Peer Review

The California High Speed Rail project is required to be reviewed by an Independent Peer Review Committee as part of Prop 1A. This is an important safeguard in the bond measure.

The Committee’s review of the California High Speed Rail Authority’s “Funding Plan” on January 3, 2012 can be viewed here.  This was issued  in accordance with state law 60 days after the submittal of a funding plan for initial construction. The funding plan can be viewed here.

The Committee’s third report, addressed to State Senator Alan Lowenthal (in response to the May 2011 LAO report) on July 1, 2011, can be viewed here.

The Committee’s second report, addressed to Mr. van Ark on May 2, 2011, can be viewed here.

The Committee’s first report, issued on November 18, 2010, can be viewed here.

For more about the Independent Peer Review Committee, click here.

In addition to the Independent Peer Review Committee, the Authority has been signing Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with various entities in the hope of exchanging information about high speed train systems around the world. Specifically, the Authority intends to “share and exchange information relative to high speed rail, including aspects of technology, standards, funding, planning as well as operations and maintenance, amongst other things.”

In the fall of 2010, the Authority asked  Amtrak and various foreign operators  to participate in a peer review that “would entail reviewing and commenting on documentation supplied by the Authority, with the aim to ensure that the operation and maintenance concepts as envisioned by the Authority are logical and feasible and would not result in limitations to the operations if you should possibly operate the system on behalf of the Authority at a later date.”

Correspondence relating to Operations and Maintenance Peer Review

California High Speed Rail Operations and Maintenance Peer Review Introductory Materials (October 2010)

Amtrak

Request for Information

 

Belgium

Response to Authority

Response from Belgium

China

Request for information

Response from China

France

Request for information

Expression of interest from Consul General

Response from French Transportation Department

Germany

Request for information

Italy

Request for information

Expression of interest from Consul General

Japan

Response from the East Japan Railway Company

Response from JRTT

Spain

Request for information

Expression of Interest from RENFE

Response from RENFE

Korea

Request for information

Expression of Interest from Consul General

Response from Korean Consul General