How fast is fast enough?: a comparative analysis of historical transportation systems and the California high speed rail

This study is to gain a better understanding of California’s high speed rail by placing it in the context of transportation changes in the United States of America. America has been transformed by its transportation systems and there appears to be a rational progression in transportation modes. Historically, the three key factors in transportation systems in the United States are technology, subsidies, and routes. Each plays an important role within the transportation system and its development. New transportation modes have shown remarkable achievements creating cities to expand and prosper with new technology. Every new technology has been subsidized with government funding through bonds, land grants or right-of-ways. Along with subsidies, new modes of transportation have shared existing routes that was once carved by foot paths, wagon routes, roadways, railroads, and highways. Underlying this progression, is the theoretical work by David Harvey. He believed the need to increase movement of transportation systems is sped up by a desire to get to businesses, locations and or commerce transactions quicker. In comparing U.S. transportation to the California High Speed Rail project, one emerging difference was concern for the environment. Although there were early conservation movements in transportation system building, the California high speed rail was subject to environmental legislation. The study shows that the California high speed rail is similar to other transportation modes by moving goods and passengers quickly to destinations. Technology advancements allowed for expedited travel however, the California High Speed Rail Authority scarified speed to save cost by choosing steel-wheel on steel-rail technology rather than faster maglev technology which is being used in European and Asian countries.