There's an excellent map of China's proposed rail system on the Transport Politic web site.
The web site's author, Yonah Freemark, points out that the U.S. can learn a lot from what China is doing because of the similar size of the two countries. But an even bigger reason to learn from China, says Freemark is that its rail network design is taking into consideration existing and slower-speed tracks, no unlike those already in place in the United States. In other words, China is building out a rail network that will consist of super fast bullet trains as well as moderately fast high speed rails.
Freemark says:
China’s example, then, demonstrates how an efficient and useful high-speed rail system can be implemented in a very large country such as the United States:
A large regional passenger rail network, operating at low-to-medium speeds (60-90 mph), must serve most of the country, reaching almost all destinations. This network could operate on cheaply upgraded freight track, which we in the United States are privileged to have in abundance.
A select few main lines, operating at high speeds (150-220 mph), should serve the country’s largest cities only, and the cities well positioned in between. This network would have to be built at great expense and virtually from scratch
Trains must be able to operate on both types of track, so that trains can take advantage of high-speed segments, but can also serve smaller destinations not directly on high-speed lines.
Map: Wikimedia Commons
Tags: Engineering, Public Transportation, Transportation, Transportation Infrastructure, Urban Planning
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