High-Speed Rail: This week, Transport Expertise read… – #1

Posted on May 29, 2009 by Matthieu Desiderio

Transport Expertise starts a new series of product called “This week, Transport Expertise read…”: a press review of articles selected by Transport Expertise members among their readings, to share with our visitors what we are interested in… Hereafter stands articles about Urban Mobility. We plan to provide a selection for every major topic we are working on: Rail, Roads & Logistics, Air, Urban Mobility, Maritime & Waterways.

“Florida still has chance for fast train, but other states vying for U.S. aid” by Michael Turnbell, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, May 25, 2009

A bullet train, its supporters say, could boost tourism, create jobs and get cars off Florida’s crowded roads. There’s even $8 billion in federal stimulus money available to help build the proposed Tampa-Orlando-Miami line, where trains would move at least 110 mph and zip travelers from South Florida to Disney World in less than two hours. [...]

Link: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sfl-high-speed-rail-b052509sbmay25,0,6488044.story

“Against All Odds, Florida Rail Authority Rolls On”, News Service of Florida, May 26, 2009

The Florida High Speed Rail Authority last month had one of its most high profile members resign and the rest of its members terms have actually expired. But the authority has kept the wheels on its plan to apply for federal money that can be used to build a proposed Tampa-Orlando-Miami bullet train. [...]

Link: http://www.jaxobserver.com/2009/05/26/rail-authority-rolls-on-despite-vacancy-expired-terms/

“High-speed rail proposal is viewed with concern” by Christine Souza, California Farm Bureau Federation, May 27, 2009

As the state’s High-Speed Rail Authority plans an 800-mile high-speed rail system that will help alleviate congestion on roadways and transport passengers from San Francisco to Los Angeles in a little over two and a half hours, California’s agricultural landscape is likely to change dramatically. [...]

Link: http://www.cfbf.com/agalert/AgAlertStory.cfm?ID=1316&ck=F3F1B7FC5A8779A9E618E1F23A7B7860#top

“High speed rail for America” by Sean Devlin, Examiner.com, May 25, 2009

The CBS Evening News revisited the high speed rail discussion and looked into as whether it was a viable option. This is especially important as the green movement is looking for more environmentally responsible transportation, part of which means alleviating road and air traffic congestion. [...]

Link: http://www.examiner.com/x-6812-Newark-Alternative-Transportation-Examiner~y2009m5d25-High-speed-rail-for-America

“High-speed rail dreams depend on dedicated tracks” by Aubrey Cohen, Seattlepi.com, May 28, 2009

While rail advocates dream of passenger trains blazing through Washington at 200 mph, freight railroad representatives say anything half that fast won’t work on their tracks. ”True” high-speed rail would exceed 150 mph, but the Amtrak Cascades line between Eugene, Ore., and Vancouver, B.C., is more likely to see incremental progress from the current top speed of 79 mph to between 110 and 125 mph (the top potential speed of the current Talgo trains), Cascadia Project rail fellow Ray Chambers said at a forum in downtown Seattle on Thursday. [...]

Link: http://www.seattlepi.com/transportation/406665_trains28.html