Sam Buchanan Elected Vice Chair of AREMA Committee 37

FORT WORTH, TX—Benesch Project Manager Sam Buchanan, PE has been elected Vice Chair of the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association’s (AREMA) Committee 37 – Signal Systems. His election marks the next step in his involvement with the committee and gives him a greater role in supporting its work, engaging members and helping shape its future leadership.

Committee 37 focuses on improving the safety and reliability of train operations by reviewing current and emerging technologies and developing recommended industry practices for the design, installation, testing and maintenance of signal equipment and systems. Sam has been a full member of Committee 37 since December 2021 and served as acting Secretary beginning in October 2023.

During his three-year term as Vice Chair, Sam plans to support the Committee Chair and focus on increasing member participation in committee meetings and ballots, strengthening recruitment efforts and helping bring the next generation of rail signal professionals into the committee.

For Sam, taking on a leadership role within AREMA has been a long-term professional goal. “Entering AREMA leadership has been a goal of mine since entering the rail industry,” Sam said. “Being elected by the committee is meaningful because it represents recognition from my peers of my expertise in rail signaling and my contributions to the industry.”

Sam joined Benesch in 2020 and specializes in grade crossing engineering, with extensive experience in rail signaling and communications. His work includes signal design and review as well as railroad crossing signal plans and traffic signal preemption. His involvement with AREMA allows him to contribute directly to changes and updates to recommended industry practices while also learning from the experience of fellow committee members and continuing to grow professionally.