High Speed Rail Gradually Develops, But Critics Remain Vocal

As high speed rail projects begin to take shape across America, commuters are anticipating eased travel but skeptics remain critical.

1 minute read

August 22, 2010, 5:00 AM PDT

By Nate Berg


"Despite these promises from the government, high-speed rail comes with its share of opponents, who say it is too expensive and won't save energy. Some even question if it will ever be built.

'Even in a strong economy, building high-speed rail makes little sense, offering minimal reductions in travel times at exorbitant costs,' said Ronald Utt, who is the Herbert and Joyce Morgan senior research fellow for the Thomas A. Roe Institute for Economic Policy Studies at the Heritage Foundation."

But many say the system will be a source of new industrial jobs in the U.S., and that the investment will pay off over the long term.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010 in CNN

courses user

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges. Corey D, Transportation Planner

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges.

Corey D, Transportation Planner

Ready to give your planning career a boost?

Broken, uneven sidewalk being damaged by large tree roots in Los Angeles, California.

The City of Broken Sidewalks

Can Los Angeles fix 4,000 miles of broken sidewalks before the city hosts the 2028 Olympic Games?

December 5, 2024 - Donald Shoup

Large store in mall with yellow and black STORE CLOSING sign on front.

Shifts in Shopping: Transforming Malls Into Parks

Maybe zombie malls still have a second life — one with a little greenery.

December 8, 2024 - Ruscena Wiederholt

Multifamily housing under construction.

To Build More Housing, Cities Must Be Smarter in How They Use Land

How strategic land use policy decisions can alleviate the housing crisis and limit unsustainable sprawl.

December 11, 2024 - John D. Landis

View of brick buildings and One World Trade Center building and New York City skyline.

NYC’s Proposed Zoning Reforms Lag Behind Other Cities

Cities like Austin and Minneapolis are making major changes to their zoning codes to encourage housing construction, but New York’s proposed reforms are far less ambitious.

6 seconds ago - The City

Heavy traffic on freeway in San Diego, California.

Why Traffic Never Gets Better

Despite abundant research showing that roadway expansions provide limited congestion relief and increase long-term traffic problems, they still occur due to wishful thinking: advocates claim that “this” project is different.

December 12 - Greater Greater Washington

Trolley bus in San Francisco, California.

San Francisco Tops ‘Urban Mobility Readiness’ List

An annual analysis of global cities assesses public transit, technology, and sustainability.

December 12 - Bloomberg CityLab

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.