Five Questions To: Ignacio Barron de Angoiti (1/2)

Posted on October 31, 2008 by Matthieu Desiderio

Transport Expertise hereby starts a series of specialists interviews with Mr. Ignacio Barron de Angoiti, High Speed Director, International Union of Railways (UIC) discussing the issue of “HSR in Northern America… where and when?”

Q1: Transport-Expertise.org

Rail in Northern America (United States and Canada) is still far from high-speed…

Could we expect to see a high-speed rail infrastructure in the next couple years (either progressive implementation, or directly 200+ mph)? If yes, according to you, where would be the most probable place(s)? When could we expect to see it?

A1: Ignacio Barron de Angoiti

In my opinion, the first high-speed project in any country or region must start by an “easy” project.

Ideal conditions for high-speed are two important population areas separated by 300 miles (+/-) in a flat land and without population in between.

So the first of this kind of projects in the United States of America should be chosen within the most similar conditions to these, especially because Society must know in deep what really high-speed is.

Q2:Transport-Expertise.org

Amtrak Northeast corridor, with its Acela operation, is the only part of the U.S. passenger rail network that has been shown financially profitable. According to American transport officials, the area is almost totally urbanized from Washington to Boston and there is “almost no right of way available to build a high-speed rail line” along the existing rail tracks. We think there still is a way to plan the construction of either a new or a renewed infrastructure.

From your point of view, what do you think would be technically possible to do to build a high-speed rail line between these East Coast metropolitan areas?

A2:Ignacio Barron de Angoiti

Yes, everything is possible. The question is to know at what cost.

The conception of a new high-speed line in the Northeast corridor (or in any other corridor) must be adapted to American way of life, and consequently, not necessarily with the same criteria and parameters as European lines.

Anyway the cost will be elevated but it is necessary to balance with the benefits for Society.

Download the complete interview in PDF

FIVE QUESTIONS TO: Ignacio Barron de Angoiti

References from the Transport Information Group

High-Speed Rail coverage on the Transport Information Group:

In brief: SNCF to test 350+ kph high-speed trains, Oct. 19, 2008
SNCF to acquire 20 pc of the Italian railroad NTV, Oct. 14, 2008
In brief: Call for proposals for Nimes and Montpellier rail bypass, Oct. 1, 2008
Rhône to Rhine HSR line will be delivered on time, Aug. 11, 2008
Western extension of the HSR network toward Brittany, Jul. 30, 2008
Future HSR line to Brittany: local governments participate in the funding, Jul. 1, 2008
Cargo Rail Express: does it ring a bell?, Jun. 27, 2008
In brief: High Speed Rail will invade Poland by 2020, Jun. 11, 2008
Matthieu Desiderio joins High Speed Rail Canada, May 31, 2008
High Speed Rail: Internet connection on board Thalys trains, May 27, 2008
France-Spain High Speed link starting in 2009, May 7, 2008
Deutsche Bahn: To be or not to be… privatised?, Apr. 23, 2008
French rail: unfinished reform, uncertain strategy?, Apr; 17, 2008
Eurotunnel and Eurostar 2008 1Q results: positive!, Apr. 16, 2008
SNCF: recent unexpected and future expected moves, Apr. 14, 2008
SNCF recent moves: toward privatization of freight activities?, Apr. 11, 2008
In brief: High-Speed Rail news from the world, Mar. 10, 2008
Four challenges for the future SNCF president, Feb. 18, 2008
Air France KLM attracted by the new Alstom AGV, Feb. 11, 2008
Alstom AGV launched: on track in France by 2014, Feb. 5, 2008
High Speed Rail: fast trains, slow projects, Jan. 25, 2008
High Speed Freight Rail: already a reality, Jan. 24, 2008
In brief: TGV vs. Air France, on Paris to Strasbourg, Jan. 25, 2008
High Speed Freight Rail: already a reality, Jan. 24, 2008
High Speed Rail: SNCF modify its fares, Jan. 23, 2008
High Speed Rail: News from Spain, Jan. 21, 2008
In brief: Alstom trains go full speed!, Jan. 16, 2008
HSR “breaking” news: Top secret? Not that much…, Jan. 10, 2008
High Speed Rail: Surfing the Internet at 320 kph, Jan. 8, 2008
Spain: first HSR network by 2015?, Dec. 26, 2007
SNCF: up to EUR 9 billion worth of HSR trains, Dec. 19, 2007
High Speed Rail: TGV commercial speed will top 360 kph, Dec. 17, 2007

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