Re: HSR nuttiness
Author: mook
Date: 09-13-2010 - 21:38
There's already a "run-through tracks" project for LAUS. No reason it couldn't be used by HSR in a more reasonable world. Main problem is that they spent all their money on the environmental work then couldn't find enough to build it right away so nothing much has happened in the last year or so. If the HSR people would use some common sense (that obviously ain't so common) it might be good to use a bit of their money to finish the job - would help all the station users and even, eventually, HSR maybe.
I don't see any practical reason why HSR should be designed for 200+ mph in the middle of a major urban area, and certainly in the vicinity of a major terminal, which LAUS is whether they like it or not. Absolutely no reason to treat downtown LA like Fresno - Anaheim is just a place to park trains overnight. Speeds of 100-125 in town would be plenty, and are probably all that can be reasonably attained between LA and Anaheim anyway.
My biggest gripe re HSR is their absolute refusal to serve an airport. Nuts! Instead of Anaheim, they should end up at LAX. It's going to be right next to PMD anyway, and won't be far from BUR. If they do go to Anaheim it should end up at John Wayne -- plenty of nearby freeways to run along for access. In the Bay Area, why not run through San Jose airport -- it's close enough to the Caltrain tracks and downtown. A key point in Europe that is missing here is CONNECTIONS: HSR is worthless unless it connects to other transportation modes for a complete trip, and I don't mean just streetcars and buses downtown. European HSR serves most of the major airports too. If you're going to compete with SWAirlines you better serve the points SW serves.