U.S. high-speed rail ‘myths’ debunked

Whew, it’s been a rough week.  Thank you to all my friends who have passed on such kind words about Bear.  I had to take a little time off to reflect.  Ali says I’ve been siting Shiva for Bear.  All in all, it’s just tough.

But now I’m slowly getting back to writing.  For the Urban Brain Blog I just happened upon this article which I thought was a good one to share.  It basically takes a whole bunch of comments made by CNN readers who want to cut down the idea of high speed rail plans for the United States and allows a group of experts debunk and respond back to the questions.

It’s a great article and of course I’m including on the Facebook wall for the Denver Mountain Train Advocacy Group.

But really, people still don’t believe we need to develop rail systems.  How can we sit around and watch gas prices close in on $5.00 per gallon, see the traffic congestion along I-70, and hear about the environmental impacts of automobiles and still not look to develop other solutions.

I know, I know…. there are more environmentally friendly cars out there.  That is so true but at the rate traffic is growing those cars aren’t going to help much if they reduce emissions by 30% and spend 50% more time running their engines because they are stuck in traffic.  That’s like saying.. instead of pouring a gallon of poison in your lake over 5 minutes I’m going to slowly pour a gallon and a half over 20 minutes… doesn’t that feel better.

Okay, it’s a metaphor and a poor one at that.  But I’m emotionally drained and just getting used to picking up my pen again.

Sometimes I just feel like I’m watching a group of people sit around and debate whether the world is flat or not.  Grrrrrr.

Maybe some are just so intimidated because the U.S. is SO FAR BEHIND so many other countries that have implemented high speed train systems.  Because they have had them longer they have higher usage rates, reliable schedules, and more coverage.  I was so amazed at my rail experience in Japan going from Tokyo to Kyoto…. I just kicked back with my bento box and marveled at the ease and pleasure of their travel network.

Well, it is daunting to take this on when we are so far behind.  But relax, go watch the Biggest Loser, and realize that the farther behind you are the greater the advances can be.

Seriously… the U.S. can look at every other country and benchmark (Thanks Xerox) the best ideas and build our transit high speed rail system thoughtfully and with the advantages of 20/20 hindsight.

Or we can insist the world is flat and we can all start planning to drive 8 hours to the mountains to ski 4.  Pbbbbbtttttt!

Here is the article.. U.S. high-speed rail ‘myths’ debunked.