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Rail News: High-Speed Rail
7/10/2012
Rail News: High-Speed Rail
APTA report: High-speed rail benefits outweigh costs
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The net benefits of investing in high-speed rail in the United States far exceed the cost, according to a report issued today by the American Public Transportation Association.
Released during a congressional briefing this morning, “Opportunity Cost of Inaction: High-Speed Rail and High Performance Passenger Rail Service” states that HSR systems would net $26.4 billion in benefits over the next 40 years. Factors used to determine the benefits include overall transportation cost mitigation, economic output, tax revenue and emissions savings.
On a regional basis, the cost of not building high-speed rail systems would total $11.7 billion in the Midwest, $8.2 billion in California, $5.5 billion in the Northeast and $1.1 billion in the Pacific Northwest.
As the U.S. population continues to grow, increased pressure will be placed on the nation’s already-crumbling infrastructure. Having complementary high-speed rail corridors would help mitigate the maintenance, replacement and capacity expansion needs of airports, highways and roads, according to APTA.
APTA leaders and railway representatives from eight countries are on Capitol Hill today briefing members of Congress on the high-speed rail industry worldwide. The participants are part of the 8th World Congress on High-Speed Rail, which begins tomorrow in Philadelphia.
Released during a congressional briefing this morning, “Opportunity Cost of Inaction: High-Speed Rail and High Performance Passenger Rail Service” states that HSR systems would net $26.4 billion in benefits over the next 40 years. Factors used to determine the benefits include overall transportation cost mitigation, economic output, tax revenue and emissions savings.
On a regional basis, the cost of not building high-speed rail systems would total $11.7 billion in the Midwest, $8.2 billion in California, $5.5 billion in the Northeast and $1.1 billion in the Pacific Northwest.
As the U.S. population continues to grow, increased pressure will be placed on the nation’s already-crumbling infrastructure. Having complementary high-speed rail corridors would help mitigate the maintenance, replacement and capacity expansion needs of airports, highways and roads, according to APTA.
APTA leaders and railway representatives from eight countries are on Capitol Hill today briefing members of Congress on the high-speed rail industry worldwide. The participants are part of the 8th World Congress on High-Speed Rail, which begins tomorrow in Philadelphia.
