2016 California Passenger Rail Summit

2016 California Passenger Rail Summit

Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at 8:30 AM - to - Thursday, April 14, 2016 at 4:00 PM (PDT)

Report and Photography by Carl Morrison, Comments and Corrections welcomed at: Carl@TrainWeb.com

http://trainweb.org/carl/2016CaliforniaPassengerRailSummit/

All photos available for re-publication. Please keep the copyright on the photo and mention TrainWeb.com in the text next to the photo.

To request a high resolution photo, click the photo in this report once and copy the photo's number (such as: _MG_4708.JPG).
E-mail those numbers to Carl@TrainWeb.com.

After arriving in Los Angeles on an Amtrak Surfliner from nearby Fullerton, California, we jumped on a Red Cap electric cart and were taken to the front of the Union Station for a taxi to the Millennium Biltmore Hotel.

Metro Trains, one with a BNSF protector for the Cab Car and L.A. Metro Building

East side of the Biltmore Hotel, overlooking Pershing Square.

Only one block from the Biltmore is the Metro Station. We walked there and I refreshed myself on how to travel by subway in LA. I bought a TAP card and filled it with three 75 cent Senior rides to get back and forth to the Union Station for the summit.

We walked back west on 5th Street, past the Library, to Mendocino Farms to have a light supper. That gave us an excellent view of the Westin Bonaventure Hotel. Because it was on a hill, there were bridges on the second floor level of the buildings so we could cross streets above the traffic.

Westin Bonaventure Hotel

Mendocino Farms Cafe, 444 S. Flower St. Los Angeles

A slide show of all images in this report, plus additional photos not shown in the report is at:

http://www.trainweb.com/slideshow/carl/cprs16/

2016 California Passenger Rail Summit

Conference Purpose: To meet with leaders in the rail industry for discussions regarding the modernization and integration of passenger rail service in California. This modernization and integration effort is being held by the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) and the Federal Railroad Administration, working with transportation agencies throughout the state, to create an environment of investment in passenger rail infrastructure that has been unparalleled in recent years and will continue to grow.

Speakers will discuss funding, development, and strategic approaches to the growth of passenger rail in the state. Joining us at this event will be state and federal representatives, passenger rail agencies, and other leaders working together to shape the future of passenger rail.

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

9:00 AM - Registration and Networking

Los Angeles Union Station Historic Ticket Office, 800 N. Alameda Street, Los Angeles, California.

9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Both Days Equipment Displays - Los Angeles Union Station Track 15

Knowing the schedule was very tight throughout the two days, I decided to check out the equipment display both days before going to the conference area on the opposite end of the station.

• ATSF 3751 Steam Locomotive

• Amtrak Passenger Cars

Diner Lounge Kitchen downstairs

Diner Lounge Seating Upstairs

Amtrak Coach upstairs

Coast Starlight Business Class car downstairs.

• Amtrak Veterans Locomotive

• New Metrolink Commuter Cars

Many more photos of the displayed equipment in the accompanying slide show in this report. Look at the beginning for images 4431- 4471.

After photographing the excellent equipment display on track 15, I proceeded to the Los Angeles Union Station Historic Ticket Office where all the speakers, and lunch would take place.

Signs were well-placed for attendees arriving by rail.

Joyce Manning, Steve Grande, and Barbara Cepinko handled all the registration.

Sponsor signs were evident as well and were posted on the large video screen before and after speaker presentation.

Links to all Sponsors and Supporting Organizations are at the bottom of the page at: http://www.californiapassengerrailsummit.com/

Those who had display tables were awaiting attendees.

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Technical Tours: Groups Leaving From Registration Desk

    • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Regional Connector Transit Project (Limited to 15 people)
    • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Metro Rail Operations Center (Limited to 20 people)
    • 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Metro Rail Operations Center (Limited to 20 people)

Technical Tours

I took the Regional Connector Transit Project tour.

For our 10 a.m. tour Cheryl issued each of us a Metro Pass to go from Union Station to Little Tokyo to the Connector Offices.

Cheryl handed off out group to another escort who took us to the offices.

Our excellent introduction to the project included a lecture, and a power point with all slides in a printed packet.

After the orientation, we were issued safety helmets, vests, glasses, and gloves and we were on our walk to the site. The fellow coming out the door was our excellent leader.

Excavation was taking place behind the green fence. We walked past the Little Tokyo Station where the tracks had been moved to a shorter curve to allow for cut and cover preparation for the subway.

Cut and Cover underway. The far horizontal beam has been put in place with street replaced. Welding was taking place on the right. The welding generator (blue) at the center was later lifted out by the crane on the right (below).

Cut and Cover has been completed here. Many 100-year old water pipes had to be replaced.

The sand is being picked up and put into dirt-hauling trucks and taken to Irwindale's giant quarry.

The boganvilla is behind the truck full of dirt.

Grouting operation fills concrete diagonally under underground pipes to strengthen them. I thought it was interesting that the local ladies on the bench could still meet and talk beside the equipment because of the sound walls in the photo below.

We boarded a northbound Metro to return to Union Station for the first speakers of the conference.

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Grab and Go Lunch

    • Pick up lunch box at Los Angeles Union Station Historic Ticket Office.

Afternoon Panels

    • Los Angeles Union Station Historic Ticket Office, 800 N. Alameda Street, Los Angeles, California.

1:00 PM - Welcome by Co-Chairs of the 2016 California Passenger Rail Summit

Welcome

•

Don Sepulveda, Executive Officer, Regional Rail, Metro Los Angeles

•

Robert Manning, President, Southwest Rail Passenger Association

170 or more registered for the Summit

1:10 PM - California State Rail Plan

• Introduction by Ken Sislak, Manager of Transit/Rail Planning, AECOM

California State Rail Plan

• Chad Edison, Deputy Secretary for Transportation, California State Transportation Agency

1:40 PM - 2:50 PM Panel 1 - CEO Round table

    • Gary Gallegos, Executive Director, San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG)
    • Darrel Johnson, Chief Executive Officer, Orange County Transportation Agency (OCTA)
    • Jim Hartnett, General Manager, Caltrain
    • David Golonski, Chair, LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency (Moderator)

CEO Toundtable

Gary Gallegos, Executive Director, San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG)

Key points: California's greatest export partner is Mexico. Percentage of American components in Chinese imports is 2 to 3%. Mexican imports have 40% American components. They have had 'managed lanes' for auto-driven cars since 1986.

Jim Hartnett, General Manager, Caltrain

Key points: Managers need money for "state-of-good-repair" as well as new projects. 96 trains a day with vibrant ridership. 65,000 rides per weekday, SRO during peak times. 32 stations. Double-capacity by 2040 from mostly single track now. 380 million road miles per year taken off the highways. Going to electrification by 2020. Grants from Facebook and Google for studies.

Darrel Johnson, Chief Executive Officer, Orange County Transportation Agency (OCTA)

Key points: 2/3 of the population and jobs are within 4 miles of LOSSAN (Metrolink) OC to LA line. 1.7 million riders on the old San Diegans. 8 million riders in the corridor now. Rail Projects are not as connected to the public as much as convenience to them to ride, get ticket, leave their car and get on transit.

3:00 PM - 4:10 PM Panel 2 - Rail Integration and High-Speed Rail

    • Michael Schabas, Partner, FCP Rail Consultants of London
    • Dominik Bruhwiler, Deputy Director, Zurich Transport Authority
    • Gail Murray, Chair, Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA) (Moderator)

Rail Integration and High-Speed Rail

Gail Murray, Chair, Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA) (Moderator)

Dominik Bruhwiler, Deputy Director, Zurich Transport Authority

Key points: Zurich has the same number of cars as in 1990 and the number of rail commuters has tripled. 69% of workers and students use public transportation. 400 cars per 1,000 residents. Why so Successful: 1. Trains must be competitive, 2. High frequency tains, 3. Reliable and easy access, 4. Politicians are for public transportation and against roads. You still need buses and trains to run after midnight even if 1/2 empty, otherwise they take their cars so they can get home. Connections are at :00 or :30 leaving Hubs. HSR has an integrated ticket with other public transportation. 60 to 70% of the population own Rail Passes. One ticket for the whole trip is the National Law.

Michael Schabas, Partner, FCP Rail Consultants of London
michael.schabas@tcpworld.net

Key points: Electrification with all-day service makes success. Teams bid on running the rail lines. EMUs (Electric Multiple Units) for peak times, 4 cars every 15 minutes. HSR to London (Ontario) Best train to run, financially, is EMU at $.20 a mile. EMUs are quicker leaving and arriving. Until you do the numbers, you do not know the answer.

4:30 PM - 7 Welcome Reception

    • Los Angeles Union Station Historic Ticket Office, 800 N. Alameda Street, Los Angeles, California.

    • Keynote Address: Hon. Yvonne Brathwaite Burke, Amtrak Board of Directors
    • Introduction by: Phillip Washington, Chief Executive Officer, Metro
    • Reception includes Hors D'oeuvre s and beverages. Wine and cocktails available for purchase.

Welcome Reception

Introduction by Phillip Washington, Chief Executive Officer, Metro

Hon. Yvonne Brathwaite Burke and Robert Manning

Hon. Yvonne Brathwaite Burke and Gail Murray

Reception included hors d'oeuvre, beverages, wine and a buffet.

We returned to the Biltmore for a night's rest before Thursday's event-filled day.

Thursday, April 14, 2016

9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Both Days Equipment Displays - Los Angeles Union Station Track 15

    • ATSF 3751 Steam Locomotive
    • Amtrak Passenger Cars
    • Amtrak Veterans Locomotive
    • New Metrolink Commuter Cars

For equipment photos earlier in this report, click Here.

7:30 AM - Registration and Networking

    • Los Angeles Union Station Historic Ticket Office, 800 N. Alameda Street, Los Angeles, California.
    • Coffee and Pastries

Morning Panels

8:45 AM - Welcome to LA Metro

    • Don Sepulveda, Executive Officer, Regional Rail, Metro Los Angeles
    • Robert Manning, President, Southwest Rail Passenger Association
    • Co-Chairs of the 2016 California Passenger Rail Summit

9:00 AM - Opening Remarks

    • Michelle Boehm, Southern California Regional Director, California High-Speed Rail Authority
    • Introduction by Daniel Tempelis, Vice-President, Hatch Mott MacDonald

Michelle Boehm, Southern California Regional Director, California High-Speed Rail Authority

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM Panel 3 - Shared Corridors - Freight Round table

    • Lupe Valdez, Director, Public Affairs, Union Pacific Railroad
    • D.J. Mitchell, Manager, Passenger Services, BNSF Railway
    • Ulrich Leister, President and CEO, U.S. subsidiary of SMA
    • David Kutrosky, Managing Director, Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA) (Moderator)

Shared Corridors - Freight Round table

David Kutrosky, Managing Director, Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA)

D. J. Mitchell, Manager, Passenger Services, BNSF Railway

Key points: D. J. showed the video: DOOR. Rail leaders need to have the perspective of riders. There are 45-65 freights daily from LA to San Bernardino. Capacity is the problem. There are Z trains from Hobart Yard to Chicago. Dispatchers make a big difference if they are rookies or taking over for someone on vacation. The Plant must match the Plan. Maintenance plan should have no slow orders. Work 5 hrs. at night to keep the track in order. Conductor, engineer, maintenance-of-way, and dispatchers must all understand the Plan for it to work.

Ulrich Leister, President and CEO, U.S. subsidiary of SMA

Key points: There is a need for higher predictability. Need more: frequency, trips, reliability. 2 hours +/- is close enough for a freight to reach its destination. 2 minutes +/- is close enough for a passenger arrival. How much of the available capacity do you use? Z trains run @ 50 - 60 mph. "State of Good Operations" means to maintain as soon after an unexpected delay as possible. Freights run at night or during mid-day lags in commuter service. Two-level boarding for ADA saves time.

Lupe Valdez, Director, Public Affairs, Union Pacific Railroad WWW.UP.com

Key points: Lupe was the first woman in Public Affairs at Union Pacific, now there are 20 women. She credits Jim Young, SP CEO, who interviewed her, was personable and very much aware of what he wanted for the company. Goal: Capacity and Fluidity. UP protests their corridors for business reasons. Fuel efficiency depends on engineers, engine technology and aerodynamics. Passenger Rail Strategy: Quiet Zones. LA County is built out totally so 70% of her complaints are about horn blowing. If there is a newspaper story about her railroad, she gets more calls if the report is top of the fold or bottom of the fold on the front page.

10:30 AM - 10:50 AM BREAK

• Coffee, Pastries, and Water

During the break, I took a walk around the station and took some high dynamic range (HDR) photographs.

Historic front of Los Angeles Union Station

South courtyard and clock tower.

Water Company adjacent to the south patio of the LAUS

A colorful passenger in the south patio catches up on conversations.

Traxx Restaurant in the Grand Hall of the LAUS

Grand Hall of LAUS looking west to the historic entrance and our meeting at the ticket counter to the right before exiting.

10:50 AM - 11:50 AM Panel 4 - Travel and Tourism

    • Brian Wright, DMO and Executive Relation Liasion, Visit CA
    • Jennifer Walker, Vice President of Marketing and Strategy, Visit Santa Barbara
    • Susan Bruinzeel, Senior Director Planning and Research, San Diego Tourism Authority
    • Scott White, President & CEO, Greater Palm Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau (Moderator)

Travel and Tourism

Scott White, President & CEO, Greater Palm Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau
swhite@palmspringsoasis.com

Key points: China outspends Canadians in Palm Springs.

Brian Wright, DMO and Executive Relation liaison, Visit CA
bwright@visitcalifornia.com

Key points: Videos: "What is Visit California" "California Dram Big" "Kids Unplugged" In China - double-digit growth Several cities over 1 million residents Greatest complaints from overseas visitors: Hard to get around.

Susan Bruinzeel, Senior Director Planning and Research, San Diego Tourism Authority
sbruinzeel@sandiego.org

Key points: Clients are foreign travelers and military. San Diego gets 34 million visitors, 10 times the population. 80% of the visitors are from the US. Mexican day visitors are most of the other 20%. Two direct flights in: Tokyo and London. They have the busiest single runway in the US. Tijuana-Rodriguez Airport now has a bridge directly to San Diego. 800,000 visitors a year from trains. Mostly single track in SANDAG corridor. The Transportation Plan is not focused on tourism. October is Kids Free with specials at attractions and Amtrak. "Signs Campaign" Video "Cali-Baja Connection" video.

Jennifer Walker, Vice President of Marketing and Strategy, Visit Santa Barbara
Jennifer@SantaBarbaraCA.com

Key points: Tourism is the Economic Engine for Santa Barbara. 60% of visitors are 40 or older and affluent. 15% are from Canada, UK China is over Canada as air visitors to LAX October - March is a good time to visit Santa Barbara while others are skiing. More train visitors than air visitors. They still have Press Media Trips through Barbara, CA.com CarFree program has been in existence since 1998. I mentioned the VinoTrain monthly from LA to Santa Barbra.

11:50 AM - 12:30 PM Grab and Go Lunch

• Lunch at Los Angeles Union Station Historic Ticket Office.

View from behind the vintage ticket counter of last evening's banquet tables which were left in place for a nice setting for lunch today and for attendees to take notes and use their laptops.

Sheriff's Department was well represented.

Afternoon Panels

12:30 PM - 12:40 PM Introduction To Afternoon Sessions

12:40 PM - 1:50 PM Panel 5 - Mobility Hubs

    • Dave Schumacher, Principal Planner, San Diego Association of Governments (SCAG)
    • David Kriske, Assistant Community Development Director, Transportation Division, City of Burbank
    • Greg Taylor, Senior Architect, City of Sacramento
    • Jennifer Bergener, Managing Director, LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency (Moderator)

Mobility Hubs

Jennifer Bergener, Managing Director, LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency

Key points: Millenniels do not look forward to getting their driver's license at 16 like we did, they'd rather use Uber and Lyft.

Dave Schumacher, Principal Planner, San Diego Association of Governments (SCAG)

Key points: 1981 was the first light rail in the country, the Red Trolley. San Diego is a post WW II city with low density but with challenges of canyons and mesas. First-Mile/Last-Mile challenges because of their auto environment. Need a Universal Transportation Account (App). "Kiss and Ride" refers to spouse dropping of partner at a station. Both Imperial and San Diego Counties in Plan. University city area next light rail line from Old Town. Skyway from University to Sorrento Mesa because of 4% masimum light rail incline. 6-8 rider cabins every 12 - 16 seconds. Mobility Hub Elements: 1. Transit Inventment and Supporting Land Use, 2. Street Improvements, 3. Pedestrian Improvements, 4. Bike Improvements, 5. Shared Services, 6. ITS Elements Rather than calling a meeting for public input which gets 20 people who are against the projects, have Pop-Up Outreach at Farmer's Markets and other public events.

David Kriske, Assistant Community Development Director, Transportation Division, City of Burbank

Key points: Lockheed's former campus includes the current Burbank Airport. and 560 acres for development. Burbank, Glendale, and Pasadena jointly own the Burbank Airport. Bike plan to the Airport for the 2,000+ employees.

Greg Taylor, Senior Architect, City of Sacramento

Key points: Focus on 15 acres and former SP shops. 7 buildings left of original 250 in the shops. Greenline planned to airport. Long walk to get to newly aligned tracks called by some "Death March" but he calls it "Open Space Experience".

1:50 PM - 2:50 PM Panel 6 - Grants and Budgeting

• David Kutrosky, Managng Director, Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority
• William Ridder, LA Metro

Grants and Budgeting

David Kutrosky, Managng Director, Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority

William Ridder, LA Metro

Key points: Must include "freight element" in grants

2:50 PM - 3:00 PM BREAK

3:00 PM - 3:45 PM Panel 7 - Innovative Financing

    • Kurt Ramey, Partner, KPMG
    • Dr. Joshua Schank, Chief Innovation Officer, Metro
    • Dan Leavitt, San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA) (Moderator)

3:45 California Train Day

    • Paul Dyson, President, Rail Passenger Association of California and Nevada (RailPAC)

          RailPAC plans to have a yearly "California Train Day" hoping to get people on the train including Tourist Railroads. It is planned each year to be the Saturday closest to May 9, the Golden Spike Anniversary PDyson@RailPAC.com for donations.

4:00 PM - 4:15 PM Closing Remarks

    • Hon. Greg Pettis, Mayor Pro-tem & RCTC Commissioner, Cathedral City, Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG)

As I took the Metro subway back to my hotel, I was struck by the amount of departures of trains and busses from Los Angeles Union Station on a weekday afternoon. There were 10 departures of Metrolink and Amtrak trains and busses in one hour on the board. And this does not include any of the many light rail departures.