High-Speed Rail
China's High-Speed Crash Leads to Legitimacy Crisis
China has had its share of high-profile failures (and successes) of late, but a recent high-speed rail crash has shaken the people's confidence more than past mishaps.
High-Speed Rail Will Impact America's Freight Trains
America's very successful freight train system will have to make some compromises to accommodate high-speed rail, but those needn't be the end of the world.
How High-Speed Rail is Dying in America While Thriving in Spain
In the late 1980s, both Texas and Spain proposed high-speed rail systems: Texas walked away from the idea, while Spain leapt in a little too exuberantly.
High-Speed Rail Can Cover Its Operating Costs
While paying for its hefty infrastructure costs may be ambitious, many high-speed rail systems cover their operating costs and even turn a small operating profit.
California’s High-Speed Rail Efforts Have to Start Somewhere
German high-speed trains started in the provinces, too, but now have a fast, efficient and popular system crisscrossing the nation.
Plugging High-Speed Rail Into Germany's Power Grid
Using rail lines for the energy grid may help a suddenly nuclear-shy Germany transition to wider use of renewable sources.
Terrorist Attacks on Railroads Would Be Difficult
Past experiences suggest that terrorists who want to derail a train are facing a much more complex task than just leaving a penny on the rail.
High-Speed Rail's Weak Link Is Security
Keeping trains safe and keeping trains moving has been a balancing act in Germany, and so far all the weights are on the side of no waiting.
Start Slow With Bullet Trains
Will investing in speed and electrification create the "sparks effect" needed to convince Americans to ride high-speed rail?
High-Speed Heaven or Boondoggle Express
The Obama administration has come through with some serious money for high-speed rail, but arguments that this might be money ill spent don’t spring solely from political nay-saying.
Taking High-Speed Trains into the Future
For the U.S. to have world-class high-speed trains, the government will have to subsidize them. The investment would be small compared to the billions lavished on highways and airports.
Stimulus Accelerates High-Speed Rail Hopes
The United States has lagged behind other industrialized countries in providing high-speed rail, but the stimulus package includes a big boost advocates have been praying for.
Danish Professors Offers Cure for the Common Boondoggle
A Danish professor promotes a cure for billion-dollar cost overruns in government megaprojects: Use past boondoggles as a baseline.
Dukakis: Put Rail on Election Track
Former presidential candidate Michael Dukakis is baffled that a missing piece of America's transportation puzzle — passenger rail — isn't on the radar this election year.