Todd Litman of VTPI publishes an initial response to the 2005 Rail Disasters report, and finds the rating system flawed.
This paper evaluates criticism of rail transit, including the recent report, "Rail Disasters 2005: The Impact Of Rail Transit On Transit Ridership." It examines claims that rail transit is ineffective at increasing public transit ridership and improving transportation system performance, that rail transit investments are not cost effective, and that transit is an outdated form of transportation. It finds that critics often misrepresent issues and use biased and inaccurate analysis.
[Editor's note: The link below is to a 500K PDF document.]
Thanks to Todd Alexander Litman
FULL STORY: Evaluating Rail Transit Criticism

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Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
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