High Speed Rail - Center for Neighborhood Technology

High Speed Rail and Greenhouse Gas Emissions – CCAP & CNT
• Convince More People to Switch to High Speed Rail from Solo Auto Usage
Encouraging smart development around high speed rail stations can encourage commuters to use high
speed rail as an alternative to driving alone. Trains such as CalTrain’s Baby Bullet are showing that
fast intercity train travel can be a big draw for commuters who appreciate avoiding rush hour
congestion and being able to read or work during their commute. An average commuter who switches
from driving alone 40 miles per day to commuting via rail could save more than 6,000 pounds of CO2
per year. 28
• Reduce Train Emissions
The most direct way to impact the emissions associated with high speed rail is to improve the
efficiency of the trains themselves. More efficient diesel locomotive engines and other improvements,
such as regenerative braking, are being developed, and some of the high speed rail corridors have
plans to make use of these improved technologies. In addition, safety policies and train designs need
to be coordinated to support both safety and efficiency. Present U.S. safety regulations may reduce
train efficiency by requiring U.S. trains to be much heavier than similar designs in other countries. 29
Use of alternative fuels such as biodiesel would also reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of trains.
For electrified trains, the indirect emissions associated with electricity generation can be reduced by
the purchase of green power—wind, solar, or hydroelectric. Finally, ensuring that high speed rail
systems run efficiently, with high passenger loads and low idling times, would maximize the
emissions benefits of the system.
• Reduce Associated Emissions
Although we did not measure access and egress emissions in our model, the mode passengers take to
and from the train stations has an important emissions impact. High speed rail can reduce travel
emissions by making stations interconnected with many forms of transportation so that passengers can
access high speed rail by bus, light rail, or other modes, rather than driving to the station. High speed
rail stations have the potential to become focal points in transit-oriented communities. Station design
and integrated planning with the surrounding community should enable access to jobs and amenities
without use of an automobile.
28 Based on the following assumptions: Auto emissions per year = 0.85 lbs CO2 per vehicle mile in 2025 x 40 miles per day x 5
days per week x 52 weeks per year = 8,840; HSR Emissions per year = 0.26 lbs CO2 per passenger mile (from Danish IC3 train)
x 40 miles per day x 5 days per week x 52 weeks per year = 2,703; Difference = 6,137 lbs CO 2 per year
29 U.S. House of Representatives, Transportation Committee, Subcommittee on Railroads. “Hearing on Getting Acela Back On
Track.” May 11, 2005. http://www.house.gov/transportation/rail/05-11-05/05-11-05memo.html
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