http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/texassouthwest/stories/DN-rail_06tex.ART.State.Edition1.4abba85.html
"A Texas high-speed rail corporation would be created to begin planning for a 200-mph rail system linking the state's five largest urban areas...seven-member board of the corporation to plan and develop the rail transit system, using federal funds for the early stages of the project and then seeking private financing for construction...Another major change from the previous effort is that the system would likely be centered on the major airports in the state..."
Upon reading the bill http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/pdf/SB01570E.pdf , the created high speed rail entity would have to build a system meeting three decrees -
1. Serve major Texas airports
2. Connect military installations
3. Be developed in collaboration with high-speed rail
projects in other areas of the United States
Sound familiar anyone? Check out the Texas High Speed Rail Corporation's plans called the "Texas T-Bone" http://www.thsrtc.com/home_page.html
Among following existing railroad right of ways, these lines serve all major airports, the Fort Hood base, and is easily integrated with the Fed's South Central Corridor (which left Houston out of the triangle corridor mix..).
With the requirement of 200+ mph trains, I wonder if the current rail ROW is sufficient in regards to curves, grades, and topography. I know electrified rail at this speed can handle steep grades, but curvature is always an issue in with HSR in Europe and usually requires acquisition of new ROW. We saw what happened to any new ROW suggestions with the Perry's TTC plans. "Absolutely not!" was all we heard for the property rights fanatics.
Also, I'm not sure if Central Texas would scoff or welcome 200 MPH trains zipping through their communities. Possibly an express AND local service for small towns would be of help revive these ag-based economies and open up their acceptance of such a system.
Overall, this is great plan and would love to see it's implementation. The only outstanding problem I see is the lack of forsight to connect city centers. Don't get me wrong, DFW Airport is already the geographic center of the metroplex, and I don't think the City of Austin wants any more trains along Mo-Pac with the soon-t0-be commuter rail. But city center to city center is crucial for high speed rail sucess. Isn't that the point of not waiting through IAH's security and arriving footsteps from the Gun Expo and the Houston Convention Center? Unless, high speed commuter rail systems are implemented from Airports to Downtowns, I don't know whether people will opt for 1 hour flying or 2 hour railing from the same geographic location.
Hell, maybe the airlines or code-sharing will operate the rail system like Britian's Virgin...
Cool blog dude! The connection to Fort Hood with all major cities is a brilliant idea. I like how Temple is the hub for Texas high speed rail on that map. Makes since because it's always been a huge railroad center. Actually if you're ever driving through there you should take the Central Ave. exit into downtown and see the old Santa Fe Depot (one of the original big depots on the Santa Fe line)...the city renovated it and it's pretty cool and it's still used as an Amtrak station.
ReplyDeleteAs much as I rip on my home town...the Killeen-Temple area will be the next major metro area to emerge in Texas. There's too much going for it not to be...as you can see by that map.
Pigs flying doesn't even begin to describe how stunned I am that all of this is happening as quickly as it is...especially in a Republican-lead house. Things really are changing fast in Texas...as they should. We would have had something similar to this in the 90's if it weren't for Southwest Airlines...but, this plan is light-years ahead of what was proposed in the 90's so in the long run maybe we're better off.
I agree that a CBD to CBD connection is an important aspect that makes HSR marketable to people unfamiliar with using trains. Look at the advantages of taking Acela out of Union Station DC to Penn Station NYC versus taking Metro to National Airport, wait for the plane and taking a cab from LaGuardia into Manhattan.
ReplyDeleteI worry that this system will be most effective at feeding Central Texans into DFW Airports and then on to further connections by air rather than connecting major business nodes in Texas. If I was in Dallas and going to Houston for a meeting I would still fly from Love to Hobby rather than taking rail.
John: Would you fly if rail was 20 bucks cheaper for the extra hour? Maybe not for business person, but I'm sure the tourist family from Indiana would love cheaper fare.
ReplyDeleteIts interesting you pointed out this may act as a feeder service for DFW. No wonder American Airlines signed on so quickly. As much I would love to agree with you, theres something to be said about getting the inefficient and wasteful Southwest and American Regionals out of the air.
Just think! No more horrendous North Texas thunderstorms to ruin your travel plans!
I would really love to see these trains with private financing from American or Southwest. Perhaps a joint consortium..? Sounds like 1993:)
ReplyDeleteYea I would rather fly than save the 20 dollars but that all depends on whether it would be business or pleasure. I agree with you 100% on getting inefficient regional service out of the sky. This plan is a great step towards greater efficiency in transportation. I hope we will see a code share agreement much like Lufthansa and DB. Even living in Austin I would be more likely to use this to get to DFW than I would a 40 minute flight.
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