“Surely such a long distance high speed track will be damaged over time by tectonic movements until eventually the train hits a piece of tremor-damaged track and has a nasty accident.”

After any moderate sized earthquake passenger tracks near the epicenter are inspected and trains are ordered to travel at restricted speed (15-20 MPH).

“Surely such a long distance high speed track will be damaged over time by tectonic movements until eventually the train hits a piece of tremor-damaged track and has a nasty accident.”

After any moderate sized earthquake passenger tracks near the epicenter are inspected and trains are ordered to travel at restricted speed (15-20 MPH).

High-speed rail is probably the safest form of transportation. The tracks are not shared with freight trains.

Check out my blog entry on HSR

http://everyoneforever.org/blogger/

High-speed rail is probably the safest form of transportation. The tracks are not shared with freight trains.

Check out my blog entry on HSR

http://everyoneforever.org/blogger/

Of course trains are a easy targets. Look at the terrorist attacs in madrid or london. you can carry a bomb on any train in europe, and nobody can do anthing against it. there are many other places in modern society where large groups of people assemble.

for excample sport-stadiums, cinema, etc.

but the main reason for those insane security chechpoints in airports, is fear of flight. the largest end densest group of people (best target for terrorists) at an airport are the people waiting in line in front of the security check point.

you cant prevent terrorist attacks with security check points, without turning your country in a police state.

a better solution: work on the causes of terrorism. terrorism has three main causes: hate, fear of loss of cultural identity and poverty. by killing people in the middle east, occupying regions of the middle east and destroiing infrastructure and private property, the usa is doing everything necessary for increasing the terrorist problem.

Of course trains are a easy targets. Look at the terrorist attacs in madrid or london. you can carry a bomb on any train in europe, and nobody can do anthing against it. there are many other places in modern society where large groups of people assemble.

for excample sport-stadiums, cinema, etc.

but the main reason for those insane security chechpoints in airports, is fear of flight. the largest end densest group of people (best target for terrorists) at an airport are the people waiting in line in front of the security check point.

you cant prevent terrorist attacks with security check points, without turning your country in a police state.

a better solution: work on the causes of terrorism. terrorism has three main causes: hate, fear of loss of cultural identity and poverty. by killing people in the middle east, occupying regions of the middle east and destroiing infrastructure and private property, the usa is doing everything necessary for increasing the terrorist problem.

trains use large amounts of energy, especially bullet trains.

We have lots of those in germany, and the FAZ published a article about the averange carbon foot print of cars, trains and planes in germany. The carbon foot print of trains (equivalent to gas usage)is between 4 and 8 liters/100km (58.8 – 39.2 mpg)per passenger. while planes use 3 – 4 l/100km (78.4 – 58.8 mpg) per passenger. In cars the user can choose himself which kind of car he drives an how many passengers will be on bord, so the carbon footprint can vary. However, if two people ride in one modern car ( >39 mpg), it is the most efficient means of transportation.

If California produces 5% of its electricity with renewable methods, then only 5% of the electricity which is consumed by the train will be “green” and not 100%! trains are very heavy (1.5 metric tons per passenger if all seats are taken -> averange of 2.8 t per passenger) , they produce lots of friction with their wheels and, beeing close to the ground, they experience alot more aerodynamic resistance than planes flying at 11km above ground.

in conclusion: trains are not quite as good as their reputation.