Industry Board Undergraduate Seminar Series

Scott Baird, Union switch and signal

Thursday, November 16, 2006, 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
SENSQ 5317

Abstract

Modern control systems are becoming more intelligent and more integrated with business information systems. These factors enable a new generation of control systems which play an increasing role in overall business optimization. As an example, railroad control systems have evolved over the past 125 years, but the evolution is now happening at an unprecedented rate due to advances in software technology. One railroad executive cited that the impact of optimizing software on the railroad industry will be equivalent to the impact of the diesel engine in the 1940's. This talk will briefly cover some of the history of railroad control systems, then focus on today's optimizing software technology. We will also explore some opportunities for the next generation of railroad management systems.

Biography of Speaker

Scott Baird is the Director of Software Engineering in the Automation and Information Systems business unit at Union Switch and Signal (US&S). He is responsible for all US&S central office product line software development. Prior to joining US&S in 2001, Scott was co-founder of two start-up ventures, Skillometer and Zajtra. From 1985 through 1991, he worked at Formtek Inc., a Lockheed company where he was Director of Product Development. His first job was with Bell Laboratories in Holmdel, NJ. Scott is a 1981 graduate from the University of Pittsburgh (Electrical Engineering) and received a Masters Degree in 1982 from Carnegie Mellon University (Computer Engineering). He is a native Pittsburgher and graduated from Steel Valley High School.