New York is working to enhance its rail services, but establishing high-speed rail, as seen in many other countries, remains a challenge.
A state and federal review titled “High-Speed Rail Empire Corridor” was completed last year, detailing plans to reduce travel times and improve reliability along the Empire Corridor, which stretches from Niagara Falls to New York City.
However, the proposed improvements are expected to reach peak speeds of only 90 mph—well below the 125 mph threshold typically required for high-speed trains in the U.S.
Experts highlight several obstacles hindering the development of high-speed rail in New York.
Sarah Kaufman from NYU Rudin Center noted that significant financial investments and uninterrupted land segments are necessary, both of which are hard to secure in the state. Robert Cervero, a professor emeritus at UC Berkeley, pointed out that much of New York’s rail infrastructure is over a century old, making upgrades complex and costly.
Additionally, William C. Vantuono, editor-in-chief of Railway Age, emphasized the lack of prioritization for intercity passenger rail by federal and state governments.
Despite the challenges, the New York State Department of Transportation remains committed to improving rail services, recently completing an environmental impact statement to help secure federal funding for future projects.
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