AASHTO Releases A National Rail Vision

"The board recommendations call for a national rail policy to cover both passenger and freight rail and supports the creation of an intercity passenger rail account, funded at $35 billion over six years from a diversified portfolio of new revenue sources."

Report:
"A National Rail Policy should address a national intercity passenger rail system which includes:
* High-Speed Rail Corridors (110 mph and above)-Corridors under 500 miles with travel demand, population density and congestion on competing modes warrant high-speed rail service.

* Regional Corridors (79–110 mph)-Corridors under 500 miles, with frequent, reliable service competing successfully with auto and air travel.

* Long-Distance Service-Corridors greater than 500 miles in order to provide basic connectivity and a balanced national transportation system.

Giving the nation the intercity passenger rail service it needs will require a strong and continuous collaboration between the federal government, the states, the freight railroads, Amtrak, and all of the interested parties who support this objective."

Thanks to TRB Transportation Research E-Newsletter