Chinese, German and Spanish High-Speed Rail Systems to be Featured at U.S. High Speed Rail Association Conference in L.A. June 17-18

LOS ANGELES, June 15 /PRNewswire/ -- America's high-speed rail future will draw from the expertise of potential international partners, and evolving high-speed rail projects in China, Germany and Spain will be among those featured at the U.S. High Speed Rail Association Conference in Los Angeles beginning June 17.

Across the globe, international governments and private companies are designing, building and successfully operating and expanding high-speed rail systems, and exporting that technology to new entrants. In China, as an example, nearly 1,200 miles of high-speed rail lines carrying trains capable of traveling 200 mph and faster are opening this year alone, extending a massive green transportation system being expedited in that country.  And in Spain, which hopes to have a high-speed rail station within 30 miles of most Spanish citizens in 10 years, high-speed trains already are navigating a varied geography through an impressive network of tunnels.

"We're fortunate and excited that executives from companies involved in high-speed rail projects in China, Germany, Spain and across the globe will be joining us at High Speed Rail: 2010 to profile their projects and showcase what's possible here in the United States,'' said Andy Kunz, Chief Executive Officer and President of the U.S. High Speed Rail Association.

The two-day conference at the Hilton Universal City will include global rail industry executives, as well as policy makers, civic leaders, transportation officials and business people from across California and the United States.  The conference will explore a range of topics aimed at providing a closer look at plans, processes, pathways and potential for a high-speed rail system in California and other parts of the U.S.

"The train is rounding the track for high-speed rail in California and the U.S., and these global leaders will help deliver the blueprint, best practices and master plan for HSR in America," said Thomas A. Hart, the U.S. High Speed Rail Association's vice president for government affairs.

Among confirmed participants:  California Transportation Secretary Dale Bonner; Juan Matias Archilla, Director International Projects for Renfe; Petra Todorovich, Director – America 2050; Jo Linda Thompson, HSR Policy Advisor and Executive Director for the Association of California High Speed Trains; Judge Quentin L. Kopp, board member for the California High Speed Rail Authority; Katherine Perez, ULI Los Angeles; Frank Guzzo, Director of Business Development - Siemens Mobility; Antonio Perez, CEO Talgo, Spain; and more.

For conference program information, log on to: http://www.ushsr.com/events/california2010.html

SOURCE U.S. High Speed Rail Association