Over my career I’ve been involved with a few of these projects, generally from a systems engineering perspective. I’ve become very negative about their implementation for a variety of reasons.
The one currently in public view is the California HSR project, which the Govoner cancelled on Feb.12, 2019. Or maybe not, it’s just been “scaled back.”
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/History ... Speed_Rail
. Citing delays and cost overruns and lack of transparency from the project's leadership, Governor Gavin Newsom cancelled the project on February 12, 2019. However, Newsom said he wants to finish construction a segment already underway through California's Central Valley, arguing it would revitalize the economically depressed region. He also said he would replace the head of the state board that oversees the project and pledged more accountability for contractors that run over on costs.[1]
https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2019/02/14/tru ... oject.html
. An audit last year faulted California's High-Speed Rail Authority for "flawed decision making and poor contract management." A business plan released in early 2018 showed its projected baseline cost soared by up to 20 percent from two years earlier and indicated the cost could rise to nearly $100 billion.
HSR has also been called for in the Green New Deal and Amtrak is asking for $38 billions more to prop up the North East Corridor and increase access into NYC. Which does not include additional requests from PANYNJ, MetroNorth, LIRR, or the NYC subway system.
https://www.railwayage.com/news/nec-com ... 8-billion/
So we are not talking chump change here. Is this a wise investment? Does it substantially help global warming? I know my answers, what are your thoughts?