Four out of 5 panel members selected the steel wheel on steel rail technology, with panel member Panos Prevedouros recommending managed lanes as his selection. The managed lanes technology was not consistent with the policy established by the Honolulu City Council when council members selected the fixed guideway system as Honolulu’s locally preferred transportation alternative.

The panel members selecting steel wheel on steel rail include: Steve Barsony, Ken Knight, Henry Kolesar, Ron Tober (Panel Chair).

The reasons cited for their selection included:

• Most mature technology;

• Most widely used and available technology, expected to provide the best competition in procurement;

• High reliability;

• Operational safety;

• Best potential for vehicle and system interchangeability;

• High-speed capability;

• Non-proprietary systems;

• Minimal risk.

The four technology options under consideration were:

• steel wheel on steel rail;

• rubber tire on concrete;

• monorail;

• magnetic levitation.

It should be understood that the Panel evaluated the four options after receiving 12 responses to the City’s Request for Information (RFI) about technologies that potential bidders could provide.

The City has not yet requested, and the responders have not submitted, actual proposals to supply any technologies or vehicles. Nor has the City yet solicited actual bids to construct any portion of the Fixed Guideway on which the technology will operate. The City will conduct a competitive procurement process as a Final Environmental Impact Statement is completed next year.

Background information on the panel members is available at

http://www.honolulutransit.org/. The panel’s final report and other background information related to the Panel and the overall project can also be found on the project website.

Bill Brennan is spokesperson for the City & County of Honolulu

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