Bullet Train
High Speed Rails
Contents
High Speed Rails 3
Chapter I - Introduction 3
I.1 Statement of the Problem 3
I.2 Question of the Study 3
I.3 Objective of the Paper 3
I. 4 Significance of the Study 4
Chapter II - Literature Review 4
II.1 Introduction and a Short Page of History 4
II.2 What is it exactly? A Definition 5
II. 3 What Are the Costs? 6
II. 4 Advantages of High-Speed Rails 8
II. 5 Disadvantages of High-Speed Rails 12
II. 6 Pollution 13
Chapter III – Methodology 18
Chapter IV – Findings 18
Chapter V – Conclusion 21
Abstract
Technological developments are always meant to ease humans’ lives, in terms of commodity, and to offer performing solutions for their needs. However, often the technological developments are working in the benefit of humankind evolution, but in the detriment of the nature. High-speed rails are a model of such solutions, meant to improve humans’ lives. Their high speeds (between 200 and 431 km/hour), and their easy boarding (the time spent in boarding is less than 30 minutes, depending on the travelling class), transform the meaning of travelling, making it a real experience.
Moreover, the high-speed rails lead to indirect benefits such as allowing the possibility to travel for business purposes, or to working relocation.
On the other hand, indirectly, high-speed rails create negative outcomes: urban agglomerations because of this efficient transportation mode, automatically lead to people deserting the rural regions, for finding job in urban areas, and to discover another lifestyle. This also results in more urban pollution. The high speed rails are sources of pollution themselves, considering the resources and the technological processes used for constructing the infrastructure, for maintenance, for operating them, and of course, for their vehicles.
This paper explores the advantages and disadvantages of the high-speed rails in terms of economic efficiency and in term of environmental sustainability.
Contents
High Speed Rails 3
Chapter I - Introduction 3
I.1 Statement of the Problem 3
I.2 Question of the Study 3
I.3 Objective of the Paper 3
I. 4 Significance of the Study 4
Chapter II - Literature Review 4
II.1 Introduction and a Short Page of History 4
II.2 What is it exactly? A Definition 5
II. 3 What Are the Costs? 6
II. 4 Advantages of High-Speed Rails 8
II. 5 Disadvantages of High-Speed Rails 12
II. 6 Pollution 13
Chapter III – Methodology 18
Chapter IV – Findings 18
Chapter V – Conclusion 21
Abstract
Technological developments are always meant to ease humans’ lives, in terms of commodity, and to offer performing solutions for their needs. However, often the technological developments are working in the benefit of humankind evolution, but in the detriment of the nature. High-speed rails are a model of such solutions, meant to improve humans’ lives. Their high speeds (between 200 and 431 km/hour), and their easy boarding (the time spent in boarding is less than 30 minutes, depending on the travelling class), transform the meaning of travelling, making it a real experience.
Moreover, the high-speed rails lead to indirect benefits such as allowing the possibility to travel for business purposes, or to working relocation.
On the other hand, indirectly, high-speed rails create negative outcomes: urban agglomerations because of this efficient transportation mode, automatically lead to people deserting the rural regions, for finding job in urban areas, and to discover another lifestyle. This also results in more urban pollution. The high speed rails are sources of pollution themselves, considering the resources and the technological processes used for constructing the infrastructure, for maintenance, for operating them, and of course, for their vehicles.
This paper explores the advantages and disadvantages of the high-speed rails in terms of economic efficiency and in term of environmental sustainability.
References: Chester, M., and Horvath, A. (2010) “Assessment of California High speed rail†. Access, no. 37, pp. 25 – 30. De Rus, G. (2008) “The economic effects of high speed rail investment†. OECD, ITF, Discussion paper, no. 2008 – 16. Halcrow Group Limited (2009) High speed rail – wider economic benefits study Levinson, D., Kanafani, A., Gillen, D. (1998) “Air, high speed rail, or highway: a cost comparison in the California Corridor†. Transportation Quarterly, no. 53, vol. 1, pp: 123 – 132. Marthur, S., and Srinivasan, S. (2009) “High speed rail in the Midwest United States: potential for success†. Theoretical and Empirical Research in Urban Management. No 4, vol. 13, pp. 59 – 74. Nash, C. (2009) “When to invest in high-speed rail links and networks?†OECD, ITF, Discussion Paper no 2009 – 16. Neff, J. (2011) High-speed rail investment background data. Washington: American Public Transportation Association. Peterman, D Roaf, Sue, Roaf Susan, Crichton, D., Nicol, F. (2009) Adapting buildings and cities for climate change: a 21st century survival guide. Burlington: Elsevier, Ltd. SPUR Report (2011) Beyond the Tracks. The potential of high-speed rail to reshape California’s growth. San Francisco: SPUR. Vezzoli, C. and Manzini, E. (2010) Design for environmental sustainability. Milan: Springer.