What is High Speed Rail?

High Speed Rail is a state-of-the-art, world-class transportation system that provides efficient, reliable and comfortable city-to- city travel at speeds of 120 mph or greater. High speed trains contain modern amenities and conveniences, and are time and price competitive with other modes of transportation. Currently, several high speed rail systems operate in the United States, Europe and Asia. Amtrak's Acela Express trains operate at speeds in excess of 135 mph between Boston, New York and Washington, D.C.

In Florida, the proposed high speed rail system will be constructed on tracks or overhead guideways that will be completely separated from automobile traffic. Several high speed technologies exist in the marketplace today including conventional steel wheel on steel rail systems and magnetic levitation (maglev) systems. The Authority's Request for Proposal remained technology neutral, allowing Proposers to select the technology that worked best for their system and business plan. The Fluor Bombardier team proposed the JetTrain, a turbine propelled steel wheel technology. Global Rail Consortium proposed an electric train system, also steel wheel on steel rail.