Three Reasons Why High-Speed Rail Has Not Caught On in U.S.

If you guessed cheap gas, love of automobiles, or preference for air travel, you are correct, but those fall under one reason, "lack of demand." Two additional reasons are offered in this article for the construction industry.

3 minute read

July 25, 2016, 6:00 AM PDT

By Irvin Dawid


Us High Speed Rail System

Alfred Twu / FirstCultural

Regulatory hurdles, eminent domain/land acquisition obstacles, and lack of demand are the main reasons why the United States is one of the few industrialized nations lacking high-speed rail, according to Kim Slowey, construction industry writer for Construction Drive. 

  • Regulatory hurdles

For starters, Harnish said the country's Buy America laws  remnants of the $50 billion General Motors Great Recession bailout  are preventing high-speed rail cars from being imported into the country, as there are currently no manufacturers producing them in the U.S.

In fact, this was the key regulation cited by China Railway International (CRI) last month for dropping interest in the Southern California-to-Las Vegas venture, XpressWest (previously called DesertXpress). So much for the $100 million they had planned to invest in California's 'second' high-speed rail line.

But even if the Buy America rules were not in place, cars made in other countries don't meet American safety standards as set by the Federal Railroad Administration. Rail cars made in the U.S. are designed to protect automobile passengers in case of a crash rather than the rail passengers, the opposite of the way cars are designed in many other countries, said Richard Harnish, executive director of the Midwest High-Speed Rail Association, an advocacy group based in Chicago.

"Our regulations create a train that is really heavy, so it's much more likely to get into an accident," he said...

The weight of SEPTA's new Silverliner V cars may have contributed to the reason why 120 were taken out of service.

Stowey cites land acquisition problems that delayed construction of the nation's only high-speed rail that finally broke ground in January of last year. The bond measure that authorized the now-$63 billion project passed in November 2008.

The [California High-Speed Rail Authority's] inability to secure enough property for contractor Tutor Perini to begin work in 2013 resulted in nearly $64 million in change orders [including $50 million in delay charges] to pay for the mobilization and remobilization of equipment.

Eminent domain is an issue in Texas as well, inspiring the group, Texans Against High-Speed Rail.

  • Is demand too low?

Preference of Americans for driving and flying fall into this category, and cheap gas only makes driving more attractive, as we've seen on Labor Day, Memorial Day and Independence Day holiday weekends. And last year broke the record set in 2007 for greatest vehicle-miles-traveled.

Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration demand models "assume 'a very steep growth curve for future driving,'" states Harnish, although he questions it.

Harnish said the successful completion of at least one project is critical to the future of high-speed rail in the U.S. "That's why California is so important," he said. "Get that thing running trains."

2029 seems like too long to wait. Texas Central Railway should be operational between Dallas and Houston by 2021. Higher-speed, diesel-powered trains traveling at speeds up to 125 mph or 110 mph, respectively, should be in operation next year in Florida between West Palm Beach and Miami and in Illinois and Missouri between Chicago and St. Louis.

Hat tip to Len Conly

Thursday, July 14, 2016 in Construction Dive

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Bird's eye view of manufactured home park.

Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing

Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?

March 25, 2025 - Shelterforce

U-Haul truck on road with blurred grassy roadside in background.

Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?

Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?

March 27, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Rusty abandoned oil well and equipment with prickly pear cactus next to it in West Texas.

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.

March 31, 2025 - Pennsylvania State University

Downtown Los Angeles skyline viewed from a distance with freeway and trees in foreground.

Updating LA’s Tree Rules Could Bring More Shade to Underserved Neighborhoods

A new USC study finds that relaxing Los Angeles’ outdated tree planting guidelines could significantly expand urban tree canopy and reduce shade disparities in lower-income neighborhoods, though infrastructure investments are also needed.

6 hours ago - USC Dornsife

Aerial view of Claifornia aqueduct with green orchard on one side.

California's Canal Solar Projects Aim to Conserve Resources and Expand Clean Energy

California’s Project Nexus has begun generating electricity from solar panels installed over irrigation canals, with researchers and state agencies exploring statewide expansion to conserve water and boost clean energy production.

7 hours ago - Turlock Journal

Close-up of older woman's hands resting on white modern heating radiator mounted on wall indoors.

HHS Staff Cuts Gut Energy Assistance Program

The full staff of a federal program that distributes heating and cooling assistance for low-income families was laid off, jeopardizing the program’s operations.

April 3 - The New York Times