2nd Green Revolution

The weekly email from Travel and Leisure (T&L) often contains tidbits that make for interesting stories here on 2nd Green Revolution. Last year their stories about the most bike friendly cities in the world, as well as a discount being offered in Santa Barbara, California for those taking the train led to posts on this site. Many of the specials they promote and lists they compile have a “green” tint without being overtly eco-conscious.

This week’s email contained a link to their story about the “Most Scenic Train Rides” (click through to the rest of this post to see Top 10)  in the world. The story’s lead-in mentioned Seat 61, a website with information about train and ferry travel throughout the world. As interest in trains and railways as a mode of transportation has increased, visitors to the site have increased eight times according to T&L. Founder Mark Smith offers some calculations (seen in the table below) on his site comparing the carbon emissions of air and train travel. Read the rest of this entry »

The United States government announced the recipients of $8 billion in high speed rail stimulus funding today. Three projects will receive the lion’s share of money set aside in last year’s stimulus bill. The projects will be based in California, Illinois, and Florida. According to a press release from The White House, President Obama and Vice-President Biden stated that “the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is awarding $8 billion to states across the country to develop America’s first nationwide program of high-speed intercity passenger rail service.”

The following chart from the Christian Science Monitor via the Associated Press provides a breakdown of the projects receiving more than half a billion dollars: Read the rest of this entry »

For the first time in my driving age life I don’t own or have easy access to a car. Yesterday, I sold my 2003 Hyundai Elantra with 80,000 miles on it. Elantras are apparently in demand, perhaps because word has gotten out they are inexpensive but reliable. Mine served me well. If you have one and have contemplated selling it, this may be the time. Even while living in Japan- the epitome of convenient and efficient train transportation – for two years after college, I was far enough out in the country in a town with no train station that a car was necessary. Let me be clear up front: Read the rest of this entry »

In yet another symbol of China’s rapid development and increasing technological prowess, a high-speed train called the Harmony express shortened a previously 11 hour trip across China to a mere 3 hours. The Harmony express raced along the 1,100km (684 mile) route from Guangzhou to the central city of Wuhan at an average speed of 350km per hour (218mph), reaching a top speed of 394km per hour (245mph). Japan’s “Shinkansen” bullet trains and France’s TGV service, two pioneers and models when it comes to high-speed rail, have maximum services speeds of 300km per hour (186mph). The U.S. has the so-called “Express” Acela service from Amtrak which takes 3.5 hours to trundle between New York and Boston, a distance of only 300km (186miles) or roughly 30% of the distance that the new Chinese route can cover in the same time. Here is a summary of the new rail line and China’s rail ambitions by the numbers: Read the rest of this entry »

This is the first in a three part series on certain differences in energy use, efficiency, and lifestyle in Japan. Today’s post will focus on transportation.

To catch my flight to Japan departing from Dulles Airport today, I took public transportation. I live in Washington DC and the airport is way out in the Virginia suburbs. I could have taken a cab but opted for the Metro (subway) and then the 5A bus from Rosslyn, VA to the airport.

Getting off of one line to change at Metro Center, I heard someone yell “Hey!” and turned around to see a friend of mine from college. I hadn’t seen him in about half a year. Within a brief 1 minute conversation among the bustle of commuters we made tentative plans to get together in a couple weeks with some other college buddies of ours. No sooner did I get off the next train at Rossyln to catch the bus when I ran into another friend. Read the rest of this entry »

Here at 2nd Green Revolution, we think about transportation, smart growth, and walkable/carless cities. After watching No Impact Man last week, we decided to resurrect a poll that had been on the shelf for a while. Take a moment to tell us how you commute to work. If you use a combination of these forms, please choose the predominate mode of transportation. If you are split 50/50, feel free to select two options.

Earlier this month we covered National Public Radio’s week-long series looking at high-speed rail prospects and its roadblocks in America. We are curious about your thoughts so please take a moment and vote in our poll.

- Eric Wilson

As the final installment in National Public Radio’s week long series on high speed rail, two Chicago based reporters looked at the Midwest region, which hopes to connect 12 major metropolitan cities. Union Station in Chicago is the fourth busiest train station in the nation, having served 3 million people last year.

Under the Midwest high speed rail proposal, Chicago would be the hub. According to NPR reporters, three lines have priority. These include a Saint Louis, Missouri; Detroit, Michigan; and Milwaukee-Madison, Wisconsin line, each of which would emanate from Chicago. The most popular train route from Chicago is currently the “Hiawatha” which runs to Milwaukee.

Back in July Illinois Governor Pat Quinn held a Midwest high speed rail summit which included representatives of eight states: Michigan, Indiana, Missouri, Wisconsin, Iowa, Ohio, Minnesota, and Illinois. Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm cited estimates that a high speed rail network could provide 57,000 permanent jobs and 15,000 construction jobs. Read the rest of this entry »

Wednesday’s story from National Public Radio week long series on High Speed Rail focused on so-called multimodal design or transportation. This idea goes beyond the rail system and into what happens when riders get off the rail. A major concern for commuters and rail riders is the complete public transportation equation. Once riders arrive at the train station after riding trains (high speed or otherwise), there is often a gap between the intended destination and the station itself. The difficulty arises when trying to finish the trip and reach the destination, not to mention getting to the station in the first place.

In order to achieve these goals, it is imperative to design transportation systems that work in concert with each other. Read the rest of this entry »