'Lifestyle Changes' Needed for High-Speed Rail's Success

"'They're saying it works in Europe, but there are problems comparing (California) with Europe,' said Adrian Moore, vice president of research for the Reason Foundation, which opposes the bond measure. 'It's far more densely developed, and people there were already used to riding trains.'

Transportation experts, including many high-speed rail supporters, say that denser land use - as in Europe and Asia - will be necessary for the system to succeed.

'The high-speed rail system could be far more successful if it's connected with plans to build high density around station sites,' said Martin Wachs, director of the transportation, space and technology program at Rand, a Santa Monica think tank.

Daniels said the authority is already studying ways to encourage denser land use around high-speed rail stations. Van Ark said that usually happens naturally, as high-speed rail makes it possible for people to commute longer distances to work, and proximity to a station becomes valuable."