California High Speed Rail - OCS Design

Overview

The California High-Speed Rail (HSR) project is the nation’s first high-speed rail system designed to connect major regions across the state with fast, reliable, zero-emission service. Authorized by Proposition 1A in 2008, the project is designed to reduce traffic congestion, provide a sustainable alternative to air and highway travel, and support the state’s climate goals. The system will ultimately span 494 miles between San Francisco and Los Angeles/Anaheim and will feature trains capable of traveling up to 220 miles per hour. Initially the project will focus on the Central Valley and ultimately expand to the Bay Area and Southern California in future phases. The initial 171-mile segment is the first high-speed rail track and OCS initiative in the United States, marking a major step forward in modernizing the nations’ transportation network and Wescom Solutions is the OCS Engineer of Record (EOR) for the project.

Wescom Solutions – Project Role

Wescom serves as a subconsultant on the SYSTRA | TYPSA Joint Venture team selected by CAHSRA to design the full 171-mile OCS system for the initial passenger service. As the EOR, Wescom provides technical leadership and final engineering authority for all OCS-related drawings and design decisions Our responsibilities include the development of 25 kV OCS, preparing engineering drawings, performing technical calculations, verifying compliance with applicable state and federal requirements and industry standards, and ensuring the design accommodates future extensions.

Project Significance

Designing the OCS for the country’s first high‑speed rail system requires close coordination with civil works, traction power, track design, communications, stations, and future construction contractors. As part of the SYSTRA | TYPSA team, we contribute to design principles, detailed OCS design, and system integration across the corridor. The JV was selected to deliver a modern, efficient, and fully integrated rail system for the inaugural 171‑mile segment. This work directly supports California’s effort to create a fast, sustainable transportation option that reduces congestion, lowers emissions, and improves statewide mobility.

Summary

Through our role as Engineer of Record, Wescom Solutions helps ensure the California High‑Speed Rail’s OCS is designed for long‑term safety, reliability, and operational performance. Contributing to the first high‑speed rail system in the United States, and to the detailed design of 171 miles of electrified infrastructure, is a significant milestone for both the state and our firm .