High speed rail infrastructure and development

High Speed Rail

Arguments in Favour of the New Line

Arguments Opposed to the New Line

This paper focuses on the proposed HS2 line, which would offer high-speed rail service from London to the West Midlands. It looks at several articles either opposing or supporting the rail service. The author begins with the hypothesis that HS2 can decrease overcrowding on current rail lines, and ease air and road congestion. That hypothesis is supported, even by those who oppose the project. However, there is disagreement about whether the project's tremendous costs are justified by its potential benefits.

The proposed HS2 line is very controversial. Its advocates believe that without an innovation like the HS2 line, rail travel in that corridor will be so congested that some travelers will be unable to access rail service within just a few years' time. Its opponents believe that the project is simply too expensive and that the projected increases in rail travel are based on unrealistic numbers.

Chapter 2: Hypothesis

New HS2 can decrease current overcrowdings on existed lines which connected London to west midlands and also it would decrease corresponding road and air traffic as well.

Chapter 3: Summary of the Articles

Better than HS2's article suggests that HS2 will not increase productivity or create jobs, as its proponents suggest it will. Instead, for many years it will actually cause slower train travel in many areas, due to construction-related delays. Moreover, any new jobs are likely to be in London. The group suggests that other alternatives can meet growing transportation needs without the expense or inconvenience of the proposed HS2 line. Bluespace Thinking's article does not support building the HS2 line. They believe that the economic case for the HS2 is not supported by the facts because the growth numbers used to justify the HS2 are not supported by the growth rates in the last 15 years, do not take into account the probable changes in commuting that will be brought about by increased telecommunication, and rely upon further demand created by HS2's existence. Furthermore, alternatives can provide 1/2 of the expected benefit of HS2, but at only 1/5 of the cost. The Department of Transportation believes that HS2 is important because of increased rail traffic, the need to plan for the future, the success of HS1, and the fact that the existing West Coast line will be overloaded by 2025. Greengauge 21 examines the potential benefits that the HS2 line will bring to existing routes. It believes that the effective reuse of the capacity released by HS2 is one of the key benefits to the project, because it will allow new local and regional passenger and new freight trains to operate, which cannot happen now because of capacity constraints. In HS2: Demand for long-distance travel, the author makes further arguments in favor of the HS2. Relatively high-earning people place a premium on time that increases demand for faster transportation. The author forecasts an increased demand for long-distance rail trips that comes down to .5 extra long distance rail trips per person per year, and an extra 2.5 long distance trips in any mode per person per year. They also forecast an increase in congestion on the roadways making car travel less appealing, though they do suggest that most future HS2 users would be switching from rail. In HS2: Valuing the benefits of HS2 (London-West Midlands), the authors consider the direct benefits and disbenefits to users, the wider economic impact, and other economic and social impacts arising from land use changes. The major benefits for users are journey time savings, reduced crowding, and improved reliability. Though HS2 would generate profits, it would cost the government money to implement it. Finally, Dr. J Savin conducted a financial analysis that does not support the HS2. He believes that the numbers supporting HS2 may claim 90% more traffic than is realistically possible. He also believes that the real costs of construction are hidden because of the government's accounting methods, so that it will actually cost more than its publicized amount.

Chapter 4: Arguments in Favour of the New Line

The primary argument in favor of the new line is that it will provide high speed rail service to an area that is projected to have demand for rail service exceed capacity within a very short time. There is also the argument that increased traffic congestion will make car travel a less viable option, making rail even more necessary. The HS2 project would also allow for the repurposing of the existing lines. Finally, the major benefits for users would be journey time savings, reduced crowding, and improved reliability.

Chapter 5: Arguments Opposed to the New Line