Juliano Camargo, PMP

California High-Speed Railway Timeline: Part 1 Read Part 1 of GRR's history of the California High-Speed Railway project, where we chart its origins and key players.

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It’s been a year since Gov. Joe Lombardo vetoed Assembly Bill 456, which aimed to strengthen #railsafety in Nevada. With projects like Brightline West on the horizon, our state stands at a critical crossroads. In our latest piece for the Nevada Current, Matthew Parker and I discuss the urgent need for rail safety measures like train length limitations, improved defect detection, and clearing blocked crossings. These measures are not just regulatory tweaks; they are essential for preventing derailments and ensuring public safety. Investigative reports continue to highlight systemic failures in rail safety, and recent incidents in Nevada underscore these risks. It’s imperative that we prioritize public safety over corporate profits. Nevada has the opportunity to lead by example and set new rail safety standards. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gYx6faGW

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The people of Mexico City (la Ciudad de Mexico, or CDMX) are proud of the diverse cultures that, together, are the foundation of modern Mexico. And, perhaps, the array of transit that spans the vast city is a good representation of that heritage. To highlight a few that I was able to enjoy this past week: ▪ Metro – 12 urban rail lines include two traditional steel-wheel-on-steel-rail lined, but mostly fixed guideway with pneumatic tires in deference to the seismic activity and unstable soils of this city that has been built on landfill within the ancient lake Texcoco. The sloping and diverging planes of the plazas, roadways, and sidewalks in the city’s centro histórico are a constant reminder of the underlying geologic conditions. ▪ Metrobús – these red buses, some articulated and others double-decker, are ever-present in the city streets. This high-frequency bus rapid transit (BRT) network operates 8 routes with dedicated lanes and light-rail-style level boarding platforms. The frequency of service was impressive to see. Raised curbs keep other vehicles out of the Metrobús lanes, which are often counterflow to adjacent traffic. ▪ Trolebús – the Trolley Bus system, akin to the electrified buses operated in San Francisco, includes bright blue buses powered by overhead catenary. With traditional curbside boarding, the 10 Trolebús lines operate in dedicated lanes distinguished by painted markings and raised curbs near intersections. Transit signal priority enhances its efficiency through busy streets. ▪ Cablebús – these cable-propelled, 10-person gondolas are the most visually dramatic of the CDMX transit network. Among the newest addition to the CDMX network of integrated transit systems, 5 miles of Cablebús lines soar above the mosaic of colorful houses that sit atop extinct volcanoes north of the city. Our CDMX guide noted that commuters using the Cablebús have reduced commute times into the centro from up to 4 hours (there is a LOT of traffic in CDMX!) to 90 minutes. Complementing these systems are the Tren Ligero (light rail), Tren Surbano (suburban, or commuter rail), Mexibús (another BRT with suburban connections), and Red de Transporte de Pasajeros, RTP (traditional urban bus service). The impressive CDMX transit network is second only to New York among North American cities - and continues to grow. 

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The US High-Speed Rail Association tells me that the California High-Speed Rail Authority is one of the most challenging roles in the nation. What are traits of successful High-Speed Rail Authority CEO. I say, three things under the appreciation of "cup". C stands for Communicating Effectively. U stands for Understanding Poverty. P stands for pursuing opportunity. For C, join Toastmasters. For U understand that one of the goals is providing a "Windfall for All" including the impoverished. The project is all about opportunity to all across diverse socioeconomic backgrounds including the impoverished by connecting them to opportunity like never before. For P, passionately pursing opportunity, note that Brightline West just broke ground. They are focused on building Los Angeles to Las Vegas in four years. Take the opportunity to learn from them what it takes to expedite a High-Speed Rail System. Apply it to Merced to Bakersfield, so that this segment can be completely up and running by the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. www.ushsr.com #highspeedrail

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High-speed rail (HSR) is revolutionizing travel. Our research highlights passenger experience as crucial, with 66% of leaders predicting its growing importance. Read the latest HSR article, influenced by our global stations and TOD lead Kristopher Takacs, to explore these insights further. #AECOMtransit #transit

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"The US is experiencing a critical influx of capital into public transit... the industry is now racing to catch up. However, this urgency has led to inefficiencies and waste in the procurement of rolling stock and infrastructure development." — Gabriel J. Lopez-Bernal, President of Icomera North America In the US, many agencies have deferred asset renewal for decades, and now face significant gaps in current knowledge and experience for procuring new products and technologies. At the American Public Transportation Association Rail Conference, we sat down with Gabriel J. Lopez-Bernal, President of Icomera North America, to explore strategies for maximizing the impact of modern-day investments in rail. Read the interview here: https://lnkd.in/e4Eae4Hp #Rail #USA #APTA #Icomera #Investment

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Is High Speed Rail Finally Happening? The California High-Speed Rail project has been a topic of discussion and planning for decades. The first concept dates back to the late 1970s, with formal proposals starting in 1979 under Governor Jerry Brown. In 1982, a bill was signed to authorize $1.25 billion in bonds for a high-speed rail line between Los Angeles and San Diego, though it failed due to economic and environmental concerns. The project gained renewed momentum in 1996 with the establishment of the California High-Speed Rail Authority, and in 2008, voters approved $9.95 billion in bond funding to kickstart the project​. And then we waited... Recent optimism around the the project has been bolstered by several key developments. In 2023, the California High-Speed Rail Authority released updated business plans and project update reports that included revised budgets, schedules, and a focus on completing an initial operational segment (IOS) between Merced and Bakersfield. These updates have been coupled with new funding applications and contract awards for station design and construction​​. Foster + Partners and Arup have now publicized renderings for the stations along the IOS which signals progress in design and planning, possibly driven by the Authority's emphasis on creating a viable operational segment that can demonstrate the project's potential benefits. Additionally, federal support and the prioritization of certain construction phases have contributed to renewed optimism​​. We'd love to see it. It seems crazy to drive or fly between San Francisco and LA if there is a viable high speed rail alternative. The question is - are we there yet? https://loom.ly/L5EtgUg #transportation #rail #architecture #design

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