i’ve been immersed in all things rail on both a personal and professional level lately. at home in reading, pennsylvania, the legacy is hard to ignore and state and federal transportation agendas will be critical to long term development and revitalization in the city.  and at van alen institute, we’re in the early planning and development phases of a design competition focusing on high speed passenger rail in the U.S. — including investigations into the effects that a federal network of infrastructural improvements will have on the design of cities themselves, the role that design and architecture will ultimately play in weaving a national HSR system into existing urban contexts, and the opportunities that this system will create for innovation with respect to transit-oriented architectural typologies.  needlesstosay, the announcement last week by president obama, vice president biden, and DOT secretary ray lahood was exciting… and i got to hear PA governor ed rendell speak even more passionately about it at the regional plan association’s regional assembly on friday.

the following is an overview from the federal railroad administration’s “Vision of High-Speed Rail in America” (including links to the full strategic plan, corridor maps, and a video of president obama’s announcement):

President Obama proposes to help address the nation’s transportation challenges by launching a new and efficient high-speed passenger rail network in 100-600 mile corridors that connect communities across America. The Strategic Plan outlines the President’s vision that would transform the nation’s transportation system by rebuilding existing rail infrastructure while developing a comprehensive high-speed intercity passenger rail network through a long-term commitment at both the federal and state levels. This plan draws from the successful highway and aviation development models with a 21st century solution that focuses on clean, energy-efficient rail transportation.

High-speed rail (HSR) is a family of transportation options that address longer-distance passenger transport needs in heavily populated corridors. Implementing HSR will promote economic expansion (including new manufacturing jobs), create new choices for travelers in addition to flying or driving, reduce national dependence on oil, and foster urban and rural livable communities. With the successful completion of the original phases of the Northeast Corridor (NEC) Transportation Project offering Amtrak’s 150 mph train service, known as “Acela,” between Washington, New York, and Boston, efforts have expanded beyond the NEC. A number of high-speed rail corridors are being planned by States that range from upgrades to existing rail lines to entirely new rail lines exclusively devoted to 150 to 250 mph trains.