High-Speed Rail in the United States: Time to Bite the Bullet

Abstract

The continued innovation and success of High-Speed Rail in Europe and Asia calls for a deeper look into the sustainability and value of this method of transportation. Given the significant projected growth in transportation demand on a yearly basis, there is a need for improvement in infrastructure across the United States. This paper makes the case that private investment in High-Speed Rail is the fastest and most effective way to bring this technology to the United States. Current government programs hoping to increase private investment in public infrastructure are not capable of supporting a large-scale investment, and this investment does not presently have the political backing necessary to gain the proper funding. Therefore, Public-Private Partnerships present the most feasible way to construct High-Speed Rail lines in the country, with the private sector establishing their own funding and the public sector aiding in the process.