Let me first say that it is time the United States would benefit immensely by connecting our major cities with High Speed Rail (HSR) through high speed passenger and freight rail.
Since Japan, China, France, Germany, Italy, ROC (Taiwan), Turkey, South Korea and Spain have developed high-speed rail to connect major cities. As of 2012 the maximum commercial speed on most high-speed rail lines was about 300 km/h (185 mph).
Proponents: HSR will reduce traffic burdens, provide an environmental benefit, and create jobs. If people come to favor the high speed rail lines over transit by car, especially over longer distances, there will be a positive effect for the environment, as far less pollution will be created overallSupporters of high speed rail say that the benefit to the community, the environment, and the economy far outweighs any costs.
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| America's Current HSR |
Detractors state HSR will eat the budget and reap no real rewards. Very few people will take the trains, opting instead for the freedom offered by personal automobiles. Prices for high speed rail tickets might be too expensive for many people to take the trains regularly. This lack of riders will render the supposed benefits of the high speed rail network moot.
Time prohibits going into detail on HSR. But rest assured I will do a mini-series on this topic after A to Z.
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Hi Steve - thank goodness you'e back and running with a blog - enough said for now.
ReplyDeleteHigh Speed Rail .. trying to navigate new tunnels through London's infrastructure including avoiding Victorian sewers etc is interesting to learn about - and then they're promulgating one to go to the north .. through the countryside ..
If the HSR will take some of the burden off flying ... just diluting the numbers ... that would make life more comfortable all round ..
Cheers - it'll be interesting to read your thoughts in due course with your mini-series .. Hilary
Steve, Im in favour for the HSR, with the distances people have to travel it make sense to have a more convienient and efficient means of travel. I think the more people use it over time it would be cost effective way to travel not only to the finances but to the environment as well. Blessings for the week.
ReplyDeleteAmanda - Realityarts-Creativity
Art Blog
Sounds like a great idea. Wish Jamaica could have one of these.
ReplyDeleteI too think it a great idea, hope all your blog problems are over,
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
Wow, I didn't know you'd moved. My post today is about High Speed too.
ReplyDeleteIs the Mag-Lev still a technology that's being worked on? I always thought that was interesting.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how much it would cost to ride? Trains seem so expensive. Glad I found your new blog but I didn't see the follow button.
ReplyDeleteJust not sure it would work here. We're just too spread out. And spoiled with our vehicles.
ReplyDeleteI saw this on Alex's blog. Will check to see about your other blog as I didn't see the follower thingie here.
ReplyDeleteI think that the people of this country are too spoiled with their own vehicles. I personally would love a HSR that was reasonably priced.
ReplyDeleteElliot
We Are Adventure
I think HSR is a wonderful idea, but sadly I think people are too used to the independence of their cars. Maybe they would adapt, but it would take a while.
ReplyDeleteJO ON FOOD, MY TRAVELS AND A SCENT OF CHOCOLATE
I think we need a good HSR. My few experiences with Amtrak have not been good.
ReplyDeleteI think it would be good if more Americans used public transportation. It's not really set up to work very well right now, though. In time. Glad to have found your new blog via Alex.
ReplyDeleteMeant to leave my blog address:
ReplyDeletePlay off the Page
We barely have a bus system in our town. This would work in bigger, more populated areas though.
ReplyDeleteI mentioned you in my post today, Stephen.
Oh I'd love it if we had high speed rail. Jetting here and there - yeah, that'd be great. Soooo - where's your new follower button?
ReplyDeleteIt would definitely be better than the current flight situation. I hate to fly now.
ReplyDeleteFrom A to Z, Kristen's blog: kristenhead.blogspot.com
I would love a chance to ride HSR-maybe some day!
ReplyDeleteI look forward to your mini series ;D
The US is so far behind other countries in public transportation. And yes, we're spoiled. We like to come and go according to our own schedules, and just hop in the car, burn some fossil fuel, and go about our merry way...
ReplyDeleteTina @ Life is Good
Co-host, April 2013 A-Z Challenge Blog
@TinaLifeisGood, #atozchallenge
I love travelling by train. It was one of the things that was firmly in the pro list when I was deciding to move back to Germany. Realistically, to go anywhere else when living in Ireland meant flying (yes, there are ferries but they take longer, aren't any cheaper and then there's the travel sickness), but in Germany I can just turn up at the train station and get on a train going to one of three or four countries. Or I can get a train to a town twenty minutes away and have access to trains going to several other countries. No need to check in, no security checks so I can bring a packed lunch including drink and have my knitting with me, no waiting for hours because I was afraid to turn up late, and if I miss the train, well, I can just get the next one in an hour or two (at most). I read a good post on trains in Germany just the other day if you're interested: http://stevenglassman.de/2013/03/18/ice-ice-baby/
ReplyDeleteI road on the bullet train in Japan and agree that the U.S. could benefit. I live in Texas where there is wide open space and way too much traffic between the cities that are growing together. I say yes!
ReplyDeleteunfortunately our country did not have the foresight to maintain our rail lines. Good luck affording HSR now. The country is broke and if we aren't careful will go bankrupt. How do you suggest this be paid for?
ReplyDeleteWe surely did miss the boat on HSR. I think it is a shame we didn't insist years ago.
ReplyDeleteLiving in Philadelphia I often take the train to NYC. The cost has increased so much lately I seriously consider driving. The train increasingly feels unsafe as well.
Thank you for hosting the challenge!
doreenmcgettigan.com
I am in favor of high speed rail and think it was a bad idea when we abandoned trains in favor of cars and trucks.
ReplyDelete