Challenges to High-Speed Rail Development
Government Accountability Office Findings and Recommendations
Federal and other decisionmakers have had a renewed interest in how high-speed rail might fit into the national transportation system and address increasing mobility constraints on highways and at airports due to congestion. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) was asked to review: The factors affecting the economic viability — meaning whether total social benefits offset or justify total social costs — of high-speed rail projects, including difficulties in determining the economic viability of proposed projects. The challenges in developing and financing high-speed rail systems. The Federal role in the potential development of U.S. high-speed rail systems. GAO reviewed Federal legislation;…
