“Population density alone does not determine the market for mass transit.”
This is true, but population density is by far the largest determinant. Unless high speed rail goes down in price and cost, it will be a white elephant in America.
“One must also look at current travel volume and modes of transportation against which mass transit would compete.”
That is true. You also have to look at the ridership options. What percent of Americans compared with what percent of Japanese folks, are willing to take trains to get to their destination? What percentage of Americans are willing to leave their cars behind? Not nearly as many. This is the other part. Usership rates in America are less efficient than in Japan, so you would need to see higher density in the US in order to acheive the similar profit ratios as you see in Japan.
“And frankly, waiting until population density reaches “packed in like sardines” levels like in Japan would be STUPID because it would make acquiring right-of-way next to impossible. It’s much better to identify areas of population growth and build the infrastructure BEFORE projected population densities reach their peak.”
Again, it’s a white elephant. My opinion is that Americans would be far better served to invest taxpayer dollars into the widening and expansion of existing road networks to accommodate growing demand.
High-speed rail isn’t anywhere close to working in any part of America, other than the east coast corridor, and that has nothing to do with 1950’s thinking.
Transit should fund itself, not be a parasite on the back of drivers sucking up road taxes.
What percent of Americans compared with what percent of Japanese folks, are willing to take trains to get to their destination? What percentage of Americans are willing to leave their cars behind? Not nearly as many.
That percentage actually increases significantly where adequate transit systems are available.
And ridership always spikes with every increase in gas price.
You're not dumb enough to think gas prices are going to go down, are you?
Again, it’s a white elephant. My opinion is that Americans would be far better served to invest taxpayer dollars into the widening and expansion of existing road networks to accommodate growing demand.
A white elephant indicating what?
The GOP surrender of our nation to the 'Rats???
Hey... IKE had a good idea with the Interstate Highway System...
But those were only 4 lane, and later expanded to 6 or 8...
Now we have what? 10 lanes? 12 lanes?
It's getting pretty foolish to just keep adding lanes, especially considering that Oil will NEVER be as cheap or plentiful as it was back in IKE's day.