Comments on: Will High-Speed Rail Plan Mean Higher Speed For CT Rail Projects? http://blog.tstc.org/2009/04/24/will-high-speed-rail-plan-mean-higher-speed-for-ct-rail-projects/ News and opinion from the Tri-State Transportation Campaign Sat, 11 Feb 2012 20:36:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: 2009 CT Year in Review: Complete Streets Victory Caps a Year of Reform | Mobilizing the Region http://blog.tstc.org/2009/04/24/will-high-speed-rail-plan-mean-higher-speed-for-ct-rail-projects/comment-page-1/#comment-7036 2009 CT Year in Review: Complete Streets Victory Caps a Year of Reform | Mobilizing the Region Tue, 29 Jun 2010 16:24:47 +0000 http://blog.tstc.org/?p=4615#comment-7036 [...] of road expansion. Connecticut also did a good job taking advantage of high-speed rail funds. As advocates suggested, it sought to use the funds for the New Haven-Springfield rail line as part of a coordinated effort [...] [...] of road expansion. Connecticut also did a good job taking advantage of high-speed rail funds. As advocates suggested, it sought to use the funds for the New Haven-Springfield rail line as part of a coordinated effort [...]

]]> By: zach http://blog.tstc.org/2009/04/24/will-high-speed-rail-plan-mean-higher-speed-for-ct-rail-projects/comment-page-1/#comment-4604 zach Mon, 05 Apr 2010 22:58:32 +0000 http://blog.tstc.org/?p=4615#comment-4604 Ok they say we are going to get trains in Connecticut that are high speed. When will we know who is the provider if they are going to have high speed rail will it be Amtrak, CONNDOT, or a third party? Ok they say we are going to get trains in Connecticut that are high speed. When will we know who is the provider if they are going to have high speed rail will it be Amtrak, CONNDOT, or a third party?

]]> By: Clark Morris http://blog.tstc.org/2009/04/24/will-high-speed-rail-plan-mean-higher-speed-for-ct-rail-projects/comment-page-1/#comment-1185 Clark Morris Tue, 28 Apr 2009 00:48:46 +0000 http://blog.tstc.org/?p=4615#comment-1185 Given the past schedules, major investment would be needed to straighten out the alignments in Connecticut for even moderate high speed (90 - 125 mph). Nimby reaction is likely. Also current FRA strength rules (400 ton crush strength compared with 110 ton crush strength for the TGV) add to the weight of the equipment and make higher speeds more expensive than they should be. Given the track record of TGV equipment in 87 mph grade crossing collisions on non-LGV track, I am dubious that FRA strength standards protect passengers any better than European standards. Given the past schedules, major investment would be needed to straighten out the alignments in Connecticut for even moderate high speed (90 – 125 mph). Nimby reaction is likely. Also current FRA strength rules (400 ton crush strength compared with 110 ton crush strength for the TGV) add to the weight of the equipment and make higher speeds more expensive than they should be. Given the track record of TGV equipment in 87 mph grade crossing collisions on non-LGV track, I am dubious that FRA strength standards protect passengers any better than European standards.

]]> By: Mike Skehan http://blog.tstc.org/2009/04/24/will-high-speed-rail-plan-mean-higher-speed-for-ct-rail-projects/comment-page-1/#comment-1184 Mike Skehan Sat, 25 Apr 2009 01:03:14 +0000 http://blog.tstc.org/?p=4615#comment-1184 Don't forget about us! Washington and Oregon, through our own DOTs have been working towards HSR along the Cascade Corridor between Eugene, OR and Canada since 1999. Tilt trains, capable of 125 mph, have been gradually defining a market share and offering an alternative to driving or flying. Results so far are impressive. Trains carry many more travelers between Seattle and Portland than do airlines, using half the fuel and producing half the pollution per passenger mile at a lower cost. This is an amazing statistic, considering our fast trains are still limited to just 79 mph for lack of federally mandated safety, signal and track improvements. Reducing bottlenecks with freight trains will finally allow our fast trains to go fast. We look forward to working with President Obama and Sec. LaHood to offer America an additional option for travel, while reducing our needs for imported oil and polluting our atmosphere less. Mike Skehan, Member, All Aboard Washington Don’t forget about us!
Washington and Oregon, through our own DOTs have been working towards HSR along the Cascade Corridor between Eugene, OR and Canada since 1999. Tilt trains, capable of 125 mph, have been gradually defining a market share and offering an alternative to driving or flying. Results so far are impressive. Trains carry many more travelers between Seattle and Portland than do airlines, using half the fuel and producing half the pollution per passenger mile at a lower cost. This is an amazing statistic, considering our fast trains are still limited to just 79 mph for lack of federally mandated safety, signal and track improvements. Reducing bottlenecks with freight trains will finally allow our fast trains to go fast.
We look forward to working with President Obama and Sec. LaHood to offer America an additional option for travel, while reducing our needs for imported oil and polluting our atmosphere less.

Mike Skehan, Member, All Aboard Washington

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