Date: |
01 Apr 2026, 5.30PM – 7.30PM |
duration: |
2 hrs |
Venue: |
Engineering New Zealand |
Address: |
Level 6/40 Taranaki Street Wellington |
Cost: |
Free event |
Vinoth Rajamani “Connecting the Dots: My Journey Toward Becoming a Well Rounded Signalling Engineer”
Vinoth will open the session with a reflective presentation on his development as a well rounded signalling engineer, highlighting the value of full lifecycle exposure in rail projects. Vinoth explores how full lifecycle involvement supports the development of a well rounded signalling engineer. Drawing on his early experiences with strong mentorship and structured training, he reflects on how limited engagement in isolated project components initially restricted his broader systems understanding. His transition to KiwiRail enabled end to end participation across requirements development, design, procurement, installation, testing, commissioning, and maintenance support, deepening his systems thinking and collaboration capabilities. The session highlights how this integrated exposure strengthens professional maturity, technical depth, and holistic capability development for signalling engineers.
Bogdan Godziejewski – “Successes and Challenges in the Implementation of ETCS in Europe”
As the main presenter, Bogdan Godziejewski will provide a strategic, high level analysis of ETCS deployment across Europe, drawing on more than 40 years of international signalling and train control experience. Bogdan Godziejewski examines more than three decades of ETCS development, beginning with his involvement in drafting the first technical specifications in 1992. While early adopters such as Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Belgium have achieved full ETCS only operation, many European countries still face challenges. His analysis covers differing national starting points, strategic priorities, migration complexities, operational rule changes, financial stability, and organisational mindset. He highlights the need for ETCS to be approached as a long term, continuous improvement process amidst broader digital transformation. The presentation concludes with targeted questions to spark discussion on the future of signalling and train control.
Presenter Bios:
Vinoth Rajamani — Principal Signals Engineer, KiwiRail
Vinoth is a Principal Signals Engineer at KiwiRail with more than 15 years of international signalling experience, including six years working across New Zealand’s rail network. His expertise covers engineering management of signalling design and maintenance, where he serves as a technical leader and strategic adviser on complex rail projects. Vinoth is an active IRSE member and holds the IRSE Advanced Diploma in Railway Control Engineering.
Bogdan Godziejewski — President, Institution of Railway Signal Engineering (IRSE)
Bogdan Godziejewski is an internationally recognised signalling and train control expert with over 40 years of experience across Europe, North America, and Australia. His work spans strategic advisory, engineering, planning, innovation, and oversight of ETCS and CBTC development. He has advised national authorities, major transit organisations, and the European Commission on signalling strategies, safety, interoperability, migration, and operational concepts. Since April 2025, he has served as President of the IRSE.
The Railway Technical Society of Australasia – New Zealand Chapter, in collaboration with Institution of Railway Signal Engineers (IRSE), invites you to their upcoming April event featuring a presentation by Vinoth Rajamani on his engineering journey, followed by President Bogdan Godziejewski’s insights into Europe’s ETCS challenges.
Vinoth Rajamani “Connecting the Dots: My Journey Toward Becoming a Well Rounded Signalling Engineer”
Vinoth will open the session with a reflective presentation on his development as a well rounded signalling engineer, highlighting the value of full lifecycle exposure in rail projects. Vinoth explores how full lifecycle involvement supports the development of a well rounded signalling engineer. Drawing on his early experiences with strong mentorship and structured training, he reflects on how limited engagement in isolated project components initially restricted his broader systems understanding. His transition to KiwiRail enabled end to end participation across requirements development, design, procurement, installation, testing, commissioning, and maintenance support, deepening his systems thinking and collaboration capabilities. The session highlights how this integrated exposure strengthens professional maturity, technical depth, and holistic capability development for signalling engineers.
Bogdan Godziejewski – “Successes and Challenges in the Implementation of ETCS in Europe”
As the main presenter, Bogdan Godziejewski will provide a strategic, high level analysis of ETCS deployment across Europe, drawing on more than 40 years of international signalling and train control experience. Bogdan Godziejewski examines more than three decades of ETCS development, beginning with his involvement in drafting the first technical specifications in 1992. While early adopters such as Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Belgium have achieved full ETCS only operation, many European countries still face challenges. His analysis covers differing national starting points, strategic priorities, migration complexities, operational rule changes, financial stability, and organisational mindset. He highlights the need for ETCS to be approached as a long term, continuous improvement process amidst broader digital transformation. The presentation concludes with targeted questions to spark discussion on the future of signalling and train control.
Presenter Bios:
Vinoth Rajamani — Principal Signals Engineer, KiwiRail
Vinoth is a Principal Signals Engineer at KiwiRail with more than 15 years of international signalling experience, including six years working across New Zealand’s rail network. His expertise covers engineering management of signalling design and maintenance, where he serves as a technical leader and strategic adviser on complex rail projects. Vinoth is an active IRSE member and holds the IRSE Advanced Diploma in Railway Control Engineering.
Bogdan Godziejewski — President, Institution of Railway Signal Engineering (IRSE)
Bogdan Godziejewski is an internationally recognised signalling and train control expert with over 40 years of experience across Europe, North America, and Australia. His work spans strategic advisory, engineering, planning, innovation, and oversight of ETCS and CBTC development. He has advised national authorities, major transit organisations, and the European Commission on signalling strategies, safety, interoperability, migration, and operational concepts. Since April 2025, he has served as President of the IRSE.
