IEEE R1R2 Young Professionals Unplugged - Episode 1
Join us for our first episode of IEEE R1R2 Young Professionals Unplugged.
At this event, we will host Alexander Impastato. He is a Signal Field Engineer for L.K Comstock, a contractor associated with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority of New York City.
- 1:00PM - Opening Monologue: Welcome to the IEEE Cleveland Section with Cleveland YP Chair Colin Russell
- 1:15PM - Our Guest: Alexander Impastato
- Topic: Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC) Decoded – Advancing Rail Through Transparency and Technology
- 2:15PM - Q&A
About the IEEE Cleveland Section
Please visit ieeecleveland.org to learn more about the Cleveland Section. IEEE Cleveland Section is a proud recipient of the Greater Cleveland Partnership Best of Tech 2025 Award!
Date and Time
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Hosts
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- Washkewicz Hall
- Cleveland State University
- Cleveland, Ohio
- United States 44114
- Room Number: 405
- Starts 23 June 2026 08:30 PM UTC
- Ends 11 July 2026 04:00 AM UTC
- Admission fee ?
Speakers
Alexander Impastato of L.K. Comstock
Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC) Decoded – Advancing Rail Through Transparency and Technology
Biography:
Alexander Impastato is a Signal Design Engineer at L.K Comstock with hands-on experience in railway signaling, CBTC, and transit modernization. His work includes safety-critical signal design, SSI interlocking logic, Programmable Logical Controller Indication Logic, control-line analysis, circuit detailing, route locking, and CBTC architecture. He has supported in-service testing both wayside on the tracks and inside control towers and relay rooms, helping verify signal behavior, field equipment operation, and system performance under live railroad conditions. Alexander has also developed technical research and presentations on moving-block operation, fail-safe design, wireless train communications, automation, and future rail technologies, with a focus on making complex signaling concepts clear and practical.
Address:New York City, New York, United States, 10036
Colin Russell
Host
Biography:
Colin Russell is a Computer Engineer from Youngstown, Ohio now based in Cleveland. He is the chair of the Young Professionals Affinity Group within the IEEE Cleveland Section. Additionally, he is the Vice Chair of Events for IEEE Regions 1 and 2 Young Professionals. Colin is a Senior Software Engineer at Nationwide where he specializes in creating APIs and microservices for the financial services industry. Colin is a graduate of Ohio University, where he was an ambassador for the Russ College of Engineering and Technology's Electrical Engineering program and chair of the university's student section of IEEE. While chair of the Ohio University IEEE branch, Colin organized presentations featuring guest speakers from prestigious organizations including NASA, Boeing, the Department of Energy, and Ohio University's own professors. In addition to leading the Ohio University IEEE section, Colin worked with the student ExCom to revitalize the university's Eta Kappa Nu section. To further his education, Colin is currently pursing a Master's of Science in Computer Science from Tufts University.