems and covering other key
activities such as;
 Internal and external interface coordination for design, construction, testing and commissioning and with third
parties such as local government, power utilities, Main Roads department;
 Approvals;
 Customer design reviews;
 Project Controls – Monitoring and progress reporting including expenditure;
 Strong participation and assisting the commercial and legal group on commercial matters;
 Attending and reporting on project meetings (Engineering management, construction management,
commissioning management and interface management).
As part of commissioning John was responsible for the final documentation for all the rail systems including track
and civil, structures, rail maintenance deport, S&C;
Alstom Australia (Transport and Information Solutions) July 2003 to September 2004 Alstom
Australia. Telecommunications Manager
John Responsibilities included;
 Business development;

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 Consultation;
 Tendering and bidding;
 Engineering and design;
 Coordination;
 Construction;
 Installation and commissioning.
 Provide consultancy and developed a telecommunications strategic plan for BHP Worsley Alumina mine and
refinery.
WestNet Rail and Australian Railroad Group, 2000 -2003
As the manager communications systems John responsibilities included planning, feasibility and project
justifications, tender and contracting, engineering, construction, installation, commissioning, reporting,
Early maintenance support.
Achievements 1998 - 2000 Westrail
As the Control and Communications Systems Manager, John was in charge of Westrail's Electrical, Power and
overhead, Signalling, Control Systems and Communications. The key responsibilities in this position included
strategic planning, design, preparation of standards, specifications, finance management, projects
implementation, operations and maintenance.
During this period John was responsible to prepare Westrail S & C group to achieve Rail Safety accreditation
which involved the preparation of all necessary rail safety documentation. Including systems. The radical reform
of the Signalling maintenance system from a paper based system to a computerised and coded system was a key
development. John was also part of the national committee responsible to develop national standards on
Signalling and Communications and participated in the development of the AS 4292 Part 4
Notable achievements during this period was the development of a metropolitan signalling computer which
comprised of hardware and software product development and a computer-based voice Switching System for
train control radio and telephone
1979 to 1998 Westrail
During this period John held several positions within Westrail and soon after commencement were promoted to
Senior Communications Engineer. Responsibilities included;
 Overall responsibility for Westrail communications systems (freight and passenger);
 Feasibility studies and justifications;
 Engineering, construction and commissioning;
 Typical assets and technologies included wireless radio systems, microwave, cable transmission systems,
passenger information, access control and CCTV, SCADA.
 The period from 1990 to1996 was a time that Westrail electrified the entire Perth Urban rail systems and
consequently resulted in major technical standards review.
 Westrail developed a comprehensive telecommunications strategic plan for the organisation covering
maintenance, mobile radio, backbone systems and telephone systems.
 Western Australian Government Railways Commission Call Centre, Design and implementation of a call centre
for country passenger trains and busses.

Rail Safety Management

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Active member of an appointed committee responsible for the preparation of the Railway Safety Management Act
AS4292 Part 4, which is now used by all rail operators in Australia for rail safety management.
Signalling and Telecommunications standards
Committee member responsible to produce railway signalling and telecommunications standards and specification
for use by railways.
Northern Territory

 FreightLink, A review of the telecommunications requirements for the Alice Springs to Darwin rails link. The
project included a risk assessment for each option and a suitable design to meet the operation requirements for
the entire line.
Western Australia
 Western Australian Government Joint Agencies Mobile Radio Study, a study on the feasibility and benefits of
amalgamating the mobile radio services for some WA state Government trading agencies. The implementation
stages for the project consisted of a plan to establish the joint trunk mobile radio system, Specifications, Tender,
contract negotiation and contract administration during the design and construction period.
 Westrail, key person in developing project management plans and quality management system and procedures
using ISO 9000 for Westrail's Engineering Division covering all technical disciplines
 Transperth, Perth Urban Mass Transit System, worked in a team responsible for the development of a Voice
Switching System and sophisticated base station controller used for the integrated telephone and radio for the
train control centre.

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