The City of Madison tackles the station location challenge The City of Madison Department of Transportation recently released a study of potential train station sites. It identified a first choice and a “Plan B” alternative from a list of nine contenders. Two other...
Newsletter 12/20/24: All Aboard Act Proposes $200 Billion for High Speed Rail
All Aboard Act Proposes $200 Billion for Fast, Electrified Trains
A bill to invest $200 billion over five years in “high-performance rail” and electrifying existing railways was jointly introduced in the US House and Senate this week.
The bulk of the funding would go to existing Federal Railroad Administration programs, including the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Rail, CRISI, and Amtrak. Each of the programs would be modified to prioritize electrification.
The Alliance joined a wide range of other organizations in endorsing the All Aboard Act.
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Cascadia High-Speed Rail Project Awarded $49.7 Million
The Cascadia high-speed rail project is receiving $49.7 million for the second stage of planning under the Federal Railroad Administration’s Corridor Identification and Development Program. The Cascadia project would connect Seattle to Portland and Vancouver in under an hour, with trains traveling up to 250 mph.
The second stage of planning for the project includes a study of potential ridership, route options and environmental considerations.
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Even Small Places Can Have Public Transport: A Study in Switzerland
Unlike the selective transportation planning common in the U.S. and Canada, Switzerland prioritizes urban development around public transportation, resulting in more walkable communities, sustainable growth, and enhanced overall mobility.
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Luncheon: Lessons From Japan’s Shinkansen “Bullet Trains”
When: Tuesday, January 7, 2025 @ 12:00 PM
Where: Maggiano’s Little Italy, 516 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654
Our keynote speaker will be Naohisa Kitada, the General Manager of the Central Japan Railway Company’s office in Washington, DC.
The Multiple Unit Philosophy – Stadler’s Approach to Modernizing Passenger Rail
When: Friday, January 10 at 12pm CT on Zoom
In an exchange between Stadler US and the High Speed Rail Alliance, Stadler’s Head of Engineering, Jens Steger, and Sales Executive Project Assistant, Margaret Wardell, will provide a presentation outlining the benefits and considerations for the multiple unit design compared to push-pull locomotives for commuter and high-speed transport. Stadler will highlight critical differences and trade-offs as part of an objective comparison between the two designs. While push-pull has been the status quo in North America for some time, Stadler US is eager to start and support conversations about leveraging more efficient, effective, and cost-conscious models for operations, effectively enriching communities and the greater transit world.
What’s up With Britain’s HS2 High-Speed Rail Project?
When: February 21 at 12pm CT on Zoom
The UK has long been a world leader in rail infrastructure, and HS2 represents the largest investment in the rail network since the Victorian era. It is a huge undertaking that brings with it challenges and opportunities. With Phase 1 of the project at peak construction, hear from members of HS2’s Public Affairs team on the latest from the program, the political and communications challenges, and much more!
Thank You Siemens Mobility!
Thank you to Siemens Mobility for its corporate partnership with the High Speed Rail Alliance in 2024.
As a leader in transport solutions for more than 160 years, Siemens Mobility is constantly innovating its portfolio in its core areas of rolling stock, rail automation and electrification, turnkey systems, as well as related services. In the United States, Siemens Mobility is delivering seamless, sustainable, and reliable Buy-America transportation solutions to mobility operators across the nation that enhance passenger experience and guarantee availability.
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