Environmental Concerns, Standards, and Transportation Design

Technology improvements are to blame for the remarkable revolution that has taken place in the world. Of course, the transportation sector hasn’t lagged behind, and the high-speed rail was one of the outcomes.

Surprisingly, high-speed rail has been in the transportation spotlight in the United States for decades due to both positive and bad difficulties. Nonetheless, due to the high population density, the US transportation infrastructure performs badly when compared to Asia and Europe. However, despite the environmentally benign nature of railway infrastructure, fewer people choose to use it than do other, equally eco-friendly forms of transportation (United States Congress, 2009.). Another significant issue facing the high-speed rail in the United States is the issue of property rights. That implies that in the U.S, it is difficult to secure cheap land for construction of the high-speed rail tracks, unlike in Asia and Europe.

In addition, the United States has a well-developed traditional automobile culture that hinders the development of high-speed rail in the region. Americans invest billions of dollars in obtaining cars, which has led to an increasing level of car ownership. On the contrary, Europe and Asia have a lower car ownership rate which makes the high-speed rail a perfect alternative.

Another vital issue of high-speed rail in the United States is its affordability in financial terms. A typical United States citizen finds the high-speed rail to be a pointless alternative to motoring and flying which are cheaper compared to high-speed rail travel.

Conclusion

It is apparent that the high-speed rail is efficient, affordable, and environmentally friendly mode of transport. However, to match Europe’s and Asia’s high-speed rail system, the United States should incorporate the use of breakthrough technologies such as the construction of rail tunnels in places where the land is expensive. The government should also come up with policies aiming to lower the use of automobiles to allow more people to use the high-speed rail.

Reference

United States Congress House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. (2009). High-Speed Rail in the United States. Washington: U.S. G.P.O.