600 MPH Subways?

Think it sounds a little far fetched?

One man has actually written a book promoting the idea of underground subways that run at the speed of jet airplanes.

Is it technically feasible? Sure. I think that his cost of $55 million a mile seems a little low to me (no concrete reason behind that thought, it just doesn't pass my "smell test"), but if we want to build it, we can do it. No problem.

But is it practical? I don't think so.

Who would want to pay money to sit in a tunnel for 4, 5, or even 6 six hours going cross-country? I've ridden through the Chunnel three times now and that's about as long as I want to spend playing mole.

I believe that more efficient use of our transportation network is needed. And rail is really the component that is most lacking. As a nation, we never allowed the restructuring of our rail network (Interstate Commerce Commission stood in the way) and as a result, we have relatively modern and efficient air and highway networks, but a rail network that is still designed really for the 1950s.

I posted early on what my idea of an efficient transportation network would look like. Basically, it was cars for trips under about 75 miles, trains from there to about 500 miles, and then airplanes for the longer distances. What it would achieve is about a hour and a half driving range, about two and a half hours by train, and no less than an hour in the air. Of course it is all predicated on an efficient local mass transit system at the destination (which makes it impractical basically everywhere in the US right now), but it is a nice perfect world goal.

The big key component that is missing (outside of local transit) is high-speed rail.

But this is not the answer. $55 million a mile is simply too much.

We should instead be focusing more on developing and constructing real high-speed, grade free (no crossings, roads go either over or under bridges), electrified rail lines. Out existing network could be used with some heavy duty reengineering.

Would it be expensive? Sure would. But it would cost less than the subway "pipe dream."

We need more national debate on our transportation network. It is my belief that we have neglected one of the triad of road, rail and air.

But pipe dreams like this are just too much. We need something innovative and practical.