APTA Report Released Supporting High-Speed Rail In US

A new report released by the American Public Transportation Association is advertised as a “business case” for high-speed rail. The release is a compilation of the most recent study conclusions and statistics which highlight the long-term potential of US passenger rail.

One of the major supporters to this potential is Jobs. According to a 2009 APTA report, every $1 billion invested in high-speed rail sustains nearly 24,000 jobs.

Economic Growth is also supported in the report. The US Conference of Mayors recently conducted a study that indicated that, by the year 2035, a Los Angeles high-speed rail line would generate $7.6 billion in accompanying sales, a line through Albany would generate $2.5 billion and one through Chicago would generate $6.1 billion.

Energy Efficiency is highlighted throughout the APTA’s report. The International Union of Railways found that high-speed rail trains get 106 miles per kilowatt-hour of energy. In comparison: airplanes get 13 miles, cars get 24 miles and busses get 34.

A Center for Neighborhood Technology study indicated that the world’s high-speed trains emit anywhere between 0.1 and 0.3 lbs of carbon-dioxide per passenger mile while cars emit more than 0.5 lbs and planes emit 0.6 lbs per passenger mile.

The “business case” report for high-speed rail in the US doesn’t offer any new data but it is a good comparison chart indicating that the US boasts 3% of the total high-speed rail miles, making the US 8th in the world, while China is 1st with over 30% of rail miles.

Short URL: http://ewireinformer.com/?p=2037

Posted by Melissa Wylie on Apr 8 2011. Filed under Business Financial News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.