California High-Speed Rail: Rail Systems Engineering Services Resources Support
Client: California High-Speed Rail Authority
Location: Sacramento, United States
Start date: 2024
Duration: Ongoing
Services provided: Asset Management Assessment, Asset Management Plan Development, Commercial & Operational Management, Option Appraisal, System Engineering & Integration, Technical Services, Policy Development & Advice, Auditing & Due Diligence, Assurance
California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) is responsible for planning, designing, building, and operating the first high-speed rail system in the USA. California High-Speed Rail (CHSR) will connect the mega-regions of the state, contribute to economic development and a cleaner environment, create jobs, and preserve agricultural and protected lands.
The Authority awarded Network Rail Consulting Inc (NRC) the Rail Systems Engineering Services (RSES) contract in December 2023. The team was mobilized in January 2024 and includes sub-contractors, Ricardo Rail and Egis supported by six Californian Small Business Enterprises.
NRC directly supports the Authority’s Rail and Operations Delivery Branch as its strategic partner, including Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) certification, rule of applicability, system safety and security, track, systems, and trainsets contracts commercial support.
In support of the Authority, NRC provides recommendations, advice, and deliverables as necessary for the successful implementation of strategic delivery approaches, contract oversight, technical requirements, and integration among various Authority contractors and consultants.
Our onsite consultants provide daily coordination with interfacing Class 1 railroads to plan and execute construction activities while ensuring uninterrupted operation of existing railway services.
By working closely and collaboratively with regional teams across Southern, Central, and Northern California, we have successfully identified, aligned, and delivered on stakeholder requirements. These include supporting Joint Powers Authorities (JPAs), as well as federal, state, county, city, and local interest groups impacted by the high-speed rail project.
As leaders of the program’s supply chain and contract delivery working groups, NRC partners with both U.S. and international supply chain stakeholders to align the Authority’s strategic objectives with the delivery capabilities of contractors.
NRC’s role is to provide rail systems engineering services is in its early stages. To date, NRC has completed the following outputs which have been well received by the client. These are:
- Quality Management Plan v1.0, Certification Process Implementation Audit Report, Certification Management Policy Review v1.0 and Rail System Integration Management Strategy;
- Safety Case Management Plan, Program Integration Management Strategy, Safety Case Road Map and Project Management Plan;
- The Rail Operations Program Management Plan: Outlines the approach to managing the on-time, on-budget, quality, and safety delivery of Rail Systems;
- The Engineering and Network Integration Management Policies and Plans: Describes the high-level processes, procedures, and organizational roles and responsibilities for Infrastructure Management;
- A draft Rail Operations Network Integration Plan will be submitted for review and approval, with updates required annually or as needed;
- The Certification and Infrastructure Management Policies and Plans: Defines high-level processes, procedures, and roles, and will be updated annually or as required;
- The Rail Operations and Maintenance Policy: Outlines the high-level approach and organizational roles; and
- The Rail Operations and Maintenance Plan: Details high-level plans, procedures, and roles for effective operation of the system.