High-speed rail in the US Midwest, which has a similar population density as #Spain, would replace short-haul flights, and go a long way to reducing carbon emissions.
Should be a no-brainer for Amtrak Joe Bidenβyou'd think, anyway... (Fantasy map below)
In Europe, I go everywhere on high-speed electric trains.
In Canada and the US, I'm stuck on slow, late-running diesel trains.
I explore this sad situationβand offer hope for the futureβin my latest Straphanger dispatch
@straphanger density overall may be similar on a large scale, but the character of the density on smaller scales could not be more different.
Spain is the most urbanized large country in Europe. The US midwest... is not that.
I fear that without density around these stations, and attendant public transit networks radiating out from them in each city, these lines would not be well used.
I want a concerted effort to put double track high quality concrete tie railroad track in every interstate highway that can accommodate it. Single track if 2 wont fit, with passing tracks where possible. Consider taking away centermost traffic lanes from some overbuilt ones. When we built expressways companies built trucks & hired long haul drivers. If we build railways with high speed container trains companies will ship faster & cheaper & hire local pickup/delivery drivers.
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