High-speed rail growth

Abstract

High-speed rail (HSR) has been increasing in popularity among passengers and has become the dominant rail passenger transport mode chosen in recent years. At the same time, the rapid growth of HSR has also presented tremendous opportunities for regional development. Chapter 1 identifies the main current trends in HSR as follows: The positive effects are limited to large cities, metro areas and regions with already well-developed tourism markets; the positive effects are mainly short-term observable in “younger” networks (e.g., China and Italy); the positive effects are not sustainable over the long term as they fade with time as observed in “older” networks (e.g., France and Japan); the need to improve HSR lines connecting protected areas in order to support sustainable tourism; and the high degree of uncertainty regarding whether or not HSR could substantially contribute to tourism development in other countries, in particular the U.S.