"The information before us confirms that the project would be a valuable addition to the passenger rail transportation system."
-Surface Transportation Board, on California HSR
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FRA RULE CHANGE ALLOWS 220 MPH TRAINS IN US
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After decades of highly restrictive rules over train speeds in America, the Federal Railroad Administration voted on Friday to change the outdated rules to allow world class train speeds to operate here in America.
"We commend the FRA for this huge change," said USHSR President Andy Kunz. "Under the leadership of Joseph Szabo, the FRA has made amazing progress in moving the nation into true high speed rail."
The new rules allow high speed trains to operate at speeds up to 220 mph on dedicated track (as in other countries), and up to 125 mph on shared track. Under the old rules, most passenger trains have been restricted to speeds no greater than 79 mph due to crowded conditions on shared aging track with heavy freight trains. Now with a new focus on rail in America and private investment coming, this is all changing.
"We also commend the international cooperation of the UIC (International Union of Railways), and its Director Jean-Pierre Loubinoux in helping America develop our standards based on their decades of work advancing high speed rail across Europe." Jean Pierre Loubinoux has served on USHSR's Advisory Board since the Association's founding.
USHSR members include the two largest high speed rail manufacturers in the world: Alstom and Siemens. Both companies have extensive operations across the United States and welcome the changes to rail standards in America to allow for world class rail transportation. More info
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"The match between billions if not trillions of dollars in private capital in search of yield and America's infrastructure investment needs could become one of the great investment and growth stories of this decade" -Jay Peloski
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SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD: YES TO CAHSR!
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California's high-speed rail project can start rolling without waiting for potentially time-consuming approvals from STB, officials ruled Thursday.
In a victory for the project that's faced repeated political obstacles, the Surface Transportation Board ruled that the California High-Speed Rail Authority can begin construction on its own.
"We need not revisit the determinations on the viability and desirability of the project already made by various federal state and local government interests, all of which have a stake in the matter," the board's majority stated. "The information before us confirms that the project would be a valuable addition to the passenger rail transportation system."
The STB stated that exempting the project from prior approval requirements would "minimize the need for federal regulation and reduce regulatory barriers."
"Overall, the public using passenger rail service will be the beneficiaries of more, and not less, passenger service as a result of the proposed project," concluded the board.
More info
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"High speed rail is coming to America!"
-Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood
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SPAIN OPENS ANOTHER NEW HIGH SPEED RAIL LINE
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Spain continues to expand its new high speed rail system that has rapidly evolved into a network connecting multiple cities and regions, and with the extensive French rail network next door. With more than 3,165 kilometers now in operation, this puts Spain second in the world only to China with the most miles of high speed rail. This now gives 60% of the population of Spain access to high speed rail!
Spain celebrated the launch of the new high speed services between Madrid and Alicante with the official opening of the Albacete - Alicante high-speed line by His Highness Prince Felipe of Asturias, Spanish prime minister Mr Mariano Rajoy and transport minister Mrs. Ana Pastor.
Prince Felipe stressed the importance of infrastructure development to Spain's economy. As the system continues to grow and reach more cities, the entire country is able to operate more efficiently and people and businesses save time and money every day.
Spain has additional lines under construction . More info
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DAN RATHER ON HIGH SPEED RAIL
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| Dan Rather's show on high speed rail was a highlight last year as one of the best TV shows about high speed rail. It analysed this form of transportation objectively and openly, and how this could be successful in America. Watch a segment below.
(Psst, Hey Anderson Cooper, this is how to report on high speed rail without the added negative spin)
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Another great story on HSR and the Business Traveler from CNN...
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"The rest of the world is way ahead of us in advanced transportation"
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MILLENNIAL CROSS COUNTRY TRAIN ADVENTURE
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A project to take readers and viewers along on a journey to discover trains' past, present and future role in American life, as well as train's important economic, urban, and ecological benefits to the nation.
Malcolm Kenton, Outreach Director with our allies at the National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP), will be taking an exciting transcontinental train journey for innovative and civic-minded members of the Millennial generation, organized by the Millennial Trains Project (MTP).
The journey, to take place in mid-August, is being described as a "TED Talks on wheels," bringing together a group of at least 40 young adults who raise funds from friends and family, along with special invited guests who will be both riding the train and speaking with the participants at stops along the way.
The idea for MTP is inspired by the annual Jagriti Yatra on the Indian Railways, a trip that circumnavigates the continent, is sponsored by Dell and Google, and is almost universally recognized by the younger generation of Indians as an enviable opportunity. MTP has already obtained sponsorships from National Geographic Traveler magazine, NPR, the Associated Press, McKinsey & Company, Opportunity Nation, and Start-Up America."It's an interesting project and we support it," said USHSR President Andy Kunz. "Trains are the future and young people support them enthusiastically." Malcolm will produce a short documentary film and an annotated photographic essay of the trip that's sure to include a lot of lively discussion and travel experiences. Stay tuned to USHSR for updates from Malcolm along the way. More info | Make a donation
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"If I cling to the past, the present becomes difficult and the future seems impossible"
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COMEDY CENTRAL DOES NEW YORK CITI BIKE SHARE
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RESEARCH: HSR COULD FUEL REAL ESTATE BOOM
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New high-speed rail lines are credited with sparking a real estate and housing boom, among other economic benefits, in smaller cities in China. Now experts are debating whether rail modernization can have the same effects in the U.S.
Matthew Kahn, co-author of the study, believes the same could apply in California where high-speed rail is planned, more specifically smaller communities becoming connected to "superstar cities", as he calls them, like San Francisco.
Kahn and his co-author Siqi Zheng found bullet trains unintentionally created new suburbs called "sweet spots" about 60 to 470 miles from mega cities. Bullet trains provide big-city benefits despite the distance without "downsides like high housing costs, overcrowding, or air and water pollution," Kahn said.
"There's really no debate about it, high speed rail will benefit America every way you can imagine," said Joseph Shelhorse, USHSR Vice President. "Revitalizing cities, creating new cities, and opening up all sorts of new living and working possibilities for millions of people... that's what high speed rail delivers every day." More info
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TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT GROWING
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High speed rail is the backbone of Transit Oriented Development, and when combined with regional rail, light rail, metro systems, streetcars and trams, a complete and integrated rail network is achieved enabling easy, fast mobility throughout the system.
Compact, mixed-use development around the rail stations enables people to live, work, and play along the system without the need for a car. Together, these save time, money, energy, and lives. More info
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FRA: 150 RAIL PROJECTS MOVING FORWARD
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The Federal Railroad Administration, along with its 33 state partners and the District of Columbia, is laying the foundation for a 21st century passenger rail network. With $10.1 billion in federal funding available through the High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Program, they are moving forward with 150 planning and construction projects.
To date, 50 construction projects in 19 states and the District of Columbia worth more than $3.2 billion are either complete, under construction, or set to begin construction within 6 months. The new state-of-the-art high speed rail system in California is part of this - set to begin construction this summer on the first phase in the Central Valley after years of planning, design, and engineering. Following phases will complete the direct connection between Los Angeles and San Francisco, expected to become one of the busiest high speed rail lines in America, and the world. More information
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"Dollars spent that get Americans out of cars will ease traffic, save money, reduce pollution, slow global warming, and make us less vulnerable to volatile oil oligarchs." -Bloomberg
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JOIN USHSR TODAY!
USHSR membership puts you at the forefront of a new revolution in 21st century, sustainable transportation in America. Be out in front of the trends and play a leading role in America's next industrial revolution, and real estate boom! Join today
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"Thanks to hard work by the folks here at DOT and by our partners--like those in the
US High Speed Rail Association--the future of passenger rail in America has never been brighter." -Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood
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"There's no reason why Europe or China should have the fastest trains!"
-President Obama
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Our mission is to build widespread public, business, and political support for a major investment in a national high speed rail network.
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