Building more high-speed passenger rail in the United States could have significant economic and environmental impacts, creating jobs and reducing carbon emissions.
A new report from the Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI) calculates the potential economic and environmental benefits of expanding high-speed rail (HSR) in the United States.
According to an article in Mass Transit, these benefits include “job growth and increased economic activity, creation of an entirely new domestic manufacturing base, station area development and improved regional connectivity and reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and better land use.”
For example, “The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) estimates high-speed rail has generated an estimated 74,000 to 80,000 jobs per year, $5.6 billion to $6 billion in labor income and $15 billion to $16 billion in economic output between 2006 and 2022.” The rail manufacturing industry also supports roughly 90,000 U.S. jobs as of 2015.
Expanding HSR could also connect megaregions, create more opportunities for housing and employment, and reduce vehicle miles driven and greenhouse gas emissions. “One study found it would cost an estimated $122-199 billion to provide the equivalent highway and airport capacity that the San Francisco to Los Angeles high-speed rail network would provide.”
FULL STORY: MTI report outlines economic and environmental benefits of high-speed rail in U.S.
Brightline Founder Predicts a Passenger Rail Resurgence
The HSR operator wants to expand to more US regions.
California HSR Could Be Up and Running by 2033
A newly restructured leadership promises to speed up the arduous construction process and start running trains in five to eight years.
Is China’s High-Speed Rail Boom Unsustainable?
The country is building tens of thousands of miles of rail service that is expensive to maintain and, in some cases, redundant.
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
North Texas Transit Leaders Tout Benefits of TOD for Growing Region
At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.
Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.
Private Donations Propel Early Restoration of Palisades Playground
Los Angeles has secured over $1.3 million in private funding to restore the Pacific Palisades playground months ahead of schedule, creating a modern, accessible space that supports community healing after recent wildfires.
From Blight to Benefit: Early Results From California’s Equitable Cleanup Program
The Equitable Community Revitalization Grant (ECRG) program is reshaping brownfield redevelopment by prioritizing projects in low-income and environmental justice communities, emphasizing equity, transparency, and community benefits.
Planting Relief: Tackling Las Vegas Heat One Tree at a Time
Nevada Plants, a Las Vegas-based nonprofit, is combating the city’s extreme urban heat by giving away trees to residents in underserved neighborhoods, promoting shade, sustainability, and community health.
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.
Ascent Environmental
Borough of Carlisle
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service