The U.S. is currently experiencing a surge in interest in high-speed railways, with projects such as the construction of the country’s first high-speed rail line between Las Vegas and southern California. Other proposals include lines linking Dallas to Houston and Fort Worth in Texas, sparking aspirations for similar projects in major hubs like Chicago. However, the U.S. still lags behind countries like China in terms of high-speed rail infrastructure, with China boasting the largest high-speed rail network in the world and a significantly higher number of passengers using these lines.
Chinese high-speed rail is primarily controlled by the state-run China State Railway Group, which has seen rapid expansion in recent years. By 2035, China’s high-speed rail network is projected to nearly double in length, reaching around 45,000 miles. The network not only connects existing settlements but also creates new ones, as part of a grand scheme envisioned by Chinese President Xi Jinping. In contrast, many proposed high-speed rail lines in the U.S. are still in the early stages of development and are yet to receive final approval, with some details unclear.
One of the proposed projects in the U.S. is the Dallas-Houston line, which aims to run trains at speeds of up to 240 mph, drastically reducing travel times between the two cities. Another proposed line is between Dallas and Fort Worth in Texas, with plans still in the preliminary stages. House Democrat Mike Quigley has also called for a high-speed rail line connecting Chicago to St. Louis, though formal plans have not been submitted. Despite these proposals, work on the U.S. high-speed rail lines is not expected to begin in the immediate future.
Professor Ian Savage, an expert in public transportation, suggests that while high-speed rail may make more sense for China due to its higher population density, there is a strong case for constructing networks in parts of Texas, such as the Texas triangle. The region’s rapid population growth and increased traffic congestion on highways have created a market opportunity for high-speed rail. Despite the challenges of implementing high-speed rail in a geographically large and spread-out country like the U.S., Texas may present a unique opportunity for the development of such infrastructure.
Overall, the U.S. is working towards catching up with other countries in terms of high-speed rail development, with several proposals in the pipeline. While the country still has a long way to go to match the scale of China’s high-speed rail network, the interest and investment in high-speed rail projects demonstrate a growing recognition of the importance of efficient and sustainable transportation infrastructure. Through collaboration between public and private sectors, the U.S. aims to enhance connectivity and mobility for its citizens, while also reducing travel times and easing congestion on highways.
