DOT moves U.S. High-Speed Rail closer to reality

Today, the DOT took another step toward realizing President Obama's historic vision for high-speed rail in America. Today, the DOT published guidelines for states and regions to apply for the federal funds that will move high-speed rail forward.

State governors support it. Newspapers support it. Even Fox Business News has smiled on it. It is game-changing, and it is happening now.

As Rep. James Oberstar has described, we've had high-speed rail legislation since at least 1991. I've been talking about it on these pages for months.

In May, I went to Europe and learned quite a bit from my counterparts in France, Spain, and Germany about the value their systems provide. Also in May, officials from the Federal Railroad Administration began meeting with more than 1,000 people across the country to gather input on rail.

Earlier this month, Vice President Biden and I met with governors and state transportation chiefs about the boost improved passenger rail service would provide their economies.

 

And now, the time has finally come for the United States to get serious about building a national network of high-speed rail corridors we can all be proud of.

A robust 21st Century economy requires efficient transportation of people from urban center to urban center. And, the guidance we publish today will evaluate proposals for their ability to:

• Make trips quicker and more convenient;
• Reduce congestion on highways and at airports; and
• Meet other environmental, energy and safety goals.

So, today the guidance; in mid-September we'll be back with the first round of grant awards. I am proud to say the DOT is meeting its ARRA commitments and meeting them responsibly.

This commitment to revitalizing the nation’s rails with high-speed corridors and improved existing service between cities includes $8 billion in competitive grants under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. In his budget, the President has further proposed a continuing $1 billion investment in this bold program.

High-speed rail can reduce traffic congestion on the roads and in the skies, and it links conveniently with light rail, subways and buses for competitive door-to-door travel times. It will encourage economic growth and create new domestic jobs even as it makes our communities more livable.

The guidelines require rigorous financial and environmental planning to make sure projects are worthy of investment and likely to be successful. Both planning and construction are eligible, so states can apply for funds no matter what stage of development their project is in.

At the June 3 meeting, I said "President Obama has handed us an extraordinary opportunity." Well, the DOT and the hardworking and meticulous folks at the FRA have seized that opportunity and today have advanced this nation closer to its high-speed rail future.

Comments

[Royall Spence]

I really hope this turns out well. I'd gladly board a train to avoid another frustrating (and potentially fatal) 2 hour interstate drive.

[Jeramey Jannene]

Best of look to all the other states, but may Wisconsin win!

[Peter Muller]

PRT could help solve rail dilemma.

People generally prefer rail to bus service. Rail generally provides a smoother, faster and more reliable ride. However, the faster service comes at the expense of fewer stations. Feeding a train system with buses does not work well because people don’t like to use two services that can both involve long, unpredictable wait times.

This dilemma can be solved by integrating a personal rapid transit (PRT) collector/distributor system into the rail system. People can be expected to view the combined systems almost as one, since the PRT system involves almost no waiting (typically less than one minute). The cost savings of the rail stations that can be eliminated could go a long way to paying for the PRT system while allowing the trains to run faster, The combined systems will provide a much higher level of service with wider coverage, thereby enticing a higher ridership. A bonus would be the increase in land values of the wider area within walking distance of the combined systems.

The Swedes are ahead of us on this concept and are seriously investigating PRT last-mile service between commuter rail and downtown business districts. The UAE has started construction of an auto-free city (Masdar) dependent on PRT for internal transportation. The British have a PRT system about to go into public service at Heathrow Airport. We Americans need to start catching up!

[Christian C.]

Secretary LaHood, I would like to applaud both you and all other people involved (Mr. Biden and Mr. Obama included) for starting this initiative; especially since it falls so neatly in supporting our high speed rail initiative here in California (passed as Proposition 1A on the November 2008 ballot). I am, however, concerned with the lack of talk on how Amtrak will be participating/affected by this development. In a recent Amtrak press release, "Boardman [President] stressed that a primary objective of Amtrak is to be the operator of the national high speed rail system being developed by states with new federal funding provided in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act." This quote does not appear to be a solid guarantee, but the idea does have some appealing features (consolidated ticketing services for connecting trains being one). That said, I was wondering how you felt about the subject. (you, and anyone else who's reading this comment)

[Mack jackson]

Ya i agree that high-speed rail can reduce traffic congestion on the roads. As obama is involved in this project so all are hoping for good result.

[Paul Lebow]

Yes - High speed rail is an important piece of the puzzle but PRT has the potential to have the most significant impact on modern civilization since the automobile. Because PRT is scaleable it can be put in place cheaply with minimal impact on existing infrastructure or right-of-way issues and then follow a natural expansion as surrounding regions clamor for its benefits.

The automobile has totally reconfigured life style and land use by breaking the natural barriers and boundaries imposed by distance. Hence sprawl, climate chaos, hundreds of thousands of deaths and injuries, destruction of the environment, immense loss of productivity due to congestion, etc. The immense internal and external costs to society of the automobile are well documented in a FHWA study.

PRT has the potential of reversing the toxic effects of the automobile while at the same time providing a more desirable (from the standpoint of acceptance within the American culture) mode of transportation. It provides the autonomy of the automobile without the humiliation and regimentation imposed by conventional "mass" transit.

I am shocked and dismayed that DOT has not championed this as part of a "green" economic recovery solution that could provide a whole new market for Detroit's manufacturing base -now on life support.