This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/8003077.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Obama plans high-speed rail in US | Obama plans high-speed rail in US |
| (4 days later) | |
| US President Barack Obama has announced his "vision for high-speed rail" in the country, which would create jobs, ease congestion and save energy. | US President Barack Obama has announced his "vision for high-speed rail" in the country, which would create jobs, ease congestion and save energy. |
| He said the US could not afford not to make the investment in 10 routes. | He said the US could not afford not to make the investment in 10 routes. |
| Six of the routes already approved, including California and Florida, could get some of the $8 billion (£5.4bn) earmarked for rail improvements. | Six of the routes already approved, including California and Florida, could get some of the $8 billion (£5.4bn) earmarked for rail improvements. |
| Mr Obama said his plan would provide faster journeys, increased mobility and better productivity. | Mr Obama said his plan would provide faster journeys, increased mobility and better productivity. |
| His strategy envisions a network of short-haul and long-haul corridors of up to 600 miles, with trains capable of speeds of up to 150mph (240km/h). | His strategy envisions a network of short-haul and long-haul corridors of up to 600 miles, with trains capable of speeds of up to 150mph (240km/h). |
| Although super-fast trains in Japan, Germany and China run at 300km/h (186mph) or more, the fastest service at the moment in the US averages only 120km/h. | |
| He said: "Our highways are clogged with traffic, costing us $80 billion a year in lost productivity and wasted fuel. | He said: "Our highways are clogged with traffic, costing us $80 billion a year in lost productivity and wasted fuel. |
| "Our airports are choked with increased loads. We're at the mercy of fluctuating gas prices all too often," he said. | "Our airports are choked with increased loads. We're at the mercy of fluctuating gas prices all too often," he said. |
| "We pump too many greenhouse gases into the air. What we need, then, is a smart transportation system equal to the needs of the 21st Century." | "We pump too many greenhouse gases into the air. What we need, then, is a smart transportation system equal to the needs of the 21st Century." |
| List of potential routes | List of potential routes |
|
|
Previous version
1
Next version