Surface Infrastructure: High-Speed Rail Projects in the United States

摘要

While high-speed rail is not in widespread use in the United States, these211u001esystems may be an effective alternative in corridors where travel is increasing 211u001eand it is difficult to expand highway and airport capacity. However, high-speed 211u001erail systems are costly, and thus ridership levels may not be high enough in the 211u001eUnited States for systems to cover their costs. Concerned about the role that 211u001efederal financial assistance might play in developing such systems, you asked us 211u001eto review the status of high-speed rail development in the United States. In 211u001eparticular, you asked us to focus on project plans for the Florida corridor for 211u001ewhich detailed studies on building a new high-speed rail system between Miami, 211u001eOrlando, and Tampa have begun. Sponsors for the project, known as the Florida 211u001eOverland Express (FOX) project, will request significant federal capital 211u001eassistance in the near future. This report provides information on (1) the 211u001eestimated cost, financing, ridership, and schedule for the FOX rail project; (2) 211u001ethe status of a new federal transportation infrastructure financing program and 211u001ehow federal funding decisions for the FOX project might affect the new program 211u001eand (3) The status of other planned high-speed rail corridors in the United 211u001eStates. To respond to these objectives, we reviewed cost, finance, ridership, and 211u001eschedule documents on the FOX project; interviewed federal officials on the new 211u001einfrastructure financing program; and interviewed federal officials on the new 211u001einfrastructure financing program; and interviewed state officials responsible for 211u001e11 other potential high-speed rail corridors in the United States.