Title: Modernization of Rail Transportation Technology and Infrastructure in the United States
1Modernization of Rail Transportation Technology
and Infrastructure in the United States
- Kyle Pozan pozan.kyle_at_gmail.com
2Overview
- A brief history of transportation in the United
States. - A case for railroad regulation reform and the
implementation of high-speed rail. - Current U.S. rail network.
- Future U.S. Rail Plans
- Potential Barriers to the Successful Development
of a High-Speed Rail Network - Conventional high-speed rail.
- Maglev rail transportation.
3History of Transportation in the United States
- The railroad revolutionized transportation in the
United States.
- Land grants and government subsidies allowed for
the rapid expansion of rail transport in the U.S. - 2,000 miles of track were laid by 1840 30,000
miles of track by the Civil War 70,000 miles of
track were laid in the 1880s alone.
4- By 1910, rail travel accounted for 95 of all
intercity transportation. - In the 1920s, trains carried 1.2 billion
passengers annually. - However, by the early 1930s, automobile travel
had begun to make inroads in the rail passenger
market. - Today, freight trains dominate the U.S. rail
system.
5The Birth of the Automobile
- At the turn of the 20th century, the automobile
was poised to change the face of transportation
in the United States. - By 1910, over 200 automobile manufacturers were
incorporated in the United States. - Aided by the Interstate Highway System under the
Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956, the automobile
lead to mobility on a scale formerly unknown,
playing a major role in urban sprawl.
6The Rise of the Airline Industry
- Like the Interstate Highway System, the airline
industry has shrunk the vast distance that
separates the Eastern and Western borders of the
United States. - The The Civil Aeronautics Act of 1938 created the
Civil Aeronautics Board, an organization
authorized to oversee the airline industry. - Airline transportation took off when Congress
deregulated the airline industry in 1978.
7Current Methods of Transit and Their Respective
Issues
- Currently, the three principal methods of
transportation in the United States are
inextricably tied to petroleum.
8The U.S. Rail Network
- Long-distance rail travel is not seen by many as
a viable form of transportation in the United
States. - While there are over 75 airlines in the U.S.,
only one major passenger rail company, Amtrak, is
currently in operation. - Amtrak is federally owned.
- Private investment in railroads is almost
nonexistent.
9Amtrak
- The National Railroad Passenger Corporation,
d/b/a Amtrak, is a government-owned intercity
passenger rail service. - Amtrak service includes over 500 destinations.
10- Amtrak is considered to be one of the most
energy-efficient forms of transportation. - There is ample room for improvement, however.
- Criticisms of Amtrak
- Seen as a bailout for corporate rail interests
and union rail workers. - Criticized it as a waste of precious government
funds. - Not a viable form of mass transportation.
11- The Acela has been a success, serving over 8,000
riders per day. - The Acela, however, operates at an average speed
of 70 mph and is subject to numerous federal
regulations that hamper its expansion. - Its route is limited to the Northeastern
Corridor.
12- Many criticism, however, are based on comparisons
with European and Asian rail service. - A majority of passenger trains in the U.S. have a
maximum operating speed of 79 mph., with the
Acela being a notable exception. - U.S. trains are not as energy efficient as their
European and Asian counterparts.
13High-Speed Rail Projects
- In January, President Obama announced an 8
billion award to states for the development of 13
new, large-scale high-speed rail corridors.1 - It is the largest investment in infrastructure
since the Interstate Highway System was created
under Eisenhower. - The plan also includes 1 billion annual
allotment in the federal budget. - Allocations to continue annually for 5 years.
1 White House Press Release (Jan. 28, 2010).
14Proposed High-Speed Corridors
15Not Up To European Standards
- The two largest projects will see maximum speeds
of 110 mph.2 - High-speed trains in Europe and Asia travel at an
average speed of 120 mph and can exceed 215 mph. - Planning studies for additional service
enhancements are included in the budget. - A majority of the budget will be spent on
improvements rather than new construction.3 - Station renovations.
- Bridge expansions.
- Overhaul of signal systems.
2 Id. 3 Id.
16- Funds will not be spent on dedicated tracks that
would require a separate right of way. - This would be required for true high-speed rail.
- Will likely be subject to stringent federal
regulations.
17Japan Case Study
- Benefits of high-speed rail are obvious in Japan.
- By 1994, the high-speed line from Tokyo to Osaka
accounted for 80 of the travel between the two
cities.4 - By car, they journey is 7 hours.
- The same trip is only 3 hours via high-speed
rail.
4 Hiroshi Okada, Features and Economic and Social
Effects of the Shinkansen. Japan Railway
Transport Review (1994).
18- Time saved from switching from a conventional to
high-speed rail network is approximated at 400
million hours. - The value of the time saved is 6 billion (U.S.)5
- The high-speed rail network is credited with
rejuvenating rural towns. - Privatization saved Japans high-speed rail
network from bankruptcy.6
5 Id. 6 Id.
19Overly Dependent
- In 2009, the U.S. trade deficit was 380
billion.7 - More than half of the deficit, 204 billion, is
oil related. - Automotive imports accounted for 79 billion.
- A consistent trade deficit weakens the economy.
7 U.S. Census Bureau
20High-Speed Rail Technology
- Two Approaches
- Traditional High-Speed Rail Technology
- Maglev Technology
21Conventional High-Speed Rail Technology
- Standard gauge track.
- No at-grade crossings.
- Trains either travel above (via bridges) or below
(via tunnels) automobile traffic. - Implementation of a traditional high-speed rail
network would require dedicated rail lines.
22- Bridges and tunnels would be constructed.
- Dedicated rail lines and at-grade requirements
would therefore result in an infrastructure
overhaul.
23- One major benefit of conventional high-speed rail
is articulated train cars.
- Articulated train cars share wheels and trucks.
- They are, more or less, permanently attached.
- Articulated cars provide for smoother rides, less
vibration and the design reduces the likelihood
of jackknifing. - Less wheels and trucks means less frequent
maintenance. - Articulated cars allow for the train to tilt.
24Magnetic Levitation Trains
- Conventional high-speed rail utilizes standard
gauge rail, diesel engines and overhead
electrified wires to propel trains. - Magnetic levitation, or Maglev, trains is a
system that uses magnetic energy to suspend and
propel trains. - No engine is required to pull cars down the
track. - No fossil fuels are used.
25- The magnetized coil running along the track,
called a guideway, repels the large magnets on
the train's undercarriage. - This allows the train to levitate.
- Wheels are used at slower speeds when the
magnetic force is not strong enough to suspend
the train.
26- There is no friction, allowing for an incredibly
smooth ride at unprecedented speeds. - Magnetic energy used to propel the train can be
recaptured when the train slows down.
27- Tokyo's electric trains get 6,600 miles to the
gallon.8 - Constructing a high-speed rail system would
result in 29 million fewer car trips and 500,000
fewer plane flights each year.9 - Results in an annual reduction of 6 billion
pounds of carbon dioxide emissions. - A national high speed rail system will significant
ly reduce our dependence on cars and oil. - It would significantly reduce carbon emissions.
- The electrical portion of the system can be
powered by renewable energy.
Thank you!
8 USA Today (Mar. 4, 2008). 9 Center for Clean
Air Policy (2006).