I took two things away from it on a quick first read:
Ten corridors, which match up with what the Federal Railroad Administration has had on its map for several years (map here: http://www.fra.dot.gov/Downloads/RRdev/hsrmap.pdf . Note the lack of Southern California-Las Vegas corridor claimed by rail opponents.
Three service levels, which are new to me: HSR -- Express (what the world would agree is high-speed rail), top speeds at least 150 mph on dedicated right-of-way, frequent service; HSR -- Regional, top speeds 110-150 mph, "relatively frequent service" on grade-separated right-of-way shared with other trains; and Emerging HSR, top speeds 90-110 mph, some grade crossings on shared rights-of-way "intented to develop the passenger rail market."
Well, I'll give the Administration credit for setting forth where they believe the "$8B for HSR" under ARRA '09 should be allocated. Unfortunately, as any of us who follow railroad insustry affairs can attest, such an appropriation will not go very far.
Understandably, it must be allocated nationwide.
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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