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I am a big supporter of high speed rail. But in this country, people hate it. I mean HATE it. Whether it's NIMBYs or the cost of the project they just hate it! I mean HATE! I am wondering how the Interstate highway system, which cost hundreds of BILLIONS, got built. Was there this much hate for that too? How are we going to build a US network of high speed trains?
In Florida, the high-speed-rail issue came to a head about 1-2 years ago. Because of Federal cost-sharing, a number of people (and liberal politicians) cried, "We're just throwing away 'free money' by not building the high-speed rail. The reality was that even with the cost-sharing, it was still going to cost the state several Billion $$'s - yet, not really meet pressing traffic needs.
With regard to your observation that the opposition has been particularly spiteful or hateful, I've not seen that side of it (??)
In Florida, the high-speed-rail issue came to a head about 1-2 years ago. Because of Federal cost-sharing, a number of people (and liberal politicians) cried, "We're just throwing away 'free money' by not building the high-speed rail. The reality was that even with the cost-sharing, it was still going to cost the state several Billion $$'s - yet, not really meet pressing traffic needs.
With regard to your observation that the opposition has been particularly spiteful or hateful, I've not seen that side of it (??)
I have been on HSR in both Japan, Europe, and the US. I enjoy it. But I have a hard time with building it because it has a staggering cost to build operational systems. I think its convenience is exaggerated too. It isn't much less expensive than commuter air.
Because the price is outrageous. Also, HSR isn't always appropriate. I can take a flight from San Francisco to New York do whatever I have to do and red eye back. It's not a pleasant day but it can be done. If you figure HSR could average 200 mph (which it can't including stops), you're looking at a 15+ hour trip. It's great for moderate distance trips that are heavily traveled. East to west coast is really too far and way way way to lowly traveled to make sense for HSR. I think San Francisco to LA could make sense. Maybe not now, but in 20 years definitely. The problem isn't even cost. It's cost of doing it here is outrageously inflated compared to what similar projects around the world cost.
It's the money. Plus this country is too spread out and dispersed. Why build LA to SF when only a small fraction of travelers want to connect those two exact cities. It's good it in the NE where cities are close together and there are good local transit systems to get you to your final destination.
HSR requires population concentration to be operationally practical...
let alone to even approach being economically viable.
With a VERY few exceptions the places in the US with that concentration
(eg the northeast corridor) would be a nightmare to build in.
Add the land and labor costs into that mix... and you get no actual HSR.
Hating or "being against" HSR however, plays no role in any of that.
I have been on HSR in both Japan, Europe, and the US. I enjoy it. But I have a hard time with building it because it has a staggering cost to build operational systems. I think its convenience is exaggerated too. It isn't much less expensive than commuter air.
High speed rail does not exist in the U.S. We have medium speed, maybe (acela).
The advantages are discovered when you consider how much less energy is used by rail than plane.
High speed rail does not exist in the U.S. We have medium speed, maybe (acela).
The advantages are discovered when you consider how much less energy is used by rail than plane.
Yes I understand that Acela is not the same as the Shinkansen. The energy savings are only material if people use it.
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