Tex.Pdf

Texas High-Speed Rail: Past, Present, Future

by Hal Cooper, Jr., Ph.D., P.E.

Here are excerpts from Dr. Cooper’s paper, “The Past, Present, and Future Development of the Texas Triangle High Speed Rail Project, and the Reasons Why It Did Not Work in the Past, along with What We Can Do to Make It Work in the Future.” Footnotes and numerous maps and charts have been omitted. Those seeking more information may contact Dr. Cooper at HalCooper@verizon.net. vate-sector efforts, have failed to date, for a variety of reasons. There did not appear to be a significant level of support from the State Government in Texas, and there was substantial opposition from a number of interest groups who would have been adversely impacted, including landowners, airlines, real estate developers, and oil-related interests. There was also a noted lack of support from the conventional financial institutions, because of the high degree of creativity required. The recent rise in the price of oil has made it more attractive to develop high-speed rail in Texas, along with the steadily increasing roadway traffic congestion, along with the deteriorating air service. The greater need for roadway maintenance, along with growing concerns over maintaining compliance with air quality standards and with greenhouse gas emissions impacting climate change, have all acted to create a change in the dynamic favoring high-speed rail. The growing success and expansion of electric high-speed rail systems in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, England, and elsewhere in Europe points to the necessity of similar projects in the United States. China, Japan, and Korea already have high-speed rail systems in place, while Russia and India are developing existing high-speed rail networks. The Amtrak national rail passenger system is showing steadily rising ridership. The recent announcement by Argentina that it is going EIR February 15, 2008

Summary

An analysis has been made of a future high-speed rail network of up to...