Fast-tracking the future

Amtrak & the Development of High-Speed & Intercity Passenger Rail

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1TPRW positive train control system on its Michigan Line that permits 95 mph service, soon to support the improvement of train speeds to 105 mph. Amtrak is also working closely with several Midwestern states to develop the plans for the Midwest Regional Rail Initiative, supporting their efforts to introduce modern, high-speed trains of up to 110 mph to the region. While we are confident that the multi-use approach that built the Northeast Corridor will be successful nationwide, we are also quite ready and willing to partner with states that seek to explore the possibilities of service at speeds in excess of 150 mph on specially built, dedicated rights-of-way. In fact, Amtrak has well-established operating partnerships with 15 states, and is eager to bring its unique experience and specialized engineering and planning capabilities to the task of developing high-speed rail in America. Fast-tracking the future

Amtrak & the Development of High-Speed & Intercity Passenger Rail

Upgrading Existing Corridors Even before PRIIA became law, the U.S. Department of Transportation had designated 10 corridors for high-speed service development. PRIIA reiterated Congressional intent to pursue the development of these routes and authorized the funding program that would support it. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provides $8 billion in capital grants for high-speed rail corridors and intercity passenger rail service, and the FY 2010 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill contains an additional $2.5 billion.

The Inside Track Because of our longstanding relationship with the freight railroads (70% of Amtrak’s annual train miles are run on freight lines), Amtrak is uniquely positioned to bring its expertise to bear on the problem of accelerating service on mixed-use corridors. We have operating agreements with the major Class I systems as well as many smaller carriers, and we are the only domestic carrier with experience in maintaining track to the relevant standards the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) requires for high-speed service. In addition, our operations management organization and our national sales and marketing, and reservation and ticketing networks were developed to support a national passenger rail system that works to the benefit of the traveling public by offering a viable alternative to other modes of transportation.

A definite demand A well-run high-speed operation can offer viable service, and it has driven a modal shift on the East Coast. Since the introduction of Acela Express in 2000, Amtrak has nearly reversed its position in the New York-Washington air-rail market. In 2000, we held a 37% market share; today, we hold a 61% market share, carrying more passengers between the two cities than all of the airlines put together – by a comfortable margin. We are within a point of being able to say the same about the Boston-New York air-rail market, which has risen from a 20% share in 2000 to a 49% share by mid-2009. There is a definite demand for intercity passenger service on routes of fewer than 500 miles, and Amtrak knows more than any other commercial entity about the needs and challenges of the American marketplace and railroad system.

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Amtrak & the Development of High-Speed & Intercity Passenger Rail

High-Speed Rail — A Vision for the Future Incremental improvement of existing routes is a vital step toward an improved national system. But it’s just the first step. PRIIA also lays the groundwork for the development of very high- speed rail corridors – those that operate at speeds up to 220 miles per hour. Such systems have been in development abroad (in China, for example) and are the latest in fast ground transportation.

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A regulations regular In addition to our engineering and mechanical expertise, our web of supporting services and systems and our longstanding relationships with states and freight railroads, Amtrak has an unparalleled understanding of the unique regulatory and operational requirements for passenger service in the U.S. We have an unparalleled understanding of the FRA’s rules and procedures, and have developed strong specialization in very specific market areas, such as the marketing of high-speed services to American consumers and the operation of the national reservation, ticketing, and network management system. This moment is both exciting and crucial for transportation in America. Let’s keep the momentum going. Amtrak is ready and eager to partner with states and other entities to unlock the potential of our nation’s existing railroad network.