High-Speed Trains Surge Globally, But the U.S. Lags Behind
For half a century, high-speed trains have demonstrated their value worldwide, not only by cutting travel times but also by boosting economies, generating jobs, and connecting communities. Leading this movement are China, Japan, and Europe. Yet, the United States, despite its wealth and urban population of over 300 million, lacks a comparable high-speed rail network.
Japan pioneered high-speed rail with its Shinkansen in 1964, but it was France's TGV in the 1980s that truly ignited a global trend. However, this trend has largely skipped the U.S., where people still depend heavily on crowded highways and an often unreliable air travel system.
Since 2008, China has constructed about 26,000 miles of high-speed rail and aims to reach 43,000 miles by 2035. In contrast, the U.S. has only 375 miles of track capable of supporting speeds over 100 mph. Many Americans remain unfamiliar with high-speed rail, clinging to cars and planes as their primary modes of long-distance travel.
The decline of passenger rail in the U.S. began in the 1950s, as cars and planes took over. By the early 1970s, many iconic railroads were bankrupt, leaving Amtrak to manage the remaining passenger services. While freight rail has thrived, passenger rail has been neglected by policymakers, partly due to the influence of the airline, oil, and automotive industries.
Recently, however, environmental concerns and traffic congestion have weakened these industries' grip. President Joe Biden's $1.2 trillion infrastructure plan includes $170 billion for rail improvements, with some funds earmarked for Amtrak's Northeast Corridor and plans to reintroduce passenger trains to more cities.
Private initiatives like Brightline in Florida are also gaining traction, with a $10 billion high-speed rail link between Los Angeles and Las Vegas set for 2027. Other projects in California, Texas, and the Cascadia corridor are also in the works, signaling a potential rail renaissance in the U.S.
Scott Sherin of Alstom's U.S. division notes that while high-speed rail isn't a cure-all, it offers significant benefits such as job creation and economic growth. The new Avelia Liberty trains, set to replace Amtrak's Acela on the Northeast Corridor, are a step in this direction, featuring advanced technology that allows faster travel through curves.
Brightline's upcoming line between California and Nevada is expected to significantly cut travel times and boost regional economies. Meanwhile, California's High-Speed Rail project, though fraught with challenges, aims to connect major cities and reduce pollution and congestion.
The U.S. could benefit from focusing on city pairs that are too close for air travel but too far for driving, a model successful in Europe and Asia. While some remain skeptical about the feasibility of a nationwide high-speed network, the potential environmental and economic advantages are clear.
Globally, rail transport is poised to capitalize on the rise of renewable energy, with most passenger rail already electric-powered. However, the U.S. lags in electrification compared to other regions. While air travel will likely remain dominant for long distances, high-speed rail could offer a compelling alternative for shorter routes.