Lessons for Policy Makers in Non-High Speed Rail Countries: A Review

High speed intercity passenger rail is an inherently strong railway application. It operates over 250 km/hour. For perspective, high-speed represents the ultimate development of preexisting standard gauge infrastructure. Network of high-speed passenger rail lines aimed at reducing accident, reducing traffic congestion, air pollution cutting national dependence on foreign oil and improving rural and urban environments. In implementing such a program, it is essential to identify the factors that might influence decision making and the eventual success of the high-speed rail (HSR) project, as well as foreseeing the obstacles that will have to be overcome. In this paper we review, summarize the most important HSR projects carried out to date around the globe, namely those of France, Germany, Spain, Japan and China. We focus our attention on the main issues involved in the undertaking of HSR projects: their impact on mobility, the environment, the economy and on urban centers. By so doing, we identify lessons for policy makers and managers working on the implementation of HSR projects in Egypt. The conclusion is that there is likely to be a good case for the lessons to benefits in Egypt and developing countries.