High Speed Rail: A Greenhouse Gas Emission Reducing Alternative to Cross Continental Passenger Air Travel

The focus of this study is an examination of high-speed rail (HSR) as a cost-competitive, carbon-reducing alternative to long-distance air transport. A case study comparing HSR and air transport for cross-continental travel from Charlotte, North Carolina, to San Francisco, California, was conducted. Two potential HSR routes were identified for comparison to the air transport route and a life cycle analysis was conducted to calculate emissions for each travel option. Capacity utilization of each transport option was parameterized to evaluate the effect that loading has on per person emissions. Further, economic comparison of HSR and air travel was performed to determine what effective carbon tax may be necessary to incentivize HSR over air travel. The results indicate that the construction of HSR is likely to reduce emissions relative to air travel. The results may be useful to policymakers, researchers, and practitioners examining options for decarbonizing long-haul passenger transport.