President-elect Obama has unveiled his plan for creating up to 2.5 million jobs by 2011 (Nov. 22, 2008). This is a step in the right direction. He mentioned fixing the decaying roads, schools, and new energy initiatives. All are admirable, but the United States also needs a crucial transportation infrastructure it desparately lacks. A particularly acute need, giving its vast extent. It needs to move people quickly and efficiently from point A to point B.
Many proposals are on the table; making better fuel-efficient cars, hybrid cars, plug-in cars, hydrogen-storage vehicles, and on and on. All are useful and research in new technology must continue and be funded, but none of these proposals address the main underlying deficiency which the US faces: lack of a credible fast, efficient long-distance transportation network.
What is needed is, of course, a fast high speed rail network which covers the whole country and provides quality of service similar to the bullet-train (Shinkansen) or high-speed train (TGV). With speeds in excess of 200-300 miles per hour, it would take 4-5 hours to travel to from NYC to Chicago. The cost and emission per passanger will be much less (at least an order of magnitude) than the cost and emission using a car or airplane.
In addition, this proposal would be many many people to work. A completely new and fast rail network will be needed. Let the 3 car companies go bust. Save the autoworkers and put them to work on the hi-speed rail network. They have all the expertise as builders, assemblers, and engineers to design, assemble, and build this network.
It will be the New new deal. It will work.
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