by Lenna Gonya

Created on: August 05, 2010   Last Updated: August 16, 2010

The USHSR, or U.S. High Speed Rail Association, has proposed that new, electric rail transportation is the future of travel in the U.S., and will ultimately be one of the major factors in creating a greener and more sustainable future. Proponents of high speed rail travel are convinced that this is the solution for many 21st century transportation problems. Electric high speed travel is cited as being the answer to saving energy, going green, conserving resources, and overall convenience.

Energy consumption is a major issue all over the world, and certainly in the U.S. where oil and gas are consumed in massive quantities on a daily basis. While rail travel was once an important method of traveling from place to place, cars, and airplane travel have become the norm, and the rail industry has suffered a decline. Now, this industry is attempting a comeback, pointing out that use of high speed travel will help to clean up the environment, while at the same time, give passengers a fast and convenient method of getting from place to place across the country.

Europe certainly has lead the way in train travel from the beginning. Rail travel has continued to be the major method of getting around on a daily basis, from city to city and country to country. Now, railroads are proposing that the U.S. catch on to this method of commuting.

They make the argument that oil reserves and other energy sources are being used by individuals and businesses at an alarming rate. In fact, over 70% of oil consumption can be attributed to transportation. The use of electric high speed transportation would decrease the consumption of oil by allowing people to use a mode of travel that uses little oil, and by limiting their use of other oil burning vehicles.

They point out that while alternative energy producers, such as biofuels, and ethanol are important, they actually contribute only a small fraction of the fuel needed for mass transportation. And, that the overall use of high speed rail service will contribute to the environmental cleanup, while at the same time provide a convenient and speedy method of travel.

If indeed, this form of travel produces the results that they are hoping for, and if the cost of traveling on high speed rail is affordable, then this will certainly be a boon for the future of getting around the country.




http://www.ushsr.com/

Learn more about this author, Lenna Gonya.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.