What Holds High-Speed Rail Back: Lessons From Global Systems and California’s Experience

Sharma, Deepak K.; Lekhi, Rajnish; Parr, Scott A.

doi:10.31979/mti.2026.2470

i

What Holds High-Speed Rail Back: Lessons From Global Systems and California’s Experience

2026-03-01
By Sharma, Deepak K. ; Lekhi, Rajnish ; Parr, Scott A.

File Language:

English

Details

Creators:

Sharma, Deepak K. ; Lekhi, Rajnish ; Parr, Scott A.
Corporate Creators:

San Jose State University. College of Business. Mineta Transportation Institute ; California State University, Fullerton
Corporate Contributors:

State of California SB1 2017/2018, Trustees of the California State University Sponsored Programs Administration ; United States. Department of Transportation. Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology ; United States. Department of Transportation. University Transportation Centers (UTC) Program
Subject/TRT Terms:

Bridges Costs Financing High Speed Rail Highways Interviewing Land Legislation Lessons Learned Passenger Trains Property Acquisition Railroad Transportation
Publication/ Report Number:

26-03
DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31979/mti.2026.2470
Resource Type:

Tech Report
Geographical Coverage:

United States ; California ; Japan ; Eastern States
Corporate Publisher:

San Jose State University. College of Business. Mineta Transportation Institute
Abstract:

This report examines benefits and challenges of integrating California High-Speed Rail (CHSR) with other rail systems and reviews California legislation impacting HSR’s contracting and financing alternatives. The research compares CHSR with high-speed rail systems around the world to identify similarities and differences in costs, speeds, ridership, and operating conditions. It also reviews Japan’s Land Readjustment Act as a model for value capture and land assembly and explores international experiences on rail integration, along with U.S. cases from the East Coast and Los Angeles. A review of California’s transportation legislation highlights how laws for highways and bridges differ from those for HSR. The study uses a database of oversight reports and legislative documents to identify recurring challenges such as funding shortfalls, permitting, cost escalation, and right-of-way acquisition. Semi-structured interviews with subject matter experts further highlight legal, financial, and project delivery issues. The study concludes that stable funding, early resolution of land and environmental issues, streamlined permitting, and better coordination across agencies are necessary for future HSR projects. Recommendations include creating stronger partnerships with third parties, adopting value capture, crowdsource financing, and reforms to eminent domain and permitting processes. This research demonstrates that effective rail integration is a governance and policy imperative critical to building a connected, sustainable, and economically competitive California.
Format:

PDF
Funding:

SB1-SJAUX_2023-26
Collection(s):

University Transportation Centers
Main Document Checksum:

urn:sha-512:e6f886408966a9f54612c24eea314c48a2b43e616d59c003a8e6a3c69dbf8b0372f43b6379dd45b1e5e27e4541a97a8253cc922467101aec35460810afe6dd79
Download URL:

https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/89776/dot_89776_DS1.pdf
File Type:

[PDF - 6.55 MB ]

File Language:

English

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