The development of high speed rail systems is universally considered as a stimulus for economic growth and also a sustainable response to population growth, increased travel demand and relieving transport capacity constraints.
Mott MacDonald has held a long association with high speed rail projects in Europe, Asia and the US. We've had key roles on UK High Speed 1, Taiwan’s Taipei to Kaohsiung system, China’s expanding network and HSL Zuid in the Netherlands. Building on this portfolio we also have key roles on UK High Speed 2, California High Speed Rail and have supported the Indian Government’s study of rail routes in northern India.
With more than 1500 professionals engaged on rail work globally, we can cover all aspects of high speed rail development anywhere in the world. Key services include:
- Demand analysis and economic evaluation
- Environmental assessment and sustainability appraisal
- Route alignment design
- Track form choice
- Noise and vibration evaluation
- Structures and tunnels
- Tunnel aerodynamics and ventilation
- Train control systems and rolling stock
- Operations and maintenance
- Safety assurance
- Design assurance
We are able to draw on our large international multidisciplinary resource base to create project teams for a number of high speed rail projects around the world.
For the UK’s High Speed 2 project we provided a broad range of planning, engineering and environmental services. Our combined operational and engineering expertise was used on Phase 1 to develop and integrate the London Tunnels and Old Oak Common Station designs. Our multidisciplinary teams were also used to undertake the option development and selection for the Phase 2 routes to Manchester including the key engineering inputs to the appraisal of sustainability. We've also undertaken route refinement work and supported public consultation on the Phase 2 route to Leeds.
We've been managing the engineering, environmental and public consultation activity on the Palmdale to Los Angeles section of the California High Speed Train Project. Our integrated team and approach to project management has delivered fully compliant CEQA/NEPA alternatives analysis supporting the selection of a preferred alignments and station locations. We've also undertaken engineering design on the Fresno to Palmdale section meeting the unique challenges presented by the topographic and seismic characteristics of the Tehachapi Mountains and Mojave desert.
Our track record has enabled us to use a multinational and multidisciplinary study team to support the Government’s aspiration for high speed rail in northern India.