Houston residents asked to give input on Texas' $12 billion bullet train

[Elderberry]

Chron.com 1/29/2018 by Fernando Alfonso III

Houston residents are being asked to weigh in on a plan to build a $12 billion high-speed train between the city and Dallas.

The meeting is set for Feb. 5 and will be coordinated by the Federal Railroad Administration, which must approve plans for the Texas Bullet Train.

The rail is designed to run along a utility corridor between Houston and Dallas, making the 240-mile trip in about 90 minutes at speeds of up to 205 mph.

https://www.chron.com/news/transportation/article/texas-bullet-train-houston-dallas-meeting-2018-12533581.php

[Sanguine]

They just won't give it up, will they?

[IsailedawayfromFR]

Input is NO.

Just like elections, polls are meaningless.

[IsailedawayfromFR]

More input into the proposed train:

Amtrak train breaks apart at 125 mph
https://nypost.com/2018/02/06/amtrak-train-breaks-apart-at-125-mph/

The choice is getting easier to make by the day....

[Sanguine]

More input into the proposed train:

Amtrak train breaks apart at 125 mph
https://nypost.com/2018/02/06/amtrak-train-breaks-apart-at-125-mph/

The choice is getting easier to make by the day....

No kidding. 

[jpsb]

We have high speed rail to just about every city in the USA, it's called a Boeing 737 and it goes 500 mph

[XenaLee]

More input into the proposed train:

Amtrak train breaks apart at 125 mph
https://nypost.com/2018/02/06/amtrak-train-breaks-apart-at-125-mph/

The choice is getting easier to make by the day....

Considering the fact.... that all it would take is one (just one, when there are many) dumb@ss parked or stalled on a RR crossing to ruin your train trip, your day and your life.... I vote not just no...

but HELL no.

The only way it would be safe from that... is if it was an elevated track with no crossings and no ability whatsoever for idiots to wreck the train.  And even that would be fraught with issues.... ie construction cost-cutting causing collapse of segments of the elevated track. 

[thackney]

Considering the fact.... that all it would take is one (just one, when there are many) dumb@ss parked or stalled on a RR crossing to ruin your train trip, your day and your life.... I vote not just no...

but HELL no.

The only way it would be safe from that... is if it was an elevated track with no crossings and no ability whatsoever for idiots to wreck the train.  And even that would be fraught with issues.... ie construction cost-cutting causing collapse of segments of the elevated track.

The train will be “grade separated,” which means it will cross over or under all public roads. There will be no cars waiting for trains to pass and no risk of trains interacting with cars. Therefore, there will be no crossing arms, no whistles and no loud horn – a very quiet experience for everyone.

https://www.texascentral.com/safety-security/

[IsailedawayfromFR]

Considering the fact.... that all it would take is one (just one, when there are many) dumb@ss parked or stalled on a RR crossing to ruin your train trip, your day and your life.... I vote not just no...

but HELL no.

The only way it would be safe from that... is if it was an elevated track with no crossings and no ability whatsoever for idiots to wreck the train.  And even that would be fraught with issues.... ie construction cost-cutting causing collapse of segments of the elevated track.

It is not whether just the construction collapses.

This recent derailment was caused only by operator error - speeding.  By definition, high speed rail is even more susceptible.

Amtrak derailment: Train was traveling at 80 mph in 30-mph zone
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/amtrak-derailment-train-crashes-near-tacoma-washington-n830751

[IsailedawayfromFR]

The train will be “grade separated,” which means it will cross over or under all public roads. There will be no cars waiting for trains to pass and no risk of trains interacting with cars. Therefore, there will be no crossing arms, no whistles and no loud horn – a very quiet experience for everyone.

https://www.texascentral.com/safety-security/

You are assuming of course that the train stays on the tracks.  Some trains don't behave that way.

This recent crash of a train elevated over a highway resulted in the train coming into contact with five passenger vehicles.



3 dead, scores injured after Amtrak train plunges off bridge onto I-5
http://komonews.com/news/local/derailed-train-falls-off-bridge-onto-i-5-lanes-south-of-tacoma

[thackney]

It is not whether just the construction collapses.

This recent derailment was caused only by operator error - speeding.  By definition, high speed rail is even more susceptible.

Amtrak derailment: Train was traveling at 80 mph in 30-mph zone
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/amtrak-derailment-train-crashes-near-tacoma-washington-n830751

The Texas Central will use Automatic Train Control which exceeds US requirements and ensures drivers cannot speed.  This is planned, but not yet put in place for the Amtrak derailment near Tacoma.

https://www.texascentral.com/2018/02/01/rumors-making-the-rounds-learn-the-facts/

[jpsb]

The train will be “grade separated,” which means it will cross over or under all public roads. There will be no cars waiting for trains to pass and no risk of trains interacting with cars. Therefore, there will be no crossing arms, no whistles and no loud horn – a very quiet experience for everyone.

https://www.texascentral.com/safety-security/

Rail makes a lot of sense for moving freight, people not so much. Want to help move people? How about efficient public trans to and from local airports?

That 12 B (likely much higher, see Cali) would buy you 240 737s