ENGLISH ESSAY

MEMO

First Submission

FROM: Tamin Alajlan

TO: Professor Poladian, Instructor SELP 694, LMU

DATE: 1st Feb 2015

SUBJECT: Memo on Scott Jarvis and Jon Tapping “A Transformative Investment in California’s Future”

On January 29, 2015 in the SELP 694 Seminar Class, Mr. Scott Jarvis and Jon Tapping presented a lecture entitled “‘A Transformative Investment in California’s Future.” Mr. Jarvis is currently the Deputy Chief Program Manager of California High-Speed Rail Authority. Mr. Jarvis graduated from California State University – Chico where he earned B.S. in Civil Engineering. He has over 26 years of experience in transportation and commercial planning where he has served in different roles. Jon Tapping brings a wealth of experience in transportation program management. He is current serving as the Director of Risk Management and Project Controls in the California High Speed Rail Program. In addition, he is the recipient of several awards in his field such as 2011 Charles H. Purcell Award given to him for his risk management accomplishments.

The speakers shared the importance of investing in high-speed rail in California. They give various benefits of the infrastructure as the city acts as a hub connecting all other satellite centers in the locality. This will therefore be a transformative investment. Furthermore, high-speed rail is expected to address various transportation challenges commonly experienced within the area such as congestion, address increased population as well as address environmental concerns related from pollution from other forms of transportation. The speakers also argues that high-speed rail will, in the long run, cut the cost for the city by up to a third in the current expenses

Jarvis and Jon continue to say the infrastructure will boost economic development of the region by linking markets and associated players. It presents various opportunities for collaboration and investment. Towards the realization of this goal, funding for the project has been sourced from the federal reserves as well as the subsequent construction and environmental clearances. Multiple contracting will be done to ensure timely delivery of the project milestones. The project will go through the normal cycle phases of a project. These are planning, management, preliminary engineering, environmental approval, ROW acquisition, design, construction, contract compliance, operation, and maintenance.

There are various requirements that are necessary in the delivery of such an undertaking. This includes; delivery plans, work plans, organization structure, schedules, budgets and delivery approach. Also worth considering, is the design considerations and integrating systems interfaces. Risk management and contingency planning is also essential for the project. Risks need to be identified, and mitigation measures applied accordingly.

Jarvis and Jon’s presentation made me realize that there are various facets to project planning that needs to be considered. All this requires in-depth planning and collaboration between various parties. This collaboration will involve various stakeholders such as policymakers, planner, managers, workers, right of way agents and outreach or Public Relations experts. Further, contracts, compliance, project, program, risk surveyors and estimators must also be involved.

All in all, the presentation was very informative and has enabled me to have a new found respect for the authorities in the transport sector. The speakers were very engaging and I appreciated information he shared about the current and future plans for California High-Speed Rail Authority.