Chapter
Jun 2, 2014
High Speed Rail Another Look
Authors: Herbert S. Levinson [email protected] and John Allen, Ph.D. [email protected]Author Affiliations
Publication: T&DI Congress 2014: Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
Abstract
This paper takes another look at high-speed rail in the United States. Faster rail service will become more important as the nation's population grows, traffic congestion increases, and air space becomes more overcrowded. National interest in faster intercity rail service is growing, especially in corridors up to 400 miles. The paper explores various options for faster rail services that range from full-fledge high speed rail (HSR) with top speeds up to 200 mph to more modest speeds (HrSr) with incremental improvements to existing lines with top speeds up to 110 to 125 mph. It contains a level of service concept that is consistent with Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) track classes. Key factors that are essential for HSR and HrSr are discussed. They include markets, physical environments, costs, and public policy. The more promising projects have these factors mutually reinforcing each other. They have major anchors at both ends of a line, good intermediate markets, and suitable rights-of-way. Within this context, the paper identifies promising corridors. They include the HSR and HrSr corridors under development in California, the Northeast Corridor, and possible corridors in the Midwest, Florida, Texas and the Pacific Northwest.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this chapter.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Copyright
© 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published online: Jun 2, 2014
Permissions
Request permissions for this article.
Authors
Affiliations
F.ASCE
Transportation Consultant, 5305 Ashlar Village, Wallingford, CT 06492. E-mail: [email protected]
Transportation Consultant, 5518 Harper Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, 60637-1830. E-mail: [email protected]
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.
View Options
Get Access
Access content
Please select your options to get access
Log in/Register
Log in via your institution (Shibboleth)
ASCE Members:
Please log in to see member pricing
Purchase
Save for later Item saved, go to cart Information on ASCE Library Cards
ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.
Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
Get Access
Access content
Please select your options to get access
Log in/Register
Log in via your institution (Shibboleth)
ASCE Members:
Please log in to see member pricing
Purchase
Save for later Item saved, go to cart Information on ASCE Library Cards
ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.
Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.