High Speed Rail

What is a High Speed Rail?

Transportation that uses electric trains that can travel at very high speeds

Provides a friendlier alternative than common transportation methods

1899: German Engineers sought a high speed train

1964: Japan capitalized on the High Speed Rail• Shinkansen …also known as the Bullet Train• Went 130 mph and carried 100 million people in first 3 years

1981: The revolution started and France got a HSR• TGV will carry 1 billion people in 20 years

History

Positives Opens more space on highways and

interstates By 2035, the Midwest Network will

create 42,000 jobs and generate $6.1 billion in sales

Environmentally friendly• Uses 4-5 times less carbon than an airplane

Doesn’t cost very much

Why is there a need for a High Speed Rail?

USA High Speed Rail

Interstates Map

USA High Speed Rail Regions

Illinois High Speed Rail In 2010 Union

Pacific Railroad (UPRR) got the bid to create the railway

Since, 243 miles of track has been installed

Train will be able to go 110 mph

Problems? Can not have that fast

of a train within 30 miles of Chicago, St. Louis and other large cities

Costs a lot of money to build

Have to be able to allow trains and other traffic to keep flowing

Careers

Transportation Engineer • $46,000-$53,000• Bachelor’s Degree

Diesel Mechanic• $43,000-$49,000• HS Diploma/GED

Railroad Worker• $38,000-$44,000• HS Diploma/GED

Activity Determine where the track will be

placed for the Illinois High Speed Rail• Have to go from Chicago to St. Louis• Have to go through at least 2 other cities

Determine the speed of the train along the final track (keep the cities in consideration)

Find the amount of time it will take to get from Chicago to St. Louis