China High Speed Rail Stations & Infrastructure- Simply The Best

Despite China's high speed rail crash last year, which is an unusual occurrence given that Japan's 44 year old system and France's 27 year old system have never experienced a fatality, the Asian country is still investing heavily in their high speed rail system.

In recent years, China has laid almost 10,000 kilometers of HSR track, investing billions of yuan in a state of the art train network. And they're not stopping there as Chinese authorities aim to build more than 13,000 kilometers of high-speed lines by 2012 and 16,000 kilometers by 2020.



As a result, China is now producing fast trains that are comfortable and come with eye popping architecture. Let's first take a look at the trains themselves. From skyscrapercity.com...

(Posted by clkgtr)

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Leading-edge BOMBARDIER ZEFIRO technology to feature maximum operating speeds of 380 kph

Bombardier Transportation announced today that its Chinese joint venture, Bombardier Sifang (Qingdao) Transportation Ltd., has been selected by the Chinese Ministry of Railways (MOR) to supply 80 ZEFIRO 380 very high speed trains (1,120 cars) for the country’s rapidly growing high speed rail network. The contract, including 20 eight-car trainsets and 60 sixteen-car trainsets, is valued at an estimated 27.4 billion Chinese Renminbis ($4 billion US, 2.7 billion euros).[1] Bombardier’s share of the contract is estimated at 13.5 billion Chinese Renminbis, ($2 billion US, 1.3 billion euros). The first train is scheduled for delivery in 2012 with final deliveries expected in 2014.




The new trainsets will be an integral part of an evolving high speed rail capability in China, which is developing more than 6,000 km of new high speed lines to create one of the most advanced high speed rail networks in the world. The trains, with maximum operating speeds of 380 kph, are based on Bombardier’s next-generation ZEFIRO high speed rail technology, and powered by a highly energy efficient BOMBARDIER MITRAC propulsion and control system.


The ZEFIRO 380 trainsets will also incorporate Bombardier’s advanced ECO4 energy saving technologies to create best-in-class energy and operating efficiencies. Bombardier launched its ECO4 technology package in 2008 as part of an ongoing focus to extend rail’s position as the most sustainable form of transportation in the world. Bombardier is first in the industry to create a new formula for total train performance with a portfolio that can create substantial overall energy savings of up to 50%.


The ZEFIRO 380 trains will be manufactured at Bombardier Sifang (Qingdao) Transportation production facilities in Qingdao, China. Engineering will take place in Qingdao and at Bombardier centers in Europe with project management and components provided from sites in Europe and China.


Established in 1998, Bombardier Sifang (Qingdao) Transportation Ltd. is a joint venture between Bombardier and CSR Sifang Locomotive and Rolling Stock Ltd. dedicated to supplying passenger rail rolling stock for China. It has delivered over 1,000 passenger rail cars into China since its inception, including a range of high speed trains and high-grade passenger coaches.

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Here are some more high speed rail cars developed by the Chinese...

(most pictures taken from: http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=174030)







Now let's take a look at the high speed rail stations the Chinese have built for their high speed rail system...

Smaller Stations-

Yanchen Station:
 

Yan An Station:


Yantai Station:


Huaihua Station:


Chifeng Station:


Yiwu Station:


Zhangjiajie Station:


Wuchang Station:



Lhasa Station:


Larger Stations:

Beijing West:


New Suzhou Central Station


Wuhan:













Fuzhou:




Beijing North renovation:




Qingdao:






Chengdu:






Nanjing South:









Guangzhou:




Shanghai West





Shenzhen North Station









New Dalian Station












Tianjin West Station.







Nanjing



Suzhou





Suzhou Industrial Park station



Wuxi







Changzhou



Danyang



Zhenjiang





The massive Hongqiao Traffic Hub (maglev, metro, HSR, airport) in Shanghai:

Guiyang new railway station.

Changsha South railway station

Hengyang East Station, the largest Class II station of the Wuguang PDL

Beijing South

The Chinese have also built some impressive high speed rail infrastructure outside of their stations...

Xixiaoping Tunnel





Taihang Mountain Tunnel West Exit (tunnel 27.839km)





Bridge/tunnel is 60% of total length



North of Yangquan County



Xichengwu Bridge (3.57km)



Driving to the other part of tunnel



Gushan Bridge, the design serves the purpose of not breaking S314 road







Yehe Bridge



Yehe Bridge and Duan Zhuang Tunnel



Kulong Peak Bridge and Miaoling Mount Tunnel





Out of Xiaopo Mount Tunnel



The only low-speed train the new rail





Taiping River Bridge (2.23km)

As a result of all of this investment, the Chinese have created hundreds of thousands of jobs with in their high speed rail manufacturing plants...

When you compare this investment to what we have here in the U.S...

Detroit Amtrak Station


Houston Amtrak Station


New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal

You see why the U.S is no longer leading the world in job creation, manufacturing, or technological innovation. It begs the question: When are we going to stop wasting billions on interstates from the 1950s and start building 21st century infrastructure like the Chinese are with their high speed rail.

Just this past year, China announced that they will be building maglev lines for Beijing which go even faster than traditional high speed rail...

Here in Evansville, we have plenty of room to manufacture high speed rail with a slack water port, we have plenty of room to build a high speed rail station in Downtown Evansville, and we would be saving money while creating jobs by redirecting highway and interstate funds to high speed rail.

We need to say Yes on High Speed Rail!

Mayor Winnecke's Letter To Bloomington Is A Disappointing Setback For Progress In Southern Indiana



Any hope that Southern Indiana, most notably Evansville, would be joining the rest of the Midwest, the U.S, and the world in general took a huge hit today with Mayor Lloyd Winnecke's decision to write a letter to the Bloomington MPO requesting they include I-69 in their budget.

Our town is in debt up to its eyeballs. It's now getting to the point where we have no funds for even our basic services. Just a few weeks ago, our Evansville City Council bowed down to Casino Aztar and gave them an exemption to our smoking ban simply because we couldn't afford to stand up to them...

http://evansvillemovingforward.blogspot.com/2012/02/as-evansville-goes-up-in-cigarette.html

You would think that these basic truths would grab the attention of our city leaders to actually do something about it. You would think that our city would finally commit itself to fighting urban sprawl which stretches our government services, our infrastructure, and our environmental impact. You would think that our city would quit building roads and interstates until they fixed the ones they have. Unfortunately, you would be wrong across the board. Let's dive into some of the quotes from the letter...

http://city-countyobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Interstate-69-Letter.pdf

"I share the opinion of numerous local, state, and federal officials that Interstate 69 is vitally important to the continued growth and development of southwest Indiana."

My question is very simple: Why? There is zero evidence backing this notion up. Back in 1999, before INDOT admitted that the cost of the interstate from Evansville to Indianapolis would be $3.31 billion (add in the bridge and repairs needed to inferior materials and it's over $5 billion) not $750 million, an independent firm pegged each job created by I-69 to cost $1.56 million...

http://www.commonsensei69.org/documents/I69UICRpt01-00-99.pdf

These past few months, it has been US 41, not I-69, that has created the jobs...

http://evansvillerail.blogspot.com/2011/09/another-day-another-company-chooses-us.html

"In 2007, the U.S Department of Transportation designated Interstate 69 as a national "Corridor of the Future" stating that the highway is a project of regional and national significance. As you know, the Interstate 69 route extends from Michigan to Texas, placingthe state of Indiana in a strategic location along this international trade route."

I-69 is 84 miles longer than existing interstates...

http://www.i69tour.org/nationalmap.pdf

Truck drivers are known to take the shortest routes possible and will even drive for miles on back roads to avoid toll roads. Why would they drive 84 miles out of the way? And why couldn't US 41 and I-70 be an "international trade route?"
"Our state has made tremendous progress on Interstate 69 and it is projected this summer to be the largest transportation project in the entire country. Evansville, Washington, Petersburg, Loogootee, and numerous other communities in southwest Indiana have waited decades to be fully linked to the state's economy job creation and build a safer connection to our rural areas."

We have not made "progress" with I-69. We have failed to build a stronger connection to any city directly north of us such as Vincenness and Terre Haute. We have failed to connect those cities to Bloomington which would have been possible under the 2nd alternative in the I-69 analysis. Also, we have wasted billions, not millions, on this project while having to scramble for money for projects like the Sherman Minton Bridge because no funds were left over from Major Moves.

I-69 is safer? It may be safER but it definitely isn't safe. We've seen two fatal accidents on I-164, which will become I-69, just this past year...

http://www.courierpress.com/news/2011/dec/20/fourth-person-dies-result-i-164-crash/

Why does anyone look at this road as safe?

"With the project under construction and finally becoming a reality, attempts to temporarily halt or delay the project through procedural actions, or the court system, is a waste of taxpayer money and a complete disregard to the majority of citizens who support this project."

This project will cost well over $5 billion when it's done. It is this road itself that is the waste of taxpayer dollars. And since when did the majority of citizens support this project? Bloomington doesn't support it, Martinsville doesn't support it, and Indianapolis thinks it needs to take a different route. Not to mention Terre Haute doesn't support the new terrain route. It's Evansville and that's it that supports this boondoggle.

Unfortunately, there were some things we didn't hear today such as the following...

1. This road is coming up short on the amount of jobs per billion spent on it. Only 4,000-5,000 jobs are expected to be created which does count the jobs that will simply move over from US 41. In contrast, high speed rail creates 20,000 jobs for every billion spent on it. This doesn't include the manufacturing companies that follow it such as Alstom who wanted to create 5,000 jobs in Wisconsin before their governor turned down their high speed rail line.

2. We didn't hear about the environmental damage this project will cause. Something tells me that if this road were going through Wesselman Woods like it is going through the Patoka Wild Life Refuge we'd be hearing a different story.

3. We didn't hear about the costs of this road which will certainly hamper its completion along State Road 37 and the Ohio River.

4. We didn't hear about the cities being left out of the project such as Vincennes, Terre Haute, and Sullivan. We also don't hear about how close cities like Petersberg, Washington, and Evansville are to US 41.

5. We didn't hear anything about US 41 which will certainly need to be upgraded or scaled down from its present state. We didn't hear why it is US 41 that is creating more jobs than I-69 because of its close proximity to a CSX rail line running from Nashville to Chicago and even has a spur to Indianapolis.

6. We still heard nothing about high speed rail.

#6 is the most disappointing part about today. During his campaign, Mayor Winnecke released a plan called "Moving Evansville Forward" that consisted of 5 components...

http://media.courierpress.com/media/static/Moving_Evansville_Forward.pdf

1. Improving Our City Roads and Highways
2. Investing in Public Transportation
3. Finish I-69
4. Strengthen Our Airport
5. Utilize Railways

Yet as of today, 4 out of the 5 have receieved attention...

1. The mayor held a roads town hall meeting(s).
2. The mayor extended the METS bus route on the north side.
3. The mayor lobbied Bloomington to include I-69 today.
4. Our airport is getting new connectors for passengers to walk between the airport and their airplane.
5. ????????

Of the 5 ideas, only #5 really makes any sense. #1 is easily the biggest drain on our city budget, #2 is just a duct-tape version of a transportation plan that's an alternative to the automobile, #3 is a complete boondoggle, and #4 makes no economic sense at all when we can build a bullet train to Louisville, St. Louis, and Chicago who have bigger and cheaper airports.

So as we sit here and ignore high speed rail in favor of an interstate boondoggle, the rest of the Midwest is planning...



The question now becomes: When? When will Evansville wake up and join the rest of the Midwest, the U.S, and the world in building 21st century transportation? When will we invest in high speed rail which is profitable instead of roads which are expensive and never pay for themselves? Lastly, when will we commit to a transportation mode like high speed rail which is cheaper, safer, faster, quieter, greener, healthier, and more productive?

Although Bloomington ended up giving in to those at INDOT and Evansville who want to build this road at all costs, I am still proud of the Bloomington MPO for taking a stand. They are much better off for it. We certainly know that Bloomington is in much better shape than Evansville.

Please Support The Midwest High Speed Rail Association With A Bumper Sticker Purchase

If we are going to be successful in bringing high speed rail to Evansville, the Midwest, and the United States as a whole, we MUST get the word out about high speed rail while supporting those organizations that are working to bring high speed rail to our communities.

To accomplish this goal, the Midwest High Speed Rail Association will mail you a high speed rail bumper sticker, poster, hat, or water bottle depending on how much you donate to the organization...

https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2228/p/salsa/donation/common/public/?donate_page_KEY=7924

I have already ordered my bumper sticker (which you can see on the top of this post) because I feel passionate about the need for the U.S to get away from the automobile and into a high speed rail train. Just today, I had to pay $150 to have a used regulator installed on my car to get my window to roll up.

We cannot maintain the status quo with our transportation. The automobile and our highway system are responsible for over 30,000 deaths, numerous property damage and bodily injuries, countless pounds of pollution, four times as much taxpayer dollars to construct and maintain, and it is breaking the budget of our middle class who is unable to keep up with fees from the BMV, auto insurance, car maintenance, car payments, and gas prices.

If you are committed to bringing Evansville into the 21st century like I am, please support the Midwest High Speed Rail Association. It is vital that this organization has the proper funding to lobby our political leaders to bring high speed rail to the Midwest. We need to get our political leaders here in Evansville to commit to joining the Midwest High Speed Rail Association's plan to bring 220 + mph bullet trains to all states in the Midwest...



That goal starts with your support of the Midwest High Speed Rail Association by purchasing a bumper sticker and displaying it on your automobile. Please support the Midwest High Speed Rail Association!

Why Did Dennis Avery Select Chicago Over Indianapolis?

(destination360.com)

Back in 2009, we were fortunate to have a glimmer of hope for passenger rail coming to Evansville when State Representative Dennis Avery tried to get $300,000 from Indianapolis to study an Evansville to Chicago route...

http://www.indianaeconomicdigest.net/main.aspSectionID=31&subsectionID=298&articleID=47391

"I believe there are some people that would much prefer to put their car in the garage and take the train," Avery said.

This was the first time, in a long time, that we came close to actually pursuing passenger rail in Evansville. Although Avery said the study wouldn't have been for high speed rail, it would indeed have connected into the high speed rail grid...

"The network Obama unveiled amplifies Chicago's role as a key hub and includes high-speed routes that would connect Chicago to Indianapolis, and then Indianapolis to both Louisville, Ky., and Cincinnati. But Evansville wouldn't be connected to those routes.

Avery said the fact that major Indiana cities such as Evansville and Terre Haute are close to the network "basically points out the importance of having a study to see if western Indiana would be a desirable route.""

Unfortunately, when budget talks heated up in Indianapolis, the study was scrapped. I found this to be nothing short of hypocritical for Indianapolis to claim there is no money to study a passenger rail route for Evansville when they are planning on spending well over $5 billion on Interstate 69.

Nonetheless, some of those who opposed or were skeptical of the study wanted Avery to pursue an Evansville to Indianapolis route instead of one going to Chicago...

http://www.courierpress.com/news/2010/oct/03/high-speed-rail-the-issue-amtrak-looks-to-our-we/

"Here in Indiana, much of the talk and hope has been about linking Chicago, Indianapolis, Louisville and Cincinnati as part of a Midwest high-speed rail network. While Evansville isn't on that map, State Rep. Dennis Avery attempted last year to secure $300,000 for a study of passenger rail service between Evansville and Chicago. We felt at the time that an Evansville-to-Indianapolis route might find more support in Southern Indiana, but alas, it didn't matter. Avery's request was erased from the proposed state budget amid worries about more immediate state needs."

Of course, as we all know the Evansville Courier & Press published the above article as one of their latest attempts to stop anything that they feel would threaten their boondoggle known as I-69 from being completed. So much for "more immediate state needs." However, there are some who support rail but question why Chicago should receive priority over Indianapolis even though Indianapolis is our state capital.

One organization, The Transport Politic, even proposed a route from St. Louis to Louisville going through Evansville but did not include any routes from Evansville to Chicago or Indianapolis...

http://www.thetransportpolitic.com/2009/02/01/a-future-interstate-rail-network-redux/



But there is a reason for this selection. If you look at the overall goal for high speed rail...



You will see that both St. Louis and Louisville are important hubs connecting to the ultimate hub for the Midwest High Speed Rail Network- Chicago.

And if you look at the Midwest High Speed Rail Network specifically...

(indygov.org)

You will notice that all rail lines in the Midwest will head to Chicago. Why is this? Because there is a new economic model emerging in the United States. This model is called megaregions. What are megaregions?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megaregions_of_the_United_States

"A Megaregion, also known as a Megalopolis or Megapolitan Area, refers to a clustered network of American cities whose population ranges or is projected to range from about 7 to 63 million by the year 2025.

A megaregion is a large network of metropolitan regions that share several or all of the following:

Environmental systems and topography
Infrastructure systems
Economic linkages
Settlement and land use patterns
Culture and history

The Regional Plan Association recognizes 11 emerging megaregions:

Arizona Sun Corridor Megaregion
Cascadia Megaregion
Florida Megaregion
Front Range Megaregion
Great Lakes Megaregion
Gulf Coast Megaregion
Northeast Megaregion
Northern California Megaregion
Piedmont Atlantic Megaregion
Southern California Megaregion
Texas Triangle Megaregion

More than 70 percent of the nation's population and jobs are located in 11 megaregions identified by Regional Plan Association."

Here is a map of the 11 megaregions...

http://www.rpa.org/america2050/sync/elements/america2050map.png

Why is it important to have a direct route to Chicago, the capital of our megaregion?

1. The vast majority of flights over 600 miles leaving the megaregion will go through Chicago.

2. The vast majority of goods that are being shipped to the Midwest will go through Chicago.

3. The vast majority of the population in the Midwest will either live in Chicago or on a high speed rail line that goes directly to Chicago.

4. Having a direct line to Chicago will allow us to reach the rest of the Midwest Network as they will have direct lines running into Chicago as well.

5. Having a direct line to Chicago will allow us to tap into their human intellectual knowledge as well due to the fact that the entire Chicago population will be within a few hours of reaching Evansville.

There are also a few other minor reasons why a route to Chicago should take priority over Indianapolis...

1. Evansville to Chicago is served by a CSX-Class I Railroad which makes it an easier line to upgrade for high speed rail.

2. Evansville to Chicago also has a CSX side spur at Terre Haute that goes to Indianapolis making an Evansville-Terre Haute-Indianapolis route cheaper and more productive that an Evansville-Bloomington-Indianapolis route.

3. Chicago already has a bigger population than Indianapolis.

So while reaching Indianapolis, the capital of our state, may seem to be the best solution, reaching Chicago, the capital of our megaregion makes much more sense.

If Evansville is truly going to join the rest of the Midwest in establishing both national and international connections, we must send politicians to Indianapolis who share the same vision that Dennis Avery had for Evansville.

We must go to Chicago before we go to Indianapolis!

Let's Make Lloyd Winnecke Evansville's First High Speed Rail Mayor

(courierpress.com)

Now that the election is over, it is now more than clear that Evansville is divided by more than US 41. Yesterday's election was gut wrenching if you supported Rick Davis for mayor (as I did) or it was legendary if you supported Lloyd Winnecke for mayor.

First and foremost, thank you Treasurer Rick Davis for running for mayor. Of all of the campaigns I have worked on, which includes several in Lexington, KY, a few in Seattle, WA, and a few here in Evansville, this has been the most fulfilling one for me. I will never forget it and I am thoroughly saddened that it's over. At Rick's town hall meetings, several rail supporters came to him with questions about Evansville's future in passenger rail. Rick gave his full support for high speed rail and he said he would fight for it. Thank you Rick for listening to the High Speed Rail Movement!

Next, I would like to congratulate Commissioner Winnecke on becoming our 34th mayor. Commissioner Winnecke has worked hard for Evansville, and I appreciate him willing to take on the task of being mayor for Evansville.

So with all of that being said, Evansville is at a crossroads (no pun intended) when it comes to transportation. We can continue going down that same path known as the interstates that aren't safe, they aren't productive for job creation, they aren't clean, they aren't fast, they aren't cheap or affordable, and they have taken their toll on the environment.

Or, we can choose to go down a new path. That path is high speed rail. High speed rail offers Evansville a chance of a lifetime. With high speed rail, we have the opportunity to create jobs by the thousands with a slack water port next to our rail lines (both passenger and freight), the opportunity to transport residents safely as high speed rail has only had one fatal accident in its 47 year history, the opportunity to clean up our environmental emissions, the opportunity to save farmland, the opportunity to prevent urban sprawl, the opportunity to work in Bloomington while living in Evansville, and the opportunity to finally join the rest of the U.S in the 21st century.

During this past election, Commissioner Winnecke indicated support for both I-69 and high speed rail. Although we are a divided city right now, we absolutely, positively need to make Commissioner & Mayor-Elect Winnecke aware of the benefits of choosing rails over roads.

In his plan "Moving Evansville Forward," Commissioner Winnecke said the following about high speed rail...

http://media.courierpress.com/media/static/Moving_Evansville_Forward.pdf

"Passenger rail in Indiana is currently limited to the northern and middle sections of the state. INDOT released the Indiana Rail Plan in 2009. The report acknowledged the potential economic benefit an increased passenger rail system would have on Indiana. This is why it is imperative that Evansville be included in any future plans for an extended passenger rail network. Current plans for improved rail coverage in Indiana woefully omit Evansville as a stop on any potential passenger rail system. As mayor, I will insist that Evansville be placed on any map as a stop on a new Midwest rail system.

There has also been a push at the federal level to encourage the development of high speed rail in the middle region of the country. The Federal Rail Administration has identified High Speed Rail Corridors throughout the country. One of these corridors connects Chicago, IL to Louisville, KY. The latest plan also neglects Evansville as a primary or secondary hub for this system. Once again, I will fight for the people of Evansville to be certain that our city is properly connected to a Midwest High Speed Rail system and takes full advantage of any economic benefit. "

This is a very well-written and thought out statement from Mr. Winnecke. I thank him for his willingness to embrace high speed rail in a town that doesn't like change. I, and I hope you will join me, must make sure Mr. Winnecke sticks to his campaign promise once he becomes mayor.

For those who aren't familiar with the Midwest High Speed Rail Movement, please check out these links in this post...

http://evansvillerail.blogspot.com/2011/06/take-look-at-our-high-speed-rail-region.html

Those who oppose high speed rail have tried all kinds of scare tactics. They have tried the following...

1. Claiming high speed rail is only being pursued in the Northeast Corridor and California. They are wrong, high speed rail is coming to the Midwest, and we must build into the system.

2. Said high speed rail is unaffordable. Yet, on average, high speed rail costs 1/4th the price of interstates.

3. Said high speed rail is a money loser. They are wrong big time on this claim. High speed rail is profitable while interstates don't even come close...

http://evansvillerail.blogspot.com/2011/06/it-makes-financial-sense-to-build-high.html

I have no doubt that high speed rail opponents will continue to use these scare tactics as well and many others. For this reason, if we are ever going to get high speed rail in Evansville, our leader and our mayor Lloyd Winnecke must be in full support of high speed rail. This is what happens when you don't prepare for high speed rail...

http://www.wndu.com/hometop/headlines/83076777.html

I trust Lloyd Winnecke will make the right decision on high speed rail. He has the ability to influence our economic development coalition, our chamber of commerce, the Evansville Courier & Press, our state and federal leaders, and many more who have the power to pursue high speed rail.

Congratulations Commissioner Lloyd Winnecke and I hope you will give high speed rail a chance!

(http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephenmosleymp/5866326058/)

You Want Safety? Ride The Rails!

(usdotblog.typepad.com)

Since the Chinese witnessed their high speed rail system rack up over 40 fatalities last August in an accident that has since been blamed on design flaws in the rail signal equipment, many critics of high speed rail have used this incident for their rationale that high speed rail isn't safe.

As you will see in the article below, this couldn't be any farther from the truth. High speed rail's safety record, which has seen zero fatalities in France, Spain, and Japan and only one in Germany, is light years ahead of the automobile.

We've been told that building I-69 is necessary for the safety of those commuting from Evansville to Bloomington. This couldn't be any farther from the truth as well. Although automobile fatalities are decreasing sharply, they aren't anywhere near the safety level of high speed rail.

Every year, over 30,000 Americans die in automobile related accidents. There were 814 fatalities in 2008 in Indiana, and In 2009, 680 people died on Indiana roads. This does not include those who were injured but survived, and it does not include damages done by the automobile to personal property.

The following article, which can be found on the website for California's proposed high speed rail system, illustrates perfectly why we need to invest in high speed rail.

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http://www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov/safety.aspx

Why are high-speed trains the safest form of transportation?

High-speed train systems have been operated safely every day in other parts of the world for many years. The unparalleled safety record for high-speed trains is based upon their actual operating experience. For example, in Japan high-speed train operations began in 1964. In over 44 years of operation, Japanese high-speed trains (the “Shinkansen”) have carried more than 9 billion passengers without a single train related fatality. In France, their high-speed trains (the “TGV”) have been operating for 27 years and currently carry more than 100 million passengers a year. Like Japan, the French high-speed train system has never had a single high-speed train related passenger fatality on the completely dedicated new line such as will be built in California.

In contrast, the automobile is unquestionably the most used and most dangerous when comparing auto, air and rail modes of transportation. In 2004 alone, there were over 4,000 fatalities and more than 200,000 nonfatal injuries on California highways. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that deaths and injuries resulting from motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for persons between the ages of 4 and 33 in the United States. With more and more vehicles on our highways, the potential for automobile accidents increases.

What makes high-speed trains so safe?

High-speed trains have the proven record as the safest and most reliable form of transportation in the world as a result of separating high-speed trains from other forms of traffic and implementing automated positive train control that safeguards against human error.

High-speed trains operate on grade separated tracks designed for high-speeds. Most train accidents are the consequence of passenger and freight trains using the same tracks and with a signaling and switching system that depends on humans. 87% of California’s 800-mile route will be on new completely separate track reserved for the exclusive use of high-speed trains.

The key distinguishing reasons for the near perfect safety record of high-speed train travel in Europe and Asia are summarized below. (The California High-Speed Rail Project will incorporate all of these safety features, building upon the proven safety and design criteria used for existing high-speed train systems in Europe and Asia):

The entire high-speed train system is fully access controlled and grade-separated (there are no at grade crossings with roads, pedestrians, or other rail services), eliminating pedestrian and motor vehicle conflicts.

The high-speed train systems are completely double-tracked with additional tracks at intermediate stations to support express operations.

The trains are centrally monitored and controlled, effectively preventing operators from making serious errors, stopping or slowing trains automatically in the event of external problem such as earthquakes, objects falling on the tracks, or gale force winds. High-speed train traffic control and communications systems are state-of-the-art, regulated, and managed during all hours of operation. These systems monitor and limit the train’s speed, schedule, routing, and headway (following distance behind another train). These systems, combined with the operator, have integral redundancy and ensure safety.

Heavy, conventional freight trains do not share infrastructure designed for high-speed operations.

High-speed trains use a cab signaling system that transmits commands directly to the driver. This technology makes high-speed operation possible in darkness, rain, and fog. In Japan, even moderate snowfall does not slow the Shinkansen because of special ice-melting equipment built into the rail bed.

Unlike aircraft, high-speed train systems are not subject to turbulence. Passengers may sit without seat restraints and may stand and walk comfortably even at maximum speeds and around curves.

Although high-speed train systems do operate in highly seismic areas, such as Japan, no fatalities have ever occurred as a result of a seismic event. The control system is linked to motion detectors close to faults having the potential to affect the line, even hundreds of miles from the line The systems stops the trains when an earthquake is detected, and at-grade construction in fault zones further improves safety.

Like airplanes, and other public intercity modes, high-speed trains and the infrastructure they operate on (tracks, control systems, and electrification systems) are be maintained on a regular schedule and the maintenance records would be subject to inspection by the Federal Railroad Administration. This regular inspection of both rolling stock and track would ensure the safety of the high-speed train system.

In California, key safeguards will prevent unwarranted access to the system. The California high-speed train system would be a fully grade-separated and fully access-controlled guideway with intrusion monitoring systems in place. This means that the train system’s infrastructure (e.g., mainline tracks and maintenance and storage facilities) would be designed to prevent access by unauthorized vehicles, persons, animals, and objects and to detect breaches of the system. The capital cost estimates include allowances for appropriate barriers (fences and walls), state-of-the-art communication, access-control, and monitoring and detection systems. All aspects of the California high-speed train system would conform to the latest federal requirements regarding transportation security. High-Speed trains will not require lengthy “airport style” screenings because like other passenger rail transportation services operating throughout the United States, high-speed trains do not present as great a security risk as air transportation.

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It's pretty obvious that high speed rail, not I-69, is the answer to safety for those traveling to and from Bloomington. Furthermore, I-69 does not provide a safe route for those going from Evansville to Terre Haute or for those going from Terre Haute to Bloomington.

Wouldn't it be nice to pick up the paper and read "Zero Fatalities in Indiana" everyday? Wouldn't it be nice to ride safely on high speed rail knowing you will reach your destination? And wouldn't it be nice knowing that high speed rail will not cause damage or harm to any of neighborhoods it travels through?

It you want to be safe, you better ride the rails!

(distinctivenurseries.com)

I-69 Supporters Just Can't Answer The Big Questions

(deanhunt.com)

What does Governor Mitch Daniels, the Evansville Courier & Press, and those who support I-69 have in common? Answer: None of them can answer the big questions regarding the construction of this boondoggle and unneeded interstate. Let's take a look at some of the recent articles that prove this...

http://www.courierpress.com/news/2011/sep/27/bloomington-mpo-should-open-county-to-i-69/

According to the Herald Times newspaper of Bloomington, the Bloomington/Monroe County Metropolitan Planning Organization submitted 109 questions to INDOT last week, as it said it would on Sept. 9 when it delayed a vote on whether to include construction of I-69 in Monroe County in its county transportation plan.

According to the Bloomington newspaper, among the questions was the most familiar — how does the state plan to complete financing of the highway between Bloomington and Indianapolis?

That's a very simple question, correct? After all, didn't the C&P themselves write an editorial against high speed rail citing costs as the main reason for not pursuing it?...

http://www.courierpress.com/news/2010/oct/03/high-speed-rail-the-issue-amtrak-looks-to-our-we/

It's quite ironic, and hypocritical to suggest that high speed rail is unaffordable when construction costs average 1/4th the price of interstates...

http://www.indianahighspeedrail.org/whyHSR.htm

So how would the C&P answer this simple question?...

At this point, INDOT probably cannot answer that question with anything near certainty. As everyone knows, Gov. Mitch Daniels pulled financing for the Evansville to Crane stretch out of his hat with the Major Moves highway initiative.

THERE YOU HAVE IT. The C&P has finally admitted they don't have a clue how to finish this road off. We've been told that Roberts Stadium can only stand if it there's a business plan for it to make money. We've been told that high speed rail is too expensive and shall be financed only through the private sector. Yet the C&P endorses a road that doesn't even stand a chance of getting finances for completion, much less profitability which as we all know roads don't profit.

Could you imagine if we built half of an arena without enough financing to complete it? Could you imagine only building a fraction of New North High School? I-69 supporters love complaining about US 41 not being a true interstate, yet we are now going to have an interstate connecting to a freeway. What's the difference? This is exactly why the Lloyd Expressway and the Greenway are in the shape they're in.

Beyond that, unless Daniels comes up with another innovative idea, it may well be up to the next governor and legislature to finish financing, either through traditional sources of highway funding or perhaps with some form of user fee, such as tolls, or both.

Governor Daniels has already tried tolling the interstate, I-69 supporters wanted no part of that. The highway fund is depleted (as it should be), and there isn't even enough money left to repair existing infrastructure much less add to this boondoggle. Basically, it's thanks for nothing! I-69 opponents have warned the state about this since the very beginning. Now, we all see that they were right.

Regardless, there is no sensible reason to stop construction cold in its tracks at Crane, as opponents of I-69 would seem to prefer. It would be best to construct the highway as far as possible, so as to be ready when issues involving the Bloomington to Indianapolis link are resolved.

We have crumbling bridges, an economy that has been hampered due to the fact that they can not get from Point A to Point B at speeds that high speed rail can take it, and we still have other infrastructure woes. Why should we continue with this boondoggle? There's already a route to Indianapolis and it already has powerful corporations such as Toyota and GBT on it. Let's stick with fixing US 41.

No doubt, the MPO has some legitimate questions for INDOT — questions that could have been posed a year ago — and it might benefit their community and the project to have this discussion.

You think? These questions have been posed since the very beginning. I-69 supporters cannot answer them now, and they will never be able to answer them in the future. Again, why continue?

But in the end, this project must go forward. Indeed, we hope that once the questions are answered, and discussed, the MPO will stop its petty, provincial stall tactics and open their community and the state to this much-needed highway.

Much needed highway? The C&P cannot answer basic questions such as funding, much less the lack of jobs, the environmental disaster this road is causing, and the basic truths that high speed rail is cleaner, greener, faster, cheaper, produces more jobs, safer, and more reliable. That's what we need to invest in.

For the record, I practice what I preach. Yesterday, I went to Bloomington to attend an IU football game against Penn St. Did I take state road 57 or the brief part of I-69? NO! I took US 41, state road 67, state road 54, and state road 45. After all, it is the main route listed on mapquest. I left a half hour later than when I was suppose to to get to the game, but in the end, I arrived in Bloomington a half hour before kick off. I have the following questions for the C&P and the rest of the I-69 supporters...

1. Why is new terrain being chosen over US 41/I-70 when US 41 has a main CSX route parallel to it and the new Terre Haute Bypass is under construction?

2. If you're worried about safety,why not upgrade US 41 to I-70 and convert state road 67 and US 231 to a freeway? As is, how are those students traveling to Bloomington from Vincenness, Terre Haute, or Sullivan going to get there safely?

3. Northern Indiana, Central Indiana, and Southeastern Indiana are planning for high speed rail. If we are planning a highway that isn't even funded how are we suppose to stay competitive with these regions?

4. If I-69 is all that, why is Toyota (which is the reason North American Lighting came to town) and GBT located on US 41?

5. If there isn't any funding to complete I-69, why would anyone believe there is enough to construct an Ohio River bridge?

If this editorial wasn't bad enough, we where treated to a "Community Comment" today. I-69 opponents are commonly called clowns, jokers, and nutcases. This writer just proves that it is the supporters of I-69 that are the rubes. For this reason, I'm glad they publish these articles. Let's dive into some of the comments...

http://www.courierpress.com/news/2011/oct/02/the-case-to-build-i-69-may-be-found-at-the-roads/

Now let's talk about the little towns along the way. How about Fort Branch? Will they get two exits or just one? Doesn't really matter, all of those businesses and homes along that stretch will have to come down. The few that are left will be inaccessible with only one exit.

They will die out. Same holds true for Sullivan and Farmersburg and all the other small cities, towns, businesses and homes along the way.

This is the dumbest rebuttal I have ever heard. The cost to upgrade US 41 was roughly 1/3rd of the new terrain cost. Worst of all, the current I-69 plan will destroy 400 homes, 2,800 acres of farmland, and 1,000 acres of forest. And this writer is concerned about Fort Branch? WOW!

For this reason, I-69 is the 7th worst interstate construction in the country...

http://www.infrastructurist.com/2009/03/16/highways-to-nowhere-the-7-most-ridiulous-new-roads/

Then I'd like for the people of Bloomington, on the next rainy night, to head south via Highways 37/50 and drive to Evansville. Hey, it will only take about 3 to 3 ½ hours, if you make it. Be careful, as the highway is hilly and don't forget the very sharp curves and changes in speed limits frequently mostly 50 to 35 mph. You don't get 55 mph until you get to the last stretch of U.S. 50 approaching Bedford. Then back to the hills and hollers and the slower speed limits.

Bottom line: The new highway is needed and my research shows that to redo U.S. 41 would be the most devastating to people and places.

"My research." There's the problem. My research, which included driving US 41 to Bloomington shows that state road 67, which branches off of US 41 is already being widened. My research also showed that a brand new rail line is being laid down next to the road. This rail line will compliment the new coal plant at Edwardsport. Lastly, my research tells me that would be a much better solution than the current wasteful plan.

Hey, it might cost a little more money but let's just skip Monroe County. Somewhere around Hobbieville, turn I-69 north. Skirt Monroe County, go up through Greene and Owen counties and pick up Indiana 67 and Indianapolis here we come.

So long, nut cases in Bloomington! Oh, be sure and give them an exit at Indiana 48 so they can see what they missed.

The final sentence just proves how pointless this article is to begin with. The funny thing about it, is that the writer is now advocating for state road 67 to be used anyways which would avoid Bloomington. This writer doesn't even know what he's arguing for.

Of course it might cost a little bit of money but who cares? It's not like we need to repair the Sherman Minton Bridge. And it's not like anyone would take US 41 to Terre Haute where they would get on a bypass. And it's not like this project is already under construction with Mitch Daniels HIMSELF grandstanding in front of it...

http://www.in.gov/indot/div/projects/sr641/

That photo of Mitch Daniels standing in front of the Terre Haute Bypass is further proof that he, as well as the rest of the I-69 supporters, are hypocrites.

As each week goes along, I-69 supporters show us what they are really about. They don't care about your safety going to Terre Haute, they don't care about your safety traveling over bridges that are listed in bad condition, they don't care about students going from Vincenness to Bloomington, and they don't care about Southern Indiana's future which is high speed rail.

If we are ever going to move into the 21st century, we must ignore those who support I-69 and start planning for a system that works. High speed rail is clean, green, cheaper, faster, reliable, safer, and more productive.

WHEN WILL THE C&P AND I-69 SUPPORTERS ANSWER THE BIG QUESTIONS?

(icanhascheezburger.com)