Rail Planning & Implementation
The Office of Rail Planning & Implementation (ORPI) leads the planning & implementation of an integrated, statewide rail & intercity bus network. By developing and supporting the California State Rail Plan, ORPI works to deliver zero-emission, efficient, and convenient passenger and freight rail transportation throughout California.
With a focus on coordinating our complex transportation system, we:
- Develop and update the California State Rail Plan.
- Work directly with local agencies to develop, fund, and support the capital projects needed to deliver the State Rail Plan’s goals.
- Model and analyze market demand and ridership forecasting for new service concepts.
- Integrate the statewide network with local and regional services available at every destination.
- Support access to opportunity and full inclusion in the State’s economy for all Californians, regardless of whether they can afford the cost of car-ownership.
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has initiated the Corridor Identification and Development Program to provide a comprehensive intercity passenger rail planning and development process that will help guide intercity passenger rail development throughout the country and create a pipeline of intercity passenger rail projects ready for implementation.
The funding is available for Amtrak, States, passenger rail authorities, and certain other administrative entities. In December 2023, the FRA selected 69 corridors across 44 states for the program of which nine corridors were in California. Caltrans was awarded as sponsor for five corridors: Capitol Corridor, San Joaquin Valley Corridor, Central Coast Corridor, Coachella Valley Rail Corridor, and LOSSAN Corridor.
- Awarded Corridors Connecting to California
- Nationwide Corridor Selection
- Corridors Awarded in California
- FRA Corridor ID Process
- Corridor ID Steps
- Service Development Plan
- Preliminary Engineering / NEPA
- Find More Program Information
The Integration and Network Planning Branch is responsible for developing, coordinating and updating the California State Rail Plan. The most recent Rail Plan update was released in early 2025 and is available through the links below. The Rail Plan establishes the framework for investing in passenger and freight rail across the state. It identifies a phased implementation strategy for efficiently delivering a coordinated and integrated statewide rail network.
Integration and Network Planning is also responsible for reviewing external planning documents for alignment with the California State Rail Plan, and providing technical and policy feedback to support coordinated planning and project development.
- 2024 California State Rail Plan
- Past Rail Plans
- Future Rail Plan Updates
- State Network Oversight
SP&M is responsible for the coordination and optimization of schedules between the three state rail corridors, as well as connecting buses. While the corridor agencies oversee schedule planning on each corridor, Caltrans is responsible for making sure local schedules are optimized for statewide connectivity. This responsibility covers both near-term changes and long-term planning. - Ridership Modeling
SP&M works in conjunction with a technical consultant on ridership projections for both near-term proposals and longer-term planning. This covers all three state corridors as well as emerging rail corridors in California and extending to adjacent states. We use a robust model specifically created for California rail and intercity bus ridership.
- Operations modeling
SP&M works in conjunction with a technical consultant to review operations planning using software that has the entire state rail network pre-programmed as a current base. Operating plan changes can be modeled to help determine best placement of capital investments such as increased track capacity. These changes are then added to the base model for iterative analysis. -
On-Time Performance Monitoring
SP&M works in conjunction with a technical consultant to provide a review of monthly on-time performance monitoring of state rail corridors. SP&M hosts periodic meetings between Caltrans, Corridor Agencies, Operators and Railroads for the north part of the state, with planned inclusion of the entire state.
- SP&M monitors and reports on service level changes to all conventional rail systems in California on a weekly basis. This oversight was critical in monitoring service reductions during the pandemic and continues with the ongoing service recovery and future service expansion.
- Other tasks covered by SP&M include review of rail plans and transit plans, intercity bus planning, assisting in the coordination of technical planning between agencies, creating schematic maps of rail corridors, and assisting with various plans, proposals, and reports for the Division of Rail.
- SP&M works in in close coordination with the Division of Rail regional coordinators, the Planning and Network Integration Branch, the Rail Equipment Office, state rail agencies, and other regional transit agencies.
- Rob Cunningham – Regional Coordinator – Central Coast
- Gabbie Sefranek – Regional Coordinator – Central California and North State
- Mitchell McNutt – Regional Coordinator – Southern California (Inland Empire)
- Ben Salter – Regional Coordinator Southern – California (Coastal)
- Bryce Goldstein – Regional Coordinator – San Francisco Bay Area, Capitol Region
- Tiara Schmidt – Strategic Investment Planner
- Alan Miller, Chief
- Liam Keaton
- Taylor Scheinuk
- Yizhou Wang
- Alex Kenefick, Chief
- Amir Alemi
- Simranjeet Kaur
- William Walker
Latest Updates
Related Links
At Division of Rail
Assets & Equipment
Passenger Rail Operations & Maintenance
Allied Modes
Active Transportation Program
Complete Streets
Transit Planning
Modernization for Rail and Transit
Cal-ITP
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