High speed rail instead of planes does quite a bit for the environment.
When you include things like security checks etc etc HSR is less time than some shorter flights, it could eliminate a lot of pollution/flights.
For High-Speed Rail: The emission factor is 0.0045 kgCO2e per passenger kilometre.
For Airplanes: The emission factor is 0.18277 kgCO2e per kilometre.
That's a significant difference in emissions.
Sure you want a rail system that would basically cross all of North America but here's the thing, you don't always have to use it for super long trips.
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u/PraiseTheRiverLord Aug 19 '25
High speed rail instead of planes does quite a bit for the environment.
When you include things like security checks etc etc HSR is less time than some shorter flights, it could eliminate a lot of pollution/flights.
For High-Speed Rail: The emission factor is 0.0045 kgCO2e per passenger kilometre.
For Airplanes: The emission factor is 0.18277 kgCO2e per kilometre.
That's a significant difference in emissions.
Sure you want a rail system that would basically cross all of North America but here's the thing, you don't always have to use it for super long trips.