Return to Rail

Reflects on the content and arguments of the series as a whole, emphasizing that high-speed rail drives urban and suburban development, provides major economic stimulus, and involves changes in life-style and culture. Discusses American freight

Program 13: Diverging Interests

Oct 14th, 2015 58m 24s

Opens by asking, what interest groups are most opposed to high-speed rail and wondering why the railroad industry has not done more to advertise and promote the concept. The answer to the first question is almost certainly rural constituencies

Program 12: Political Obstacles to High Speed Rail

Oct 14th, 2015 1h

The paradox of high-speed rail is that it is endorsed in principle both by the public and by the American political culture, but the practical task of investing in and budgeting for its development with tax dollars is not widely supported. Ide

Program 11: Competing Sites of Authority

Oct 14th, 2015 55m 42s

Takes up the problem of rail redevelopment as it is impeded and confined by the need to pass through multiple jurisdictions. Because federal and even state authority is broadly delegated, almost all localities have multiple centers of authority

Program 10: Private Regulation of Land Use

Oct 14th, 2015 50m 50s

Explores the potential of various alternatives to zoning that have evolved to modify the rights of land owners for the sake of public purposes, such as rail development. These include easements, real covenants, and “servitudes,” all bearing on

Program 9: Shared Rail Corridors

Oct 14th, 2015 54m 37s

Starting from the assumption that the U.S. is not prepared for an immediate transition to dedicated track systems for true high-speed rail, examines the interim use of shared rail corridors, addressing the problem of configuring tracks for both

Program 8: Light Rail

Oct 14th, 2015 1h 13m

Explores the relationship between intercity rail and forms of light-rail able to supply service within cities, organizing urban space into navigable corridors that reach particular districts and neighborhoods. Argues for the advantages of retro

Program 7: The Public Regulation of Land Use

Oct 14th, 2015 1h 11m

Examines the rail industry from a legal standpoint, surveying history and current use of legal tools such as zoning that may be employed either to assist in the expansion of rail networks or to curtail and constrain them. Noting that zoning pro

Program 6: The Effects of Technology, Regulation, and Competition

Oct 14th, 2015 1h 5m

Explores the impact of steam-powered locomotives and major advances in rail technology in transforming the nation in the nineteenth century. Once the power of the railroads prompted government intervention, regulation proved damaging to the ind

Program 5: The Taiwan Experience

Oct 14th, 2015 55m 40s

In exploring the promise of high-speed rail in the U.S., particularly in the Midwest, looks to the experience of the Taiwanese. Despite differences in political and demographic circumstances, sees helpful analogies, particularly in a comparison

PROGRAM 4: FUTURE RAIL: ENERGY MATTERS

Oct 14th, 2015 1h 11m

Looks at rail transport through the lens of energy physics, starting with the fact that the amount of energy available to the planet is finite and thus subject to diminution. Considers the implications of the recent passing of peak production i

PROGRAM 3: RAIL EFFICIENCY: FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPT OF RAIL TRANSPORT

Oct 6th, 2015 1h 7m

From detailed data, lays out the case for the high economic efficiency of rail transport, particularly freight rail transport, pointing out that such efficiencies will be increasingly important in an era of stressed resources, global competitio

PROGRAM 2: ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS

Oct 6th, 2015 55m 38s

Begins with an historical overview of American railroads in the 19th century, examining in detail the place of rail in the national economy. Gives particular attention to the relationship between railroads and the federal government in the deca

PROGRAM 1: THE RESURGENCE OF RAIL

Oct 5th, 2015 46m 38s

Examines the future importance of redeveloping the American rail network, both freight and passenger. While American freight transport is now unchallenged as the most efficient and cost effective in the world, the USA lags behind the rest of th

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