Fast Trains

One of the more interesting things to come out of Obama's proposed 2012 budget is the request for $53 billion for research, development, and implementation of an interstate fast train system. Fast (> 150 mph) trains have been a staple of Europe and Japan for decades. China has also gotten into the fast train game, having recently inaugurated what is maybe the fastest train in the world. The demand for rapid train access from one city to another has increased over the years, owing to many factors. One is the reduced pollution of a train relative to an equivalent number of cars. Another is the noticeable reduction in gridlock in areas where fast train service has been implemented. A third is the relative ease and luxury associated with being able to let the train do the moving while the passengers concentrate on other tasks (for example, I'm typing this post on the DART light rail.)

Unfortunately, nothing like the intercity train system so prevalent in Europe exists in the US. I firmly blame Dwight Eisenhower. The national interstate highway system was his baby, and it helped cement the status of the car as king of getting from a to b. Little could he have known just how big of an impact the auto would have on the country and the environment. (I guess I can forgive him a little bit, then.) Now, almost fifty years on, we find ourselves increasingly spending more and more time suck in traffic. The car-as-birthright paradigm has unfortunately led us to urban sprawl, "white flight", and excessive resource usage. Fast train service between cities, or even between central suburban locations and cities, could go a long way toward easing these problems.

Not only do I like the idea of taking the train to work and school, I like the idea of helping to design and build it. There are big aerodynamic problems to contend with. Segmented trains have complex engineering challenges. Comfortable seating, safety, power, efficiency, and good looks are all important considerations. I wonder if I could do grad work on this.

Anyway, that's my two cents. Fast trains are good. Inter- and intra-city trains are good. Mass transit that goes where people want to go is good. All of these things will be designed and built by teams of engineers. Maybe I'll get to participate too.

Cheers,

-- Zach