Congress considering changing HSR definition

[blue streak 1]

Bill in congress would change USA definition of HSR.  Here is paragraph from NY Times.  note Higher speed is not mentioned.  (HrSR )

In addition to providing historic levels of funding for HSR, the bill redefines HSR projects to mean trains that reach speeds of 160+ mph on existing tracks or 186+ mph on new, dedicated tracks. Previously, HSR projects have been defined in the U.S. as 110+ for shared-use tracks and 125+ for dedicated lines.

House T&I Committee Advances $10 Billion for HSR | High Speed Rail Alliance (hsrail.org)

EDIT  ---- According to the article speed was 160+ MPH.  That could be important as all we have heard was the desire for 160 MPH on the NEC.  I know that is nit picking but lawyers do that all the time.

[blue streak 1]

I am wondering if the 160 MPH for current lines is an inducement for Amtrak to make as much of the NEC as possible 160 MPH capable ?  But with no mention of HrSR that may leave out the S" line from Richmond / Petersburg to Raleigh ?   Of course who  knows what is in the middle of the bill's wording and it has to go to the whole House ? 

[blue streak 1]

After some digging found the actual language.  It is 160 MPH or greater on shared ROW or 186 MPH on dedicated ROW,  That shared ROW makes it interesting for some routes.  Empire route ?

(3) HIGH-SPEED RAIL.—The term ‘‘high-speed rail’’ means non-highway ground transportation that  is owned or operated by an eligible entity and reasonably expected to reach speeds of 160 miles per hour or more on shared-use right-of-way or 186 miles per hour or more on dedicated right-of-way.  (4) CORRIDOR.—The term ‘‘corridor’’ means an  existing, modified, or proposed intercity passenger rail service, as defined in section 26101(b)(5) of title 49, United States Code.

 

For the complere language see--------

Sec. 110009. Passenger rail improvement, modernization, and emissions reduction gra

 

[charlie hebdo]

Perhaps it's just bringing our definition of HSR in line with that used in most other nations. 

[Overmod]

charlie hebdo

Perhaps it's just bringing our definition of HSR in line with that used in most other nations. 

And with common sense.

Although I still consider the ancient idea of American high-speed rail being 150mph and above to be applicable. Don't expect me to argue that the bar shouldn't be set higher than that now that it has! 

(Isn't there a definition of HrSR in PRIIA?  I thought it was the range between 110 and 125mph for some reason.)