Comparative Analysis of High-Speed Rail in the US and China

Keywords: high-speed rail, rural-urban divide, transportation, climate resilience, rails to trails
Abstract Type: Poster Abstract

Abstract

High-speed rail (HSR) in most industrialized countries in Europe and Asia have proven profitable and increase GDP in primary, secondary and tertiary station locations, balance greenhouse gas emissions, maintain safety and temporal standards, and assuage traffic concerns of growing populations. The Metroliner’s short completion timeline and ability to demonstrate a successful product prior to appropriating or obligating funds propelled America’s passenger rail industry forward in congruence with establishing the Office of High-Speed Ground Transportation in 1965. However, the US’ rotating bipartisan political structure hinders hyper expensive 20-year-long projects, as shown in California, Florida, and the Northeast Corridor (NEC). Contrarily, China’s centralized government, dense city centers, and politically motivated expansion led to construction of the world’s largest HSR network with 37,900 kilometers of tracks in 2021 and 70,000 kilometers expected by 2035. After Mao Zedong’s death, Deng Xiaoping began a period of reform in China within his Four Modernizations that emphasized social and economic development that increased need for transportation. While HSR in the US may be profitable in the NEC, governmental structure, infrastructure density, and high temporal and financial costs reduce plausibility for HSR despite proven positive effects.