High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Program (USA)
High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Program
http://www.fra.dot.gov/images/FRASmallHeader2.gif Read More: http://www.fra.dot.gov/us/content/31 Quote:
* 150 MPH at top speed but the entire trip has an average speed of just 70 MPH for Amtrak, as opposed to an average of 175 MPH for the French TGV. So if high speed is only going to refer to it's top speed only and the average speed would end up being a regular speed it kind of makes this a joke. Interactive HSIPR Project Map - Click regions for details PDF Document PDF Route Map, Present & Future |
" just as the Interstate Highway System took 50 years to complete, the true potential of a fully integrated high-speed intercity passenger rail network will not be achieved or realized overnight."
That's disgustingly disingenuous IMHO. When it was proposed, the Interstate Highway System had an adequate and dedicated funding mechanism--the gas tax. That's what HSR lacks. As things are, it depends on the triennial transportation bill passed by Congress and nobody seriously believes that will be generous to HSR in the out years if the Republicans take over Congress. HSR needs to have what the Interstate System had--funding that's reliable and adequate. |
I think you sort of answered your own comment. The gas tax. Raise it, and use the extra to fund HSR. American's are adaptable, they'll gripe at first and then when they see and/or use the benefits, they'll learn to live with it.
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I could go on and on but we could significantly reduce (perhaps by half) our consumption of oil if we made a few choices and decided to price the externalities of consuming oil. |
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Here at SSP, these threads often go astray as people propose their own ideas for solutions that may or may not have any relation to reality or to what is politically possible or likely. I agree with you that raising the gas tax would be a very desirable way to provide HSR the funding it needs. I also think raising the gas tax has benefits regardless of how the money is used (less use of imported oil, less pollution etc). But I don't know if that is the most politically acceptable solution. If HSR is to happen, it needs whatever funding source the politicians can put together and I think it's kind of pointless here to argue what we wish they'd do. The real question is what can they do and what are they likely to do? |
Superfast ‘Maglev’ Trains Coming to the US
Jan 26, 2010 Read More: http://www.breakitdownblog.com/super...ing-to-the-us/ http://www.wired.com/magazine/2010/01/ff_fasttrack/2/ Quote:
California Maglev Deployment Program PDF http://stag.wired.com/magazine/wp-co...ttrack2b_f.jpg |
edit: nevermind
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As for the Interstates, remember they do not raise revenue at all (except for toll highways). |
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The gas tax worked as a consistent funding mechanism for so long because Americans weren't pushing very hard for efficient cars, and Detroit wasn't about to spend serious money developing the technology when they could make more money offering new designs and new amenities. This meant that fuel efficiency stayed the same for decades, and the gas tax revenue grew in direct proportion to the growth of auto travel, allowing highway construction to keep pace with the demand for highways. But now that fuel-efficient cars are the new norm for personal vehicles, it will be difficult to choose a tax rate that can support the demand for new highways and transit without placing a heavy, heavy burden on those that have not or cannot switch to fuel-efficient vehicles, like small businesses and trucking companies. |
Mark, I don't get it. The article you provided claims it is a maglev system that's getting built, when we all know it's standard HSR that's getting built in most of the planned routes.
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California HSR won't be maglev.
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They're really wrong on that article.
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Looks like the Acela's and the NEC will get upgraded to handle speeds of 190mph. And the NEC will have new feeder routes branching off with speeds 100-140mph. Like the Lackawanna Line PA-NJ, I-91 Corridor in CT-MA, or the Keystone line upgrades to 140mph. Along with new routes like the Empire corridor in upstate NY & Boston-Montreal corridor (100-130mph) So HSR has a bright future in the NE , but outside the NE , the light is dimming. I also think alot states in the NE will put more pressure on the FRA to loosen there stupid rules.
~Corey |
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I did some research on average speeds of a couple of train routes (with lower top speed than the Acela) in Europe, and this is what I came up with. Distances are from Google Maps, so the average speed isn't entirely accurate, but it's a rough estimation. Train times are from the operator's websites. London, UK to Liverpool, UK (Virgin, Pendolino) Top speed: 125 mph 210 miles 2h 8m Average speed: 98 mph Stockholm, Sweden to Gothenburg, Sweden (SJ, X2000) Top speed: 125 mph 292 miles (468 km) 3h 2m Average speed: 96 mph Krakow, Poland to Warsaw, Poland (PKP, Express Intercity) Top speed: 100 mph 183 miles (293 km) 2h 31m Average speed: 73 mph For comparison: Boston, MA to Washington, DC (Amtrak, Acela Express) Top speed: 150 mph 457 miles 6h 32m Average speed: 70 mph So the average speed of the Acela is lower than a train with a top speed of 100 mph. The average speed is what really matters, Amtrak really needs to fix all those slow areas... |
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I suppose if new lines were built it could be Maglev but it wouldn't have the flexibility for the fast trains to extend into additional routes or have other trains sometimes share segments of the high speed tracks if need be. |
^ There's no need for new tracks to reach the same average speed that 125 mph trains (on upgraded old tracks) do in Europe, the existing tracks need to be improved significantly.
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Not just upgrade the old tracks but the high speed being hindered by other trains clogging up the routes. Amtrak has delays but it's not really their fault when it comes to hold ups with freight trains and stuff.
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