System Overview
National HSR Vision
High-Speed Train Concept
National HSR Vision
Fully Integrated, Multi-layered National Rail System - 27,359 km (17,000 miles) built in 4 Phases
Source: US High Speed Rail Association, 21st Century Transportation for America
I-20X Corridor
High-Speed Train Concept
National HSR Vision
Overall Dallas-Atlanta: 816 miles (1313 km)
Dallas-Shreveport: 222 miles (357 km)
Shreveport-Jackson: 217 miles (349 km)
Jackson-Birmingham: 237 miles (381 km)
Birmingham-Atlanta: 146 miles (235 km)
High-Speed Train Concept
High-Speed Train Concept
High-Speed Train Concept
Utilize the latest high-speed rail technology on dedicated tracks (i.e. no sharing with freight or other passenger rail services), with speeds up to or over 200 mph (~322 km/h), capable of 4-5 hours commute time between the bookend destinations.
HIGH-SPEED RAIL BENEFITS
Job Creation
Environmental
Environmental
Developing I-20X within the South region is an important element for continued metropolitan expansion in the South. This metropolitan expansion has the potential to create a scale of geography for the formation of megaregions that will significantly expand economic growth. Key benefits of I-20X include but not limited to:
- Serves as catalyst for revitalization of local communities
- $billions in real estate development around station sites
- $millions to $billions in new tax revenues annually (local and state)
- Thousands of local jobs during construction including associated “economic multiplier”
- Hundreds of permanent jobs, including operations and maintenance, customer service, retail, goods and services supply, etc.
Post-pandemic mega job creation!
Environmental
Environmental
Environmental
Powered by electricity, HSR is the only available mode of long-distance travel that is currently not dependent on motor fuels. In addition, HSR offers greater operating efficiency on a per passenger mile basis than single-occupancy automobiles or airplanes that require significant amounts of fuel just to get off the ground.
Reduced Emissions by significantly decreasing automobile travel. Over 7,000 people on average travel daily between Atlanta and Birmingham. The environmental impact of a HSR between those two metropolitan areas alone would be remarkable.
Improve Public Transit
Improve Public Transit
Improve Public Transit
Safety & Reliability. HSR systems utilizing dedicated tracks, have demonstrated superior safety records around the world. HSR built in the United States that meets or exceed historic safety standards, would result in significantly reduced transport-related injuries and deaths.
Reduced Travel Times. Studies have shown that HSR is the preferred mode of travel over existing air and ground options between city pairs up to 500 miles apart. In addition to speed, comfort, and reliability, HSR provides transportation in which safety is unparalleled.
This new way of living would be one where automobile emissions are on the decline, where car accidents are consistently reduced annually, where not only are you getting somewhere safely and fast, but you are able to accomplish work or business while enroute.
Economic Development
Improve Public Transit
Improve Public Transit
Aid economic activity by expanding tourism and visitor spending. Just as airports bring visitors and their spending power into local economies, HSR have demonstrated to do the same.
Improve employment opportunities by connecting communities within the region with business districts and job centers, HSR will expand labor markets, giving employers access to larger pools of skilled workers, employees access to more employment options, and workers access to more and cheaper housing options outside of expensive city centers.
Foster new industry and job creation in design, engineering, planning, and construction, and offer hundreds of permanent jobs in ongoing maintenance, operations, and services. Similar to the automotive industry in the Southeast, HSR investment will stimulate development of new manufacturing industries for rail cars and other equipment, and, generate large amounts of related employment.
Improve wages and productivity by allowing freer movement within the region thus reducing travel time and costs. By improving access to urban markets, HSR increases opportunities for employment, wages, and productivity.
Real estate development will see growth near station sites. New urban centers around station sites will generate growth in real estate investment. Commercial and residential developments that enhance and align with urban design strategies will be supported to ensure high levels of ridership and economic activity.
Generate Increased tax revenues from ticket sales, property tax increments from real estate development around station sites, and additional sales tax from incremental travel and economic activity.
Reduced public expenses. Diverting travel from automobile to HSR will significantly curtail future increases in expenses related to road maintenance and capacity increases, reducing the burden on taxpayers.
