The New York Times editors are wondering if high speed rail is a practical consideration for the U.S considering recent political developments where it has become popular to reject federal rail funds, so they asked six experts to present their views.
The Times notes several recent events that cause one to rethink whether high speed rail will indeed develop, President Obama's initial $8 billion investment notwithstanding.
Gubernatorial elections could spell doom for HSR in four states similar to how New Jersey's new Republican governor rejected a $3 billion federal rail investment . Amtrak produces a $117 billion, far-reaching plan for high speed rail in the Northeast with no identified funding. And let's not forget how some cities appear to be engaged in endless litigation to prevent elevated tracks from going through their communities, even though the tracks already exist at-grade.
In order, read six very different perspectives:
1. "A Measured Approach Can Work" by
Robert Puentes, Brookings Institution
2. "Habits Are Hard to Change" by
Jan K. Brueckner, economist, U.C. Irvine
3. "Fast Trains Are Coming" by
Joseph P. Schwieterman, professor, DePaul University
4. "Infeasible and Not Cost Effective" by
Sam Staley, Reason Foundation
5. "An Investment We Have to Make" by Robert D. Yaro, Regional Plan Association
6. "Improve Existing Railroads" by
Keith T. Poole, political scientist, University of Georgia.
Thanks to David Underwood
FULL STORY: Will We Ever Have High-Speed Trains?
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Google Maps Introduces New Transit, EV Features
It will now be easier to find electric car charging stations and transit options.
Ohio Lawmakers Propose Incentivizing Housing Production
A proposed bill would take a carrot approach to stimulating housing production through a grant program that would reward cities that implement pro-housing policies.
Chicago Awarded $2M Reconnecting Communities Grant
Community advocates say the city’s plan may not do enough to reverse the negative impacts of a major expressway.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Town of Zionsville
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.