A Better Way to Travel

A

Thanksgiving is a holiday that encourages us to reflect on the aspects of our lives for which we are grateful. It is also a time when many people travel, highlighting a significant problem in the United States that the government has been unwilling to address. The Interstate System, a network of freeways built under the supervision of Dwight Eisenhower, and the proliferation of airports in cities across the country have led to unintended consequences and a heavy reliance on cars and planes. As a result, building a dependable and efficient intercity high-speed rail (HSR) has become an urgent necessity. However, Washington's lack of action on the issue is largely due to misconceptions and exaggerated criticisms.

B

During Thanksgiving, a staggering 43.4 million people will travel more than 50 miles to celebrate the occasion, with approximately 38.9 million choosing to drive, according to AAA. This surge in cars on the road leads to extensive traffic delays and inconveniences. INRIX, a traffic services provider, predicts that in cities with the worst Thanksgiving traffic, the average trip will be delayed by 28.55 percent. Flying, with its expenses and drawbacks, is not always a desirable or feasible alternative. Unfortunately, limited transportation options force American citizens to choose between two undesirable and environmentally harmful alternatives.

C

The transportation problem highlighted during Thanksgiving is not limited to this particular holiday. It exists throughout the year and will only worsen as the U.S. population continues to grow. Simply selling more cars and building more roads will not solve the issue. Andrew Holland, an expert on energy, climate change, and infrastructure policy, points out that while the Interstate Highway System has successfully connected the country, it has also promoted sprawling, car-dependent development, shifting the major cost of fuel onto consumers. To address this, America 2050, an infrastructure planning and policy program, recommends implementing high-speed rail in the Northeast, Midwest, Texas, and California based on criteria such as metropolitan size, distance, transit connections, economic productivity, and congestion.

D

The advantages of faster and more efficient train systems are significant. According to the U.S. High Speed Rail Association, these trains address various problems in the United States. They reduce national oil consumption and emissions, create millions of jobs through infrastructure construction and manufacturing, strengthen national security by reducing dependence on oil, and provide relief from congestion while offering a convenient and comfortable mode of travel without delays. So, why has there been little political movement on the issue?

E

One of the misconceptions surrounding HSR is the belief that passenger trains are exorbitantly expensive and require taxpayer subsidies. Critics argue that spending on HSR is irresponsible given the high national debt. However, they fail to acknowledge the double standard in the debate—the government's significant subsidisation of other transportation modes, such as the construction and maintenance of the interstate highway system, which cost $146 billion in public funds in 2007.

F

Another misconception is that HSR is unsuitable for the United States. Critics claim that interstate highways, suburbanization, and air travel make trains unnecessary. However, they overlook the future implications of population growth, limited fossil fuel resources, and environmental concerns. The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) rightly points out that during the decades it will take to construct an extensive HSR network, the U.S. population is projected to grow by at least 100 million, fossil fuel availability will decline, and environmental considerations will demand less-polluting and more energy-efficient transportation modes. Therefore, high-speed rail is a fitting solution.

G

Lastly, some argue that there is no political or public support for HSR, leading supporters to overstate its benefits. However, a poll conducted by Angus Reid found that 49 percent of Americans support HSR, while only 26 percent oppose it. Clearly there is grassroots support for greater investment in high speed trains, and several well-founded rationales for seriously considering it.

Based on: A Better Way To Travel: Why Isn’t the U.S. Investing In High-Speed Trains? - Harvard Political Review (harvardpolitics.com):