US Conference of Mayors Report: Huge Benefits With High Speed RailRead the Report
CALPIRG New Report: High Speed Rail Benefits Around the World Read the Report
"The tragedy unfolding on our coast is the most painful and powerful reminder yet that the time to embrace a clean energy future is now." -President Obama, June 16, 2010
Oil problems for America
USHSR supports a visionary energy bill with America becoming a global sustainability leader. A major investment in a national high speed rail network is the centerpiece of this visionary green energy future.
We consume 20 million barrels of oil EVERY DAY in America, 70% of it going directly to transportation. The only way to solve this in any significant way is to reduce our need for so much oil as part of our daily lives. Converting our national transportation network towards a system of electric trains throughout the country directly impacts this unsustainable appetite for oil, and is the most significant thing we can do as a nation to reduce our overall consumption of oil.
High Speed Rail is our clean energy future.
Most other industrialized nations already realize this, and are way ahead of us in building their high speed rail systems as a way to reduce dependence on oil, foreign or domestic.
Clean, green, sustainable transportation
High Speed Rail 2010 Los Angeles
The High Speed Rail 2010 Conference in California was a Huge Success!
TheHigh Speed Rail 2010 conference in Los Angeles (June 17-18) attracted over 275 people from more than 18 countries including elected officials, departments of transportation executives including CA DOT and the California High Speed Rail Authority, political and business leaders, rail operators and manufacturers, national and international engineering and construction firms, architects, urban planners, attorneys, renewable energy experts, and young professionals. Numerous national and local media were also in attendance reporting live from the conference including ABC, NBC, ENR Magazine, Japanese and Chinese media, and others. The conference sought to foster a thoughtful dialogue about the feasibility and process of building high speed rail systems in California and the U.S.
High level discussions and presentations were held throughout the 2-day conference. Films, videos, and powerpoints were shown at the conference including the state-of-the-art high speed rail systems from around the world. Also, a number of leading manufacturers exhibited their latest high speed trains. Executive level networking and business development took place throughout the conference to create teams and consortiums planning to bid on high speed rail projects throughout the nation.
Highlights from the conference include:
Speaking during Session One, "Bringing High Speed Rail to America," California Assembly member Cathleen Galgiani discussed Proposition 1A, the only rail bond passed in the nation, as well as how high speed rail will positively impact the environment by reducing U.S. dependence on oil as well as shrinking our carbon footprint. International media listened intently as Judge Quentin L. Kopp, California High-Speed Rail Authority board member, spoke at a press briefing about progress being made in the state's proposed system which is expected to shuttle millions of travelers between San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego among other stops. Kopp expressed confidence that construction could begin as early as 2012. He also addressed the need for public-private partnerships to augment existing funding, as well as aid in the manufacturing of high-speed train cars from global partners.
Additional conferences, seminars, and private meetings are being planned in New York City and Washington DC, as well as European HSR tours. For additional information on these and other activities of the association, contact us. Watch this space for updates, photos from the conference and the numerous media coverage and news stories published about the exciting event.
CA Secretary of Transportation Dale Bonner Speaks at Our Los Angeles Event
In March 2007 Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed Dale E. Bonner to lead the State's Business, Transportation and Housing Agency (BT&H). As Secretary, he oversees 14 departments and several economic development programs and commissions consisting of more than 44,000 employees and a budget of $20 billion, a budget larger than that of most states in the nation. The Agency's portfolio is one of the largest and most diverse in the State of California. Its operations address myriad of issues that directly impact the state's economic vitality and quality of life including transportation, public safety, affordable housing, international trade, financial services, tourism, and managed health care.
During his tenure, Mr. Bonner has spearheaded implementation of the voter-approved $19.9 billion transportation bond and the $2.85 billion housing bond, and the new statewide program to attract private investment in public infrastructure. Mr. Bonner is Chairman of the Board of Directors of the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank, the Public Infrastructure Advisory Commission, and the California Travel and Tourism Commission. As Secretary, Mr. Bonner also serves on the High Speed Rail Bond Finance Committee, the Board of Directors of the California Housing Finance Agency, the California Coastal Commission, the California Strategic Growth Council, the California-Mexico Border Relations Council, and numerous other boards and commissions.
Watch more keynote speakers from our Los Angeles HSR conference
USHSR Member Spotlight
USHSR President Andy Kunz sits down with Talgo CEO Antonio Perez to discuss his company's product line and goals for the emerging HSR market in America.
Watch keynote speakers from our Florida HSR conference!
Join the movement to bring high speed rail to America!
Join the US High Speed Rail Association now!
"There's no reason Europe or China should have the fastest trains" -President Obama, January 27, 2010
The only organization in America focusing entirely on advancing a state-of-the-art national high speed rail network across the country. We are an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(6) trade association chartered to organize and mobilize the industry with a shared vision for a 21st century, 17,000 mile national high speed rail system built in phases for completion by 2030.
Our mission is to build widespread public, business, and political support for a major investment in a national high speed rail network.
This new national electric transportation project will revive our economy and manufacturing sector by creating millions of new jobs. It will be the catalyst for the next real estate boom, it will significantly reduce our dependence on oil, it will shrink our national carbon footprint, and it will create efficient mobility that's safe and affordable for its passengers.
Vision Our vision includes a national HSR Express system connecting cities and states into an integrated system, laid out in phases with an aggressive schedule for full system build out. Our vision sets high standards for state-of-the-art dedicated track, advanced control systems, elegant multi-modal train stations, and top-of-the-line 220 mph trains connecting major cities together. Our plan calls for a support network of 110 mph trains connecting smaller cities and towns together with the high speed system.
Voice Our voice for a national high speed rail network is unified around our vision, and represents the advancement and scaling up of the high speed rail industry in America needed to carry out the vision. Our voice reaches across the spectrum including the Federal, state, and grassroots levels.
Forum We provide the forum to bring together the many players to develop coalitions and consortiums for building HSR systems. Our forum will take many shapes to include a range of conferences, meetings, networking events, tours, and on-line media.
"The goal is to create attractive alternatives to long drives and short flights, which would relieve road and air congestion; reduce carbon emissions, highway deaths and dependence on oil from foreign thugs or the blackened Gulf; create jobs, jump start a new domestic manufacturing industry; and improve the conpetitiveness and convenience of the U.S. economy."
"You wouldn't have to get to the airport ridiculously early, take off your shoes, turn off your phone or pay extra for luggage; you wouldn't have to worry about the weather or some Icelandic volcano canceling your trip. You wouldn't have to watch the road, wait in traffic, find parking or pull over to stretch your legs; you wouldn't risk arrest or an accident by drinking or texting." -Time, July 19, 2010
China Mega Solar / HSR
China advances green energy and transportation all together: Launching the world's largest solar power plant - 6.7MW photovoltaic generating system capable of powering 12,000 households.
The solar installation was installed on the roof of a new high speed rail station combining green energy with green transportation. Read the article
Alstom is a leading train manufacturer from France with operations in the United States. Alstom manufacturers a variety of rail cars for different speeds, and is a world leader in high speed and very high speed. One of their trains recently set a world speed record of 357 mph! All the high speed trains in operation in France are manufactured by Alstom. More info on Alstom
Siemens is a leading train manufacturer from Germany with operations in the United States. Siemens manufacturers a variety of rail cars for different speeds. Most of the high speed trains in operation in Germany are manufactured by Siemens. More info on Siemens
Talgo is a leading rail car manufacturer from Spain with operations in the United States. Talgo manufacturers a variety of rail cars for different speeds. Most of the high speed trains in operation in Spain are manufactured by Talgo. More info on Talgo
US - Japan High Speed Rail is an American firm set up to import Japanese produced high speed trains for the American market. The Japanese high speed trains have been in operation for 45 years. More on US - Japan High Speed Rail
New Defang Group is a Chinese company that manufactures mega-scale rail bridge building structures and also constructs high speed rail bridges using their own pioneering equipment and techniques. NDF has been involved in every high speed rail project in China.
MEMBERSHIP
Join the transportation revolution! Get in on the ground floor, make connections, network with decision makers, get on teams and win projects. Join USHSR today! Membership info
