John Hennessy III,
P.E.
AMERICA 2050
…There is a steep learning curve for states and regions in developing high-speed and even “classic” intercity passenger corridors. This report aims to educate the public and decision makers about the elements of success for high-speed rail as measured by factors that contribute to ridership demand for these services, particularly as they apply to the unique spatial attributes and travel patterns of America.
REGIONAL PLAN ASSOCIATION/ AMERICA 2050
Infrastructure and transportation is traditionally a bipartisan issue – characterized by equal opportunity “pork.” Under intensely partisan congresses, transportation bills passed in 2005 during the George W. Bush Administration, in 1998 during the Clinton Administration, and in 1991 during the George H.W. Bush Administration. The Surface Transportation Assistance Act even passed in 1982 during Ronald Reagan’s administration and with the president’s support, despite the Gipper’s heavily anti-federal-government stances.
High-speed rail could be the most exciting development in transportation since the construction of our national highway system. America 2050, AASHTO, the United States Conference of Mayors and, of course, the Obama Administration are just a few of HSR’s many advocates. Construction is beginning soon in Florida, and other states and regions already have plans in the works. A national high-speed rail system is more attainable than ever, but will it come fast enough?
View this complete post...AMERICA 2050
America 2050 launched a research program on highspeed rail in 2009 to provide input and help shape the federal government’s new highspeed intercity passenger rail (HSIPR) program. In September 2009, we released the report “Where High-Speed Rail Works Best,” which discussed factors contributing to ridership demand for high-speed rail. The paper argued that the federal government should focus preliminary ARRA grants in corridors with the greatest passenger demand for high-speed rail service.
Moving forward, our research will continue to focus on success factors in developing high-speed rail systems and strategies for developing a national intercity passenger network. To that end, we offer the following recommendations for the long-term National Rail Plan, focused primarily on the elements of success for passenger rail.
View this complete post...
Petra Todorovich is Director of America 2050, a national urban planning initiative to develop an infrastructure and growth strategy for the United States. She has written articles on transportation and infrastructure policy and is a frequent speaker on the topics of transportation policy, megaregions, and national planning. Prior to the launch of America 2050, Ms. Todorovich directed Regional Plan Association’s Region’s Core program and coordinated the Civic Alliance to Rebuild Downtown New York, a network of organizations that came together shortly after 9/11 to promote the rebuilding of the World Trade Center site and Lower Manhattan.
View this complete post...REGIONAL PLAN ASSOCIATION
Competition is heating up over the federal government’s $8 billion high-speed rail program, with grants due to be announced in early 2010. Leading contenders for the largest category of funding – “Track 2-Programs” for rail corridors, as opposed to site-specific projects – include corridors in California, Florida, North Carolina and the Midwest, among other smaller routes in the Northeast like the Philadelphia-Harrisburg, New York-Albany, and New Haven-Springfield.
AMERICA 2050/ REGIONAL PLAN ASSOCIATION
“Climate change, underfunded infrastructure, outdated management approaches, and the pressures of urbanization are creating a looming crisis for America’s water…”
AMERICA 2050/ REGIONAL PLAN ASSOCIATION
“Rather than adding hundreds of billions of dollars to the national debt to pay for our long-overdue infrastructure revival, perhaps the President and Congress should consider an alternative path…”
AMERICA 2050/ REGIONAL PLAN ASSOCIATION
“America’s response to the dual challenge of meeting its growing energy needs and responding to the threat of global climate change will define its ability to compete globally in the 21st century…”
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