Those of use who have traveled in Europe and Asia, realize how essential that rail travel is to the economy and travel needs of citizens. A top priority for the U.S. needs to be a rebuilding of our rail system, including plans for high speed systems between major cities with speeds of at least 170 mph.
Rail is surely cheaper, cleaner, and more efficient than highways and roads.
And this year Congress must reauthorize the Federal Transportation Bill, which only occurs every six years. Now is the time to contact your representatives and tell them to increase funding for public transportation.
Even better, reduce the demand for commuting to and from work by building efficient multi-use communities and enabling people to walk and bike to work instead.
I would prefer to travel by rail vs. highway any day!!! We must be smart about it as well though. As Dr. Kardoff stated, population and demand must be taken into consideration. The rail systems must be placed where they are not only accessable, but will be profitable as well. People must get a new 'mind-set' for train travel too. Electric cars traveling next to full trains would be a dream come true!!!
Electrification of the rail system, for both cargo and passengers, has one of the highest payoffs in terms of economic activity improvements, reductions in oil usage, improved highway safety, and reduced global warming emissions.
This should be a top national priority -- all other countries with major rail systems are electrifying their rail. Our business structure inhibits this happening in the US. Time to change the game because this is too important.
It would take away a lot of jobs in the trucking industry. Can't they make greener trucks and maybe ramp up the railway industry. Move people with trains! Get them off the highway!
Our communities are very spread out. Other than between key cities rail
transportation lacks enough consumer demand. In FL the goveernor and
State Legislature have held up direct linkages between Orlando and Tampa/St. Pete.,
Orlando and W.Palm Beach/Miami. W. Palm Beach & St. Petersburg, Orlando
and Jacksonville, just to cite a few where there is ample population concentrations
and clear demand. Also the public has voted more for highways than RRs.
There is no reason a national rail system cannot be built along side the Interstate Highway System! The grading is already done. All you have to do is set up the roadbed and begin laying some track!
Are you sure about this? a good electric car infrastructure would also cut emissions, with the bonus of not forcing people to change their behavior. Plus building all those rails would be plenty pollutant: where's the business plan to show it would work?
George Harbin
Those of use who have traveled in Europe and Asia, realize how essential that rail travel is to the economy and travel needs of citizens. A top priority for the U.S. needs to be a rebuilding of our rail system, including plans for high speed systems between major cities with speeds of at least 170 mph.
NoahB
I am as green as anyone, but has anyone ever looked at the statistics for the mpg for trains? Carpooling in efficient cars is almost a better idea.
Jim Welke
Rail is surely cheaper, cleaner, and more efficient than highways and roads.
And this year Congress must reauthorize the Federal Transportation Bill, which only occurs every six years. Now is the time to contact your representatives and tell them to increase funding for public transportation.
More info: http://cyclopsvue.blogspot.com/2009/03/lets-upgrade-our-20th-century.html
Andre Terrisse
Even better, reduce the demand for commuting to and from work by building efficient multi-use communities and enabling people to walk and bike to work instead.
Elsbeth Shelton
I would prefer to travel by rail vs. highway any day!!! We must be smart about it as well though. As Dr. Kardoff stated, population and demand must be taken into consideration. The rail systems must be placed where they are not only accessable, but will be profitable as well. People must get a new 'mind-set' for train travel too. Electric cars traveling next to full trains would be a dream come true!!!
siegead
Electrification of the rail system, for both cargo and passengers, has one of the highest payoffs in terms of economic activity improvements, reductions in oil usage, improved highway safety, and reduced global warming emissions.
This should be a top national priority -- all other countries with major rail systems are electrifying their rail. Our business structure inhibits this happening in the US. Time to change the game because this is too important.
Roberta
It would take away a lot of jobs in the trucking industry. Can't they make greener trucks and maybe ramp up the railway industry. Move people with trains! Get them off the highway!
Dr, Alan D. Kardoff
Our communities are very spread out. Other than between key cities rail
transportation lacks enough consumer demand. In FL the goveernor and
State Legislature have held up direct linkages between Orlando and Tampa/St. Pete.,
Orlando and W.Palm Beach/Miami. W. Palm Beach & St. Petersburg, Orlando
and Jacksonville, just to cite a few where there is ample population concentrations
and clear demand. Also the public has voted more for highways than RRs.
John Hoffman
There is no reason a national rail system cannot be built along side the Interstate Highway System! The grading is already done. All you have to do is set up the roadbed and begin laying some track!
hans.rinderknecht
Are you sure about this? a good electric car infrastructure would also cut emissions, with the bonus of not forcing people to change their behavior. Plus building all those rails would be plenty pollutant: where's the business plan to show it would work?