American High Speed Rail: The Wrong Solution
In 2020, the OECD released a report estimating that, absent new policies, greenhouse gasses will increase by 50% before 2050, killing an additional 14.5 million. That’s problematic because, aside from the Inflation Reduction Act (which was certainly not the miracle solution we needed), no relevant action has been taken in the United States, which has the highest carbon emissions per capita.
At the root of the GHG issue in America is a unique ‘Car Culture,’ the fundamental necessity for Americans to use their own personal cars as opposed to public transportation. 92% of American households own a vehicle, largely due to taxpayer subsidies, poor public transportation, and glamorized advertisements that have fundamentally engrained automobiles in our culture since 1896. This phenomenon, however, perpetuates a system of reliance on the oil industry, spearheaded by companies like ExxonMobil and Koch Industries, who can then in turn lobby for policies that ensure their dominance goes unchallenged.
As a last-ditch effort to save the environment, many policymakers, namely Representatives Seth Moulton and Suzan DelBene, introduced the American High Speed Rail Act last month.
This move would come after countries including China, Japan, Italy, and many more have built their own successful systems with tens of thousands of kilometers of lines in operation in the last two decades. Projections indicate that the entirely electrified rail system is immediately compatible with renewable technologies and has the potential to reduce GHG emissions significantly. Not only that, but it would also likely revive a slowly dying manufacturing industry, create upwards of 2.6 million jobs, fuel further green innovation, and increase accessibility for jobs and healthcare. The majority of Americans want some form of HSR to be implemented, so what’s not to love about it?
A lot.
It is important to understand that ‘Car Culture’ is unique to America – empirical examples of success in other countries occurred because they had an existing volume of conventional rail passengers who were already reliant on the system. In addition, the current projected fare is $86 a ride, which is more inexpensive than a monthly bus pass ($58 on average). The US also has a relatively low population density, which is why our cities are centered around cars; if built, HSR will not have sufficient ridership.
Unlike highways, HSR must travel in a relatively straight line and cannot have many changes in elevation to ensure safety and maintain speed. As such, in order to connect major cities and trade hubs, as it is intended to do, lines will disrupt local economies. Empirically, the California bullet train went through an extensive farming region, displacing many farmers through a process known as “Eminent Domain,” whereby the government can take private property for public use. The problem is that individuals subject to Eminent Domain, who are often racial and ethnic minorities, are often compensated unfairly and are not given the resources to relocate, perpetuating an institutional cycle of poverty.
Another issue is gentrification. Millions of Americans are currently struggling to pay their rent, which would go up even further (up to 32%) as HSR would fuel the demand for housing near transit hubs. In Fresno, for example, priced out and displaced residents in formerly low-income communities, pushing thousands into poverty.
Broadly speaking, HSR would not be cheap – the American High Speed Rail Act would cost upwards of $205 billion while a comprehensive federal system (pictured above) would cost trillions. The system would be paid for by deficit spending and taxpayers but would carry less than 2% of passenger travel at best. Undoubtedly, HSR will fuel inflation, increasing prices of goods for consumers across the country.
Ultimately, a solution to the American climate crisis is needed, but HSR is not it.
Additional Resources To Explore
https://reason.org/commentary/on-high-speed-rail-look-at-the-costs-and-results-before-you-leap/https://www.forbes.com/sites/adammillsap/2021/04/15/bidens-high-speed-rail-to-nowhere/?sh=3213e774108c
https://moulton.house.gov/news/press-releases/moulton-delbene-introduce-american-high-speed-rail-act