per passenger mile then cars and 66 percent less than planes. The faster diesel trains that would likely be used to upgrade current service would emit slightly more emissions, but would still emit much less than cars and planes and would draw more passengers than current passenger rail.30 (See Figure 3, next page.) Electric trains show the most potential for global warming emission reductions, even using today’s carbon-intensive electricity grid. The CCAP/CNT study surveyed the technology used on three different popular electric train lines, in France, Germany and Japan, and found that all would produce lower carbon dioxide emissions per passenger mile than a fast diesel train when powered by the U.S. electric grid. One train, used on the German ICE line, would produce about half the emissions of Electric trains are more energy efficient, faster, and could America’s current passenger rail system.31 not only but they are eventually be powered at least partially with emission-free renewable energy. By attracting travelers who otherwise would have taken cars or planes, building a high-speed rail network would be much more effective at reducing global warming emissions than our current passenger rail system. The CCAP/CNT building the high-speed rail corridors using fast study estimated that [end page 15] planned by the federal government diesel trains, would attract enough passengers to reduce U.S. global warming with top speeds of 99 mph, emissions by 6.1 billion pounds, the equivalent of taking almost 500,000 cars off the road.33 Passenger rail reduces harmful air pollution a passenger on an as well, especially when it is powered by electricity. For example, electric train produces about 93 percent less air pollution than someone traveling by car, and in Germany 91 percent less than someone making the same trip by plane.34 Although the electricity produced in the United States electric trains would be much cleaner than diesel trains, cars or planes. would create more emissions, still When tracks are upgraded for better passenger rail service, freight traffic needs are considered as well, allowing more freight trains to travel faster Rail transport is much more fuel efficient than truck and with fewer delays and adding to the environmental benefits. transport for freight—various studies estimate that train transport is three to nine times as efficient as truck transport for the same amount of freight.35 The resulting fuel savings add to the emissions reductions from improving passenger rail.
per passenger mile then cars and 66 percent less than planes. The faster diesel trains that would likely be used to upgrade current service would emit slightly more emissions, but would still emit much less than cars and planes and would draw more passengers than current passenger rail.30 (See Figure 3, next page.) Electric trains show the most potential for global warming emission reductions, even using today’s carbon-intensive electricity grid. The CCAP/CNT study surveyed the technology used on three different popular electric train lines, in France, Germany and Japan, and found that all would produce lower carbon dioxide emissions per passenger mile than a fast diesel train when powered by the U.S. electric grid. One train, used on the German ICE line, would produce about half the emissions of America’s current passenger rail system.31 Electric trains are not only more energy efficient, but they are faster, and could eventually be powered at least partially with emission-free renewable energy. By attracting travelers who otherwise would have taken cars or planes, building a high-speed rail network would be much more effective at reducing global warming emissions than our current passenger rail system. The CCAP/CNT study estimated that building the high-speed rail corridors [end page 15] planned by the federal government using fast diesel trains, with top speeds of 99 mph, would attract enough passengers to reduce U.S. global warming emissions by 6.1 billion pounds, the equivalent of taking almost 500,000 cars off the road.33 Passenger rail reduces harmful air pollution as well, especially when it is powered by electricity. For example, a passenger on an electric train in Germany produces about 93 percent less air pollution than someone traveling by car, and 91 percent less than someone making the same trip by plane.34 Although the electricity produced in the United States would create more emissions, electric trains would still be much cleaner than diesel trains, cars or planes. When tracks are upgraded for better passenger rail service, freight traffic needs are considered as well, allowing more freight trains to travel faster and with fewer delays and adding to the environmental benefits. Rail transport is much more fuel efficient than truck transport for freight—various studies estimate that train transport is three to nine times as efficient as truck transport for the same amount of freight.35 The resulting fuel savings add to the emissions reductions from improving passenger rail.
GDI_12___High_Speed_Rail_AFF.docx