J401

March 13, 2009

1047 words

Most information about operating high-speed rail corridors comes from other countries. Many countries in Europe and East Asia have multiple operating high-speed rail lines, but the United States only has one. Historically, it has depended mostly on automobiles for transportation. Also, freight companies owning most of the rail lines has always made passenger rail inconvenient in America (Source Notes 14).

Now the United States has over 300 million people. Traffic jams and the price of gas are putting them in a pinch. Should the U.S. Department of Transportation develop the 10 high-speed rail corridors it designated in 2002?

There were 11 high-speed rail corridors designated in the 1990’s. They never went anywhere. The High-Speed Rail Investment Act of 2001 supplied Amtrak with $12 billion in federal funds to distribute to companies that would help develop routes within the high-speed rail corridors (Source Notes 12). In the early 21^st century, a high-speed rail line between Boston and Washington D.C. was built. With the re-authorization of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21^st Century in 2001, The Federal Rail Administration re-designated 10 corridors in 2002 (Source Notes 17). Those routes are in the most populated inter-city corridors across the United States.

In 2008, California became the first place to authorize a high-speed rail line outside of the Boston-Washington corridor. In a piece of legislation called Proposition 1A, Californians voted to build an 800 mile high-speed rail line from San Diego to Sacramento (Source Notes 2). The first leg of the project will run from Anaheim to San Francisco, with San Diego and Sacramento being added to the system later (Source Notes 27). Since California is often a trend-setting state, Proposition 1A is a big sign of the increasing political acceptance of high-speed rail investment.

Using private companies to help the government develop high-speed rail lines is one idea the national government has come up with. The High-Speed Rail Investment Act gave Amtrak, America’s national rail provider, the power to hand out $12 billion in tax credits to companies that help develop high-speed rail (Source Notes 12). The Republican Committee on Transportation publicly supported the idea of the Department of Transportation using private development (Source Notes 8). The private sector has always played a pivotal role in providing public services.

Another idea is to reinvest in roads. High-speed rail is too expensive, especially when the U.S. is entering a recession. The government is having trouble funding the High-Speed Rail Investment Act of 2001 (Source Notes 12). The Reason Foundation, a Libertarian think tank, criticized the expectations for the California project as over-exaggerated (Source Notes 9).

State investment is another option for investing in high-speed rail. The California project is coming out of state and private funds. Karen Rae, of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, stated that state investment is the best option (Source Notes 14). Even a spokesman for Amtrak concluded that federal designation of high-speed rail corridors meant that states were free to spend their own money on them (Source Notes 14). Still, the Acella Express train in the Boston-Washington Corridors shows that inter-state or national investment in a corridor can happen if the population is high enough.

My answer to the question of high-speed rail development is to limit federal development to the most populated corridors, with more efficient conventional rail serving less populated areas. Focusing on high-speed rail between the biggest cities can maximize ridership and revenue, which can help ease the country into further development.

The Northeast Corridor between Boston and Washington D.C. should be sped up. The Southeast Corridor should run from Washington D.C. to Atlanta. Chicago should be the hub of lines going to Cleveland, Detroit, and Milwaukee. A triangular route between Dallas, San Antonio, and Houston in the South Central Corridor would also be a good idea. The California line between Los Angeles and San Francisco will pay off. Miami and Orlando should be linked. These are all major inter-city corridors that can fully utilize high-speed rail.

The current tracks are too crowded. New tracks should be installed specifically for passenger rail. According to Bob Melbo, freight trains are often too heavy, and damage lines too much for use by passenger trains (Source Notes 29). To reach the fastest speed, the tracks have to be immaculate. Governing Magazine agreed that the biggest problem for high-speed rail is that it has to share the tracks with freight trains (Source Notes 14). Dedicated tracks will make high-speed rail more efficient.

High-speed rail technology can only be useful if correctly utilized. Mickail Chester, a researcher for the Institute of Transportation Studies, warned that without the full ridership, high-speed trains’ environmental performance would worsen (Source Notes 26). They need to be fully utilized. Also, they are best utilized in shorter trips. According Yoav Hagler, a research intern at Columbia University, the efficiency gap of high-speed rail is between 200 and 400 miles (Source Notes 24). Any closer and cars are better. Any farther, and airplanes are better. High-speed rail makes a nice middle ground.

One counter to my answer is that it would cost to much. The largest cost in high-speed rail is track development. Building dedicated tracks would cost more than refurbishing existing ones. The Reason Foundation agrees that track development would cost too much (Source Notes 9). The United States is in a recession.

Another argument is that high-speed rail lines wouldn’t be used enough to pay off. Mark Bernhard, a transportation system planner for Eugene, remarked that the city is not big enough to warrant high-speed rail (Source Notes 25). The Reason Foundation predicted that the expected revenue would be realized in the California project (Source Notes 9). Many cities in the United States are too far apart.

The high-speed rail lines I support are all in major metropolitan areas where ridership can be maximized. Every one of the cities in the corridors I identified is in the top 50 in terms of population. I’ve restricted development to the most low-risk areas.

Despite the high cost, high-speed rail will create thousands of jobs building, operating, and maintaining the routes. Also, all the jobs will go to Americans. It’s the same strategy used at the end of the last recession. The United States’ manufacturing industry would get a much needed boost. If it worked in one recession, it can work in another.

Source Notes 1 – journalistic/article

Source Notes 2 – journalistic/article

Source Notes 3 – journalistic/article

Source Notes 4 – journalistic/article

Source Notes 5 – journalistic/video

Source Notes 6 – institutional/press release

Source Notes 7 – institutional/summary

Source Notes 8 – institutional/press release

Source Notes 9 – institutional/committee report

Source Notes 10 – institutional/press release

Source Notes 11 – academic/periodical article

Source Notes 12 – academic/periodical article

Source Notes 13 – academic/think tank article

Source Notes 14 – institutional/magazine article

Source Notes 15 – institutional/periodical article

Source Notes 16 – journalistic/newspaper article

Source Notes 17 – institutional/map

Source Notes 18 – citizen/video on a blog

Source Notes 19 – journalistic/newspaper article

Source Notes 20 – citizen/picture on a blog

Source Notes 21 – citizen/blog entry

Source Notes 22 – journalistic/video

Source Notes 23 – academic research/map

Source Notes 24 – institutional/graph

Source Notes 25 – citizen/interview

Source Notes 26 – academic research/graph

Source Notes 27 – citizen/interview

Source Notes 28 – institutional/video

Source Notes 29 – citizen/interview

Source Notes 30 – journalistic/video

Summary:

WKYC News in Cleveland, Ohio made a short video documentary about how the state’s high-speed rail plans are gaining momentum after Obama’s stimulus plan.  This source documents why Ohio, one of the most populated high-speed rail corridors, is ready for high-speed rail development.

Topic:

High-Speed Rail Policy

Category:

journalistic

What is it?

a video

Publication Information:

The name of the publication is WKYC News.  The video was uploaded on February 22, 2009 from Cleveland, Ohio

Author:

no author listed

Location:

http://video.aol.com/video-detail/focus-high-speed-rail-suddenly-on-fast-track-for-cleveland/1918001594

Accessed:

March 7, 2009

Support:

Eric Czetli, a representative of the Ohio Department of Transportation

Frank Jackson, mayor of Cleveland

Tom Sawyer, a Senator from Ohio

Sarah Evans, a Ohio rail passenger

Amy Deangelis, an Ohio rail passenger

Don Plusquellic, mayor of Akron

Sharrod Brown, a Senator from Ohio

Ken Prendergast, the leader of “All Aboard Ohio”

Eric Czetli said that high-speed rail is feasible in Ohio.  Frank Jackson is also supportive of high-speed rail.  Tom Sawyer said that after thirty years there is still contention on the issue of high-speed rail in the state legislature.  Sarah Evans said high-speed rail would be a good way to save money and not have to travel in the harsh weather.  Amy Deangelis said that offering more environmentally friendly trains would be great.  Don Plusquellic said that America needs to have the wisdom to provide mass transit like the rest of its competitors (other countries).  Sharron Brod said Ohio companies know how to build the supplies for high-speed rail, and that new projects would create jobs.  Ken Prendergast says the purpose of high-speed rail is to develop a low-mileage lifestyle in Ohio.

Audience and Agenda:

WKYC News’ website had approximately 197,000 visitors by the end of February.  The majority of visitors to WKYC are state residents looking for general information about Cleveland and Ohio in general.  They use WKYC for general interest stories, pictures, video, and audio.  They expect professional journalistic articles that provide general information to someone without much background knowledge.

WKYC is funded by the Gannett Company.  a national media holding company.  It addresses a general Ohioan audience.  It tries to provide professional stories that will entertain people and provide them with general information.

Usefulness:

This story is in a regional context, focusing on Ohio.  It was created by a news staff to inform people about recent developments in high-speed rail research.  Ohio is just one of the many U.S. regions that is signaling its readiness for high-speed rail.  The federal government will start paying more attention the more regions join the chorus.  Although it focuses on Ohioans, it is addressing a national audience about its readiness for high-speed rail.

It is making the argument that Ohio is populated enough to need another alternate form of mass transportation that moves people faster.  This is the same message coming form many different U.S. regions, all of which need federal funding.

The video leaves out any information that would dissuade investment into Ohio, like the fact that it’s not the most populated high-speed rail corridor.  Chicago might need it a bit more, but this is a video to support high-speed rail in Ohio.

Focusing on the midwest, this source relates to Source Notes 23 and Source Notes 19.  Being a video, this source relates to Source Notes 5, Source Notes 18, Source Notes 28, and Source Notes 22.

Works Cited:

“High-speed rail suddenly on fast track for Cleveland.”  AOL Video.  <http://video.aol.com/video-detail/focus-high-speed-rail-suddenly-on-fast-track-for-cleveland/1918001594>

“wkyc.com.”  Quantcast.  <http://www.quantcast.com/wkyc.com>

“WKYC-TV.”  Wikipedia.  <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WKYC>

Summary:

Bobo Melbo, who works for the Oregon Department of Transportation’s Rail Division, spoke about the current state and the future of high-speed rail both nationally and locally.  He is one of the most highly involved ODOT employees in passenger rail, and will be an integral part of any high-speed rail projects in the state of Oregon.

Topic:

High-Speed Rail Policy

Category:

citizen

What is it?

an interview

Publication Information:

Edward Stratton is the publisher of this interview.  He published it on March 5, 2009 in Eugene, Oregon.

Author:

Bob Melbo

Location:

audio recording

Accessed:

March 5, 2009

Support:

Bob Melbo, a rail planner for the Oregon Department of Transportation’s Rail Division

Robert Sanchez, a former engineer for a Metrolink train

Mitch Greenlick, a State Representative from Oregon

David Wu, a Democratic Representative of the House from Oregon

Ron Wyden, a Democratic Senator from Oregon

Patty Murray, a Democratic Senator from Washington

Bob Melbo first said that even the Acella express couldn’t reach over 110 miles per hour because of curves in the tracks.  He explained that to even go over 80 miles per hour, a train needs an auto-override function to compensate for human errors.  He then referenced Robert Sanchez.  He said Sanchez was the engineer of a Metrolink train that crashed into a Union Pacific freight train, killing 25 people in California.  Bob then explained that the crash created a requirement of an auto-override function on all trains that will be in place by 2014.  He said that would Allow for 90 mile per hour trains, which would be good enough for the northwest.

Bob said that at-grade crossings would have to be eliminated for safety reasons.  He explained that most people are worried about trains being on time then they are about them being faster.  Bob then talked about cost and safety issues being the main impediments to high-speed rail.

Among the politicians Bob said were more involved in high-speed rail was Mitch Greenlich, a State Representative from Portland.  He also said that David Wu was friendly to passenger rail, as well as Ron Wyden.  Patty Murray, a Senator from Washington, was another regional politician he said was instrumental in raising funds for passenger rail in her state.

Audience and Agenda:

The audience for this interview was just Edward Stratton.  He is a college student with extensive background knowledge about high-speed rail.  He expected in-depth information on developments in the northwest corridor, and connections to national politicians.  Other audiences Bob Melbo might be addressing are politicians, private rail companies, and rail advocates.

Bob Melbo is funded by the Oregon Department of Transportation’s Rail Division.  He is trying to provide accurate answers that reflect the reality of rail in Oregon.

Usefulness:

This interview was in both a national and local context.  Bob spoke about national projects and developments in the northwest.

This interview was made by a student looking for more in-depth information from a person involved in planning potential rail lines.  He was addressing a college student, so his answers weren’t very complicated.  He didn’t know that the student had background knowledge about high-speed rail.

He is making the argument that slower high-speed trains would be fine for the northwest.  My source question will have to deal with the question of how fast trains will be, which is directly related to how much money will have to be spent on the tracks.

He seemed reluctant to give me an estimate on Oregon’s investment in high-speed rail.  At the end of the interview, he said that Oregon had invested about $30 million in high-speed rail.  He was probably a little embarrassed, since Oregon is so far behind other states in investment.

Focusing on the northwest, this source relates to Source Notes Source Notes 25.  Being an interview, this source relates to Source Notes 25 and Source Notes 27.

Works Cited:

“Staff Contacts.”  ODOT Rail.  <http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/RAIL/staffcontacts.shtml>

ODOT Rail.  <http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/RAIL/index.shtml>

Summary:

Newlands & Company created a video for the California High-Speed Rail Authority visualizing the route between Anaheim and Sacramento.  This source gives a video representation of what Proposition 1A, passed last February in California, will do.

Topic:

High-Speed Rail Policy

Category:

Institutional

What is it?

a video

Publication Information:

The California High-Speed Rail Authority published the video.  It was posted on YouTube on May 18, 2008.

Author:

NC3D (Newlands & Company)

Location:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZ_pz_-sSYQ&eurl=http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=high-speed+rail&emb=0&aq=f

Accessed:

March 5, 2009

Support:

NC3D, Newlands & Company 3D Animation

California High-Speed Rail Authority,  a high-speed rail organization in California

NC3D created the video.  The California High-Speed Rail Authority gave NC3D the information to make the video.  They also published the finished video.  There was no other support.  The rest of the video was just futuristic 3D renderings.

Audience and Agenda:

The California High-Speed Rail Authority’s site had approximately 3,400 visitors by the end of January.  Most of those visitors were male, older than 35, childless, earning up to $100,000, and college educated.  They were looking for general information about the new California high-speed rail line.  They expected a variety of media including text, visuals, and audio.

The California High-Speed Rail Authority is funded by the California state government.  The state government wanted an entity that could focus on high-speed rail research and development.

Usefulness:

This source is in a regional context, focusing on California.  This video was created by the California High-Speed Rail Authority because it would give viewers a more exciting view of the new line, which would supposedly increase their support of it.

Ultimately, this source is addressing a national audience interested in high-speed rail, because California is a trend-setting region and the second route outside the northeast.

This video indirectly argues how great the new line will be.  It gives the view that areas around high-speed rail will build up.  This argument supports one of my assumptions: high-speed rail will create more jobs and lead to a higher standard of living in areas around the lines.

This video is a fluff piece.  It leaves out almost all factual information about how much the line will cost or how long it will take.

Focusing on the California corridor, this source relates to Source Notes 2, Source Notes 3, Source Notes 9, Source Notes 11, and Source Notes 17.  Being a video, this source relates to Source Notes 5, Source Notes 18, Source Notes 30, and Source Notes 22.

Works Cited:

“California High Speed Rail Visual Tour.”  YouTube.  <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZ_pz_-sSYQ&eurl=http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=high-speed+rail&emb=0&aq=f>

YouTube.  <http://www.youtube.com/>

“About.”  The California High-Speed Rail Authority.  <http://www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov/about/>

“cahighspeedrail.ca.gov.”  Quantcast.  <http://www.quantcast.com/cahighspeedrail.ca.gov>

Summary:

Quentin Kopp, Chairman of the California High-Speed Rail Authority, explained the costs of the California project passed in February 2008 and the state of high-speed rail nationally.  This source elicits the views of a high-speed rail authority leader in California, which just started the second high-speed rail project in the United States’ history.

Topic:

High-Speed Rail Policy

Category:

citizen

What is it?

an interview

Publication Information:

Edward Stratton is the medium conveying this interview.  The interview was published on March 3, 2008 in Eugene, Oregon.

Author:

Quentin Kopp

Location:

audio recording

Accessed:

March 3, 2008

Support:

Quentin Kopp, Chairman of the California High-Speed Rail Authority

John Kerry, a Democratic Senator from Massachusetts

Arlen Spector, a Republican Senator from Pennsylvania

Tom Carper, a Democratic Senator from Delaware

Jim Oberstar, a Democratic-Farm Labor Representative of the House from Minnesota

John Mica, a Republican Representative of the House from Florida

Barack Obama, President of the United States

Quentin Kopp explained that the total cost of the California high-speed rail project would be approximately $43 billion.  He also said that the main objections against high-speed rail are the costs, annoyance about high-speed rail noise in urban areas, and ignorance concerning the issue.  He also said that John Kerry, Arlen Specter, Tom Carper, Jim Oberstar,  and John Mica are the members of Congress most involved with developing high-speed rail.  He also said that President Obama is the biggest supporter of high-speed rail.  He also said that the new Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood, will be visiting California to learn more about its high-speed rail project.  He ended by saying that federal revenue to educate the population should be set aside, because approximately 80 percent of Americans don’t know what high-speed rail is.

Audience and Agenda:

The interview had one audience member.  That member was a college student with considerable knowledge about the issues surrounding high-speed rail in the United States.  He expected information and contacts from a biased professional advocating high-speed rail.

Quentin Kopp is funded by the California High-Speed Rail Authority.  The California High-Speed Rail Authority is funded by the California Department of Transportation.  The California Department of Transportation is funded by California’s state congress.  He is trying to provide effective answers that are in line with the goals of all of those government entities.

Usefulness:

This story is in both a regional and national context, focusing on California’s project and national political support for it.  The source was created by a researching student looking for professional opinions.  Kopp did not know the student had much background knowledge on high-speed rail.

The content of the Kopp’s answers focus on the in-depth information the college student is searching for.  He is always making the argument that high-speed rail is the right transportation system to develop.  Since he works for a high-speed rail authority, there was a very low chance of him not backing high-speed rail as the first transportation option.

He leaves out any information about political opposition to Proposition 1A from the California governor trying to balance the budget.  He also doesn’t point out any failures relating to past high-speed rail projects.  Kopp is obviously trying to increase the support for high-speed rail in anybody that he talks to.

Focusing on California, this source relates to Source Notes 2, Source Notes 3, Source Notes 9, Source Notes 11, and Source Notes 17.  Focusing on the views of one or more politicians, this source relates to Source Notes 22, Source Notes 8, and Source Notes 6.  Being an interview, this source relates to Source Notes 25 and Source Notes 27.

Works Cited:

“Quentin Kopp.”  Wikipedia.  <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quentin_Kopp>

“Contact the California High-Speed Rail Authority.”  California High-Speed Rail Authority.  <http://www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov/contact.htm>

(Institute of Transportation Studies, 10/27/2008)

Summary:

The Institute of Transportation Studies out of the University of California Berkeley published a graph on October 17, 2008 showing the greenhouse gas emissions per mile traveled of various forms of transportation.  This is an important source because it gives another reason (environmental friendliness) for the government to be interested in high-speed rail.

Topic:

High-Speed Rail

Category:

Academic Research

What is it?

a graph

Publication Information:

The name of the publication is the Institute of Transportation Studies.  The graph was published in October 17, 2008 in Berkeley, California.

Author:

no author listed

Location:

http://www.its.berkeley.edu/newsbits/fall2008/lcaemissions.html

Accessed:

March 3, 2009

Support:

Mikhail Chester, a former Civil and Environmental Engineering grad student

Arpad Horvath, a CEE Associate Professor

Cristiano Facanha, another Berkeley student with the Institute of Transportation Studies

Mikhail Chester created the report on the greenhouse gas emissions of different forms of transportation.  He says that without the expected high-volume ridership, the California high-speed Rail project’s environmental performance will worsen.  Arpad Horvath helped Chester create the report.  Cristiano Facanha created a related report with Horvath about the efficiency of high-speed freight travel.

Audience and Agenda:

The Review of the Institute of Transportation Studies has an unspecified readership of 5,000.  Its readers are mostly other academics looking for informational sources on transportation studies.  They expect professional articles geared toward people with previous subject knowledge.

The Institute of Transportation, which published the graph, is funded by the University of California Berkeley.  They are trying to give information to other transportation specialists, and affect policy.

Usefulness:

The graph is in a global context, analyzing different forms of transportation used by the entire planet and using information from pre-existing high-speed rail routes in Europe.  It shows how efficient high-speed trains around the world have been.

It was created by a student to affect policy and give professionals a criterion for high-speed rail to be affective.  It is addressing an audience of transportation specialists, and also politicians having a hard time deciding if high-speed rail is worth the investment.  The graph makes the argument that high-speed rail is more environmentally friendly than cars or planes, but the report says that only applies if ridership is maximized.

Surprisingly, it leaves out information about the efficiency of the northeast corridor.  That might be because the California corridor will use an electrified train, unlike the Acella train from Boston to Washington.

Focusing on high-speed rail technology, this source relates to Source Notes 13, Source Notes 18, and Source Notes 24.  Being an image, this source relates to Source Notes 23, Source Notes 20, Source Notes 17,  and Source Notes 24.

Works Cited:

“Institute of Transportation Studies.”  University of California Berkeley.  <http://www.its.berkeley.edu/>

“NewsBITS.”  Institute of Transportation Studies.  <http://www.its.berkeley.edu/newsbits/fall2008/lcaemissions.html>

“Ulrichsweb.com.”  Ulrich’s Periodical Directory.  <http://www.ulrichsweb.com/ulrichsweb/>

Summary:

Mark Bernhard explained to me both why and why not high-speed in the Northwest corridor is feasible after the latest economic stimulus package last February.  Mark is a stake holder, planning transportation systems for an entire county that lies at the end of a designated high-speed rail corridor.

Topic:

High-Speed Rail Policy

Category:

citizen

What is it?

an interview

Publication Information:

Edward Stratton is the medium conveying this interview.  The interview was analyzed on March 2, 2009 in Eugene, Oregon.

Author:

Mark Bernhard

Location:

audio recording

Accessed:

March 2, 2009

Support:

Mark Bernhard, interviewee

Amtrak, passenger rail company

Savanna Crawford, a planner for ODOT

Mark Bernhard explained why high-speed trains are seen as important.  He also said that it would take a federal or a multi-state approach to fund high-speed rail.  He also said that there are a couple of reasons rail is becoming more palatable: a lower carbon footprint and shrinking air travel routes.  Mr. Bernhard said the biggest problem with starting with high-speed rail is its high cost, especially in upgrading and building new railroad lines that can run high-speed rail.  He said a connection from Seattle to Portland Makes the most sense, and that conventional rail might be an easier investment.  He also said that a connection from Eugene to Sacramento isn’t feasible because the only Amtrak line goes through the Siskyou Mountains, which are too curvy.  He ended by saying that Savannah Crawford, a planner for the Oregon Department of Transportation would be a good person to contact about high-speed rail.

Audience and Agenda:

The audience was one student who was fairly knowledgeable on the issues surrounding high-speed rail.  The student expected an objective, in-depth opinion from a transportation planner not directly connected to either side of the issue.

Mark Bernhard is payed by Lane County.  The county tries tailors responses to address its citizens.  They are trying to provide effective answers, realistic answers.

Usefulness:

This interview entered local, state, and regional contexts, focusing on Eugene, Oregon, and the Portland-Seattle corridor.  This source was created through the questions of a student looking for certain information.

Mark Bernhard was trying to give the student a realistic view of why high-speed transit might be a good option for the largest metro areas only.  He was addressing a student with a fair amount of background information on high-speed rail, so he had to be straight.

He made the argument that while high-speed rail would work for the most populated areas, Eugene is not big enough to include a line.  Focusing on only the most populated areas has been a developing point of my research.

Focusing on Oregon, this source relates to Source Notes 29.  Being an interview, this source relates to Source Notes 29 and Source Notes 27.

Works Cited:

Mark Bernhard.  Lane County Transportation System Planning.  <http://www.co.lane.or.us/TransPlanning/>

“Contacts – Lane County.”  Lane County, Oregon.  <http://www.co.lane.or.us/contacts.htm>

Summary:

America2050 published a graph in June 2008 displaying the utility of different modes of transportation at varying distances.  This source is important because it displays the most efficient ways the government could use various forms of transportation, including high-speed rail, at increasing distances.

Topic:

High-Speed Rail

Category:

institutional

What is it?

a graph

Publication Information:

The name of the publication is America 2050.  The graph was published on June 26, 2008.

Author:

Yoav Hagler

Location:

http://www.america2050.org/2008/06/filling-the-transportation-eff.html

Accessed:

March 1, 2008

Support:

Yoav Hagler, research intern at America2050

Yoav Hagler published the image in his Master’s thesis at Columbia University.

Audience and Agenda:

America2050′s website has no listed number of recent visitors.  The type of people visiting America2050 are planners, scholars, and policy-makers looking for information on issues of transportation between the largest metropolitan regions of the United States.  They expect professional articles, releases, reports, graphs, diagrams, and sources giving in-depth information on inter-metropolitan issues.

America2050, and thus the publication of the image, are funded by The Rockefeller Foundation, The Surdna Foundation, The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, The William Penn Foundation, The Ford Foundation, and The J.M. Kaplan Fund.  It is addressing an audience of academics looking for information about issues facing large metropolitan areas.  It is an academic extension of its funding partners trying to affect policy through promoting the research of various organizations.

Usefulness:

This image is in a global context, focusing on multiple forms of transportation over increasing distances that could span the world.  It can help policymakers decide at which distances to use what forms of transportation.

The document was published with the permission of the funding foundations to give a visual representation of what forms of transportation would be best for certain distances.  It is addressing an audience of academics wanting support for arguments about which forms of transportation would be best for cities, regions, states, and cross-country travel.  It is also indirectly addressing politicians who might be deciding on whether to invest in roads, airports, or rail.

It is arguing that cars are more efficient over shorter distances, high-speed rail is more efficient over medium to long distances, and air travel is more efficient over long distances.  This graph gives support to the view that high-speed rail would be good for shorter inter-city trips.

There are no specific numbers for the independent variable, distance.  It also doesn’t list the criteria behind the dependent variable, utility.  That information is probably included in the text of the report.  The graph is just meant to establish an initial interest in what types of transportation to use at certain distances.

Dealing with high-speed rail technology, this source relates to Source Notes 13, Source Notes 26, and Source Notes 18.  Being an image, this source relates to Source Notes 23, Source Notes 26, Source Notes 20, and Source Notes 17.

Works Cited:

“Filling the Transportation Efficiency Gap.”  America2050.  <http://www.america2050.org/2008/06/filling-the-transportation-eff.html>

America2050.  <http://www.america2050.org/>

“About Us.”  America2050.  <http://www.america2050.org/about.html>

(Mineta Transportation Institute, October 2005)

Summary:

The Mineta Transportation Institute out of San Jose State University published an image detailing a possible rail network in the Ohio and Lake Erie region.  This source provides a visual for the northern Midwest region, which is one of the corridors closest to receiving federal funds for high-speed rail.

Topic:

High-Speed Rail Policy

Category:

Academic

What is it?

a map

Publication Information:

The name of the publication is the Mineta Transportation Institute.  The map was posted in October 2005 in San Jose.

Authors:

Allison Cerreno, Daniel Evans, and Howard Permut

Location:

http://transweb.sjsu.edu/mtiportal/research/publications/documents/deCerreno/hsr_de%20cerreno.htm#pgfId-1018292

Accessed:

February 28, 2009

Support:

Ohio Rail Transportation Authority, a government transportation agency in Ohio

Ohio Department of Transportation Rail Division, a rail agency in Ohio

Ohio High-Speed Rail Authority, a rail association in Ohio

Ohio Rail Development Commission, a rail commission established by the Ohio State Legislature in 1994

Federal Highway Administration, a national transportation agency

Michigan Department of Transportation, the transportation department of Michigan

The Ohio Rail Transportation Authority researched plans for passenger rail to be presented to Ohio voters.  The Ohio Department of Transportation took over ORTA’s responsibilities in 1983.  The Ohio High-Speed Rail Authority was created in 1985 to help develop a statewide high-speed rail system.  The Ohio Rail Development Commission was created in 1994 to address issues with establishing additional statewide passenger and freight rail, and lobbied for the establishment of a corridor between Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Columbus that would be connected to a Chicago hub.  They also requested federal funds in 2001 to research a Detroit-Pittsburg corridor that would connect to a Cleveland hub.  Along with ODOT, the Federal Highway Administration granted the funds to the Ohio Rail Development Commission.  The Michigan Department of Transportation also helped with the study of the Cleveland hub connections.

Audience and Agenda:

The Mineta Transportation Institute’s site has no listed number of viewers.  The main visitors to its website are other academics looking for information on national intermodal surface transportation issues.  They expect professional studies, articles, and releases with in-depth research into various transportation issues.

The Mineta Research Institute was founded by Congress in 1991.  It is funded by Congress through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Research and Innovative Technology Administration, which channels funding through the California Department of Transportation.  It is trying to address an audience of academics involved in researching alternative modes of high-speed ground transportation.  It is trying to affect high-speed transportation policy through its research.

Usefulness:

This source is in a regional context, focusing on the Ohio area.  The Ohio corridor is part of the Chicago Hub Network, which is the largest designated corridor in the country.

The document was created by the Mineta Research Institute to detail the routes of a possible rail network in the Ohio and Lake Erie region.  The most populous regions will recieve the most high-speed rail funds.

The report is trying to address an audience interested in affecting policies on developing alternative modes of intermodal high-speed ground transportation, including high-speed rail.  This is the kind of source that can affect a major policymaker’s stance on high-speed rail.

This source leaves out any funding information, since it focuses on research of possible routes and not the reality of paying for them.  The research will always come first in any project, so this source is a good start.

Focusing on the northern Midwest region, this source relates to Source Notes 5, Source Notes 11, Source Notes 17, and Source Notes 19.  Being an image, this source relates to Source Notes 26, Source Notes 20, Source Notes 17, and Source Notes 24.

Works Cited:

Mineta Transportation Institute.  <http://transweb.sjsu.edu/>

“About Us.”  Mineta Transportation Institute.  <http://www.transweb.sjsu.edu/MTIportal/about/index.html>

“Mineta Transportation Institute.”  Wikipedia.  <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mineta_Transportation_Institute>

“High-Speed Rail Projects In The United States: Identifying Elements For Success.”  Mineta Transportation Institute.  <http://transweb.sjsu.edu/mtiportal/research/publications/documents/deCerreno/HSR_de%20Cerreno.htm>

Summary:

1600 Pennsylvania Avanue reported that Governor Bobby Jindal, who criticized Obama’s stimulus bill giving money to high-speed rail, has asked the federal government for funds for high-speed rail.  This source details part of the Gulf Coast corridor designated by the U.S. Department of Transportation in 2002.

Topic:

High-Speed Rail Policy

Category:

journalistic

What is it?

a video

Publication Information:

The Program 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue of MSNBC published the video.  The video was published on March 2, 2009 in Washington D.C.

Author:

David Gregory

Location:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/29472088#29472088

Accessed:

March 8, 2009

Support:

anonymous, a spokesmen for the Louisiana Department of Transportation

Billy Jindal, Governor of Louisiana

William Ankner, Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Transportation

An anonymous spokesperson for LDOT said that the Louisiana state government requested $110 million for high-speed rail between New Orleans and Baton Rouge.  William Ankner was appointed to the department of transportation by Jindal and supports the proposed.  New Orleans-Baton Rouge project.  Jindal asked the federal government for high-speed rail money, after criticizing the stimulus bill for giving money to high-speed rail.

Audience and Agenda:

MSNBC’s website had approximately 12.8 million visitors at the end of January.  Most of the visitors to MSNBC’s website are above 18, childless, earn at least $60,000 per year, and have graduated from college.  They use MSNBC for recent and archived news stories on national issues.  They expect news stories geared towards people who do not have as much prior knowledge on a subject.

MSNBC is funded by NBC Universal and Microsoft.  It caters to a world audience looking for general interest periodicals.  It is trying to provide generalized news to the largest possible audience.

Usefulness:

This article is in a state context, focusing on Louisiana.  It is part of the larger Gulf Corridor, which connects to the Southeast Corridor.  The document was created by a news team wanting to entertain people with political gaffs. Louisiana’s governor asking for funds he originally campaigned against.  MSNBC might also have run the story to show how popular high-speed rail is becoming, considering a politician who once opposed it is now needing help to fund it. 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.  addresses the broadest of audiences who have very little background information.  It is trying to make the argument that the governor shouldn’t be hypocritical.  For those two reasons, the story is not very in-depth.  It forgets to state that New Orleans to Baton Rouge is part of one of the designated high-speed rail corridors.  Still, this source shows that even high-level politicians are more than willing to sacrifice their old views and invest in high-speed rail.

Focusing on one of the designated corridors, this source relates to Source Notes 11 and Source Notes 17.  Focusing on the opinion of one or more politicians, this source relates to Source Notes 6, Source Notes 8, and Source Notes 27.  Being a video, this source relates to Source Notes 5, Source Notes 18, Source Notes 30, and Source Notes 28.

Works Cited:

“MSNBC.”  Wikipedia.  <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MSNBC>

MSNBC.  <http://www.msnbc.msn.com/>

“1600 Pensylvania Avenue.”  MSNBC.  <http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23580538/>

“msnbc.msn.com.”  Quantcast.  <http://www.quantcast.com/msnbc.msn.com>