High-Speed Ground Transportation

Because many parts of the nation's highway and aviation systems are now reaching capacity, transportation planners must decide how best to meet future transportation needs. High-speed ground transportation systems (HSGT) could free up capacity on some of the nation's congested highways and airports. Such systems include trains and magnetic levitation systems capable of speeds of up to 150 mph. Legislation before Congress would boost federal funding of HSGT. This report describes HSGT technologies, analyzes issues relating to HSGT financing, and assesses HSGT's social benefits.

GAO found that: (1) the incremental HSGT approach provides a low-cost, near-term option for developing high-speed U.S. passenger service because rights-of-way between major cities already exist and funds for high speed rail systems are limited; (2) incremental HSGT costs will total about $10 million per mile and include the costs of eliminating grade crossing, improving track and signaling, modifying bridges, and electrifying rights-of-way; (3) many incremental costs will be avoided as more cost-effective technologies are developed; (4) freight railroads will likely request indemnification from liability for passenger train accidents and believe that incremental improvement programs outside the northeast corridor (NEC) will not significantly benefit their freight operations; (5) very high-speed rail and maglev systems will cost over $20 million per mile and require straight and level rights-of-way, substantially new infrastructures, and land acquisitions and technological development; (6) although the federal government has supported HSGT development in NEC and other areas, investors have avoided HSGT because it poses unacceptable risks; (7) substantial federal efforts to reduce HSGT risks might encourage private investment; (8) proposed legislation would increase federal assistance by $1.3 billion for HSGT corridor development and research over 5 years; (9) federal, state, and private-sector funds need to be strategically provided to a few, well-chosen improvement projects; and (10) the proposed legislation will require consideration of each project's estimated ridership, revenues, subsidy requirements, and social benefits.

Recommendations

Our recommendations from this work are listed below with a Contact for more information. Status will change from "In process" to "Open," "Closed - implemented," or "Closed - not implemented" based on our follow up work.

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