The analysis reported on in this paper examines environmental, energy and economic benefits for specific, though different, proposed state wide high speed rail (HSR) systems combined with a regional MAGLEV proposal under review in Florida. One of the HSR proposals and the MAGLEV system are projected to be fully permitted within the next eighteen months and operational by the 1994-96 period. The specifics of each applicant's proposals are integrated into a complex computer model which reflect different: 1) technologies and speeds, 2) energy demands and other resource needs, 3) system service level characteristics, 4) ridership levels, 5) modal splits combined with 6) other system differences. This computer model then integrates the unique a) fuel consumption and b) emission levels of the actual electrical generation grid supplying the HSR and MAGEV systems in central and south Florida. Finally, the model quantitatively combines this data with equivalent emissions, energy and other system information on auto and airplane transportation modes. This data and pertinent user characteristics enable the model to estimate precise environmental, energy and economic benefits (expressed in 1990 dollars) for each unique HSR and MAGLEV transportation system for the year 1999 alone.
Samenvatting