History, partnerships, and promise for the future were among the common elements on which experts focused at the July 11 Opening Session of the UIC 8th World Congress on High-Speed Rail in Philadelphia. More than 2,700 high-speed rail professionals participated in the congress.

In an enthusiastic speech, Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood noted that now is an exciting moment to spotlight high-speed rail. “It is happening right now and it has been for decades,” he told the audience.

“When [FRA Administrator] Joe Szabo invited me here today, he called this the ‘Olympics’ for high-speed rail in the world,” LaHood said. He also referred to the recent California decision, which he called an investment that will impact the lives of generations to come.

“America has always been a nation of dreamers and builders; that’s how this city started. We need to think big for a strong and prosperous nation,” he said.

Citing the Golden Gate Bridge, the Panama Canal, and the Interstate Highway System as precursors to U.S. high-speed rail, LaHood said: “What we are doing is what other generations have done for us—and many of these were done in tough financial times.”

He continued: “It is a historic time to be in our country. High-speed rail is not a pipe dream …. [it] has come to America. The train has left the station.”

UIC Director-General Jean-Pierre Loubinoux welcomed the more than 2,700 rail experts in attendance at the congress, representing 37 countries, and recognized the many dignitaries—both American and international—in the audience.

“Two years ago we said goodbye to China; today we say good morning America,” he said, referring to the last UIC congress, held in Beijing in 2010.

Loubinoux noted that the congress was possible because of APTA’s invitation, adding: “I truly hope this conference will become a milestone in the history of high-speed rail.”

This year’s meeting is occurring at a symbolic time, he added: UIC is celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2012. The international association has 200 rail members from 91 countries with more than one million km of lines.

“The congress is a unique platform,” continued Loubinoux, who also served as the session moderator. “All over the world, high-speed rail means economic development, competitiveness, and growth; less congestion; less dependence on foreign energy resources; and fewer casualties on the roads. Conference participants over the next three days will see the value and benefits of high-speed rail and practical ways to implement it.”

Osamu Yoshida, Japan’s senior vice minister of land, infrastructure, transport, and tourism, told the audience how several years ago, then DOT Secretary Norman Y. Mineta “on short notice attended a [UIC] congress. Today we have the current secretary of transportation, Ray LaHood [in attendance]. I feel a sense of destiny that this is being held in the United States.”

Yoshida also said he was looking forward, over the course of the congress, to learning from his fellow attendees and exchanging information.

APTA President & CEO Michael Melaniphy welcomed the attendees to the U.S. and to Philadelphia, which he recognized as a city of many firsts—and, as such, a most appropriate site for the first World Congress on High-Speed Rail that UIC has ever held in the country.

The U.S., according to Melaniphy, must remain economically competitive, and high-speed rail is an economically viable way to achieve this: its impacts on mobility and the economy are clear, and Americans understand and support it. The U.S. continues to make incremental progress and work is underway, he said, but much remains to be done.

Melaniphy cited the recent breakthrough in California, where the state senate passed a budget measure in favor of high-speed rail to reaffirm its commitment to the technology. “This vote and matching funds from the U.S. DOT mean that $6 billion will go into a 130-mile high-speed segment in the Central Valley region,” he told the audience. “This will contribute to a balanced transportation system, and we are thrilled it all came together right before you arrived for this Congress.”

He continued: “Your presence here in the United States—you, who are the world experts—will help us take our message and make it understood by those in Washington.”

Melaniphy also encouraged attendees to take time to talk to student volunteers who competed for the opportunity to attend the congress.

APTA Chair Gary C. Thomas, president/executive director, Dallas Area Rapid Transit, noted that his agency operates the largest light rail line in the United States. “We do things big in Texas,” he said, but warned that along with doing big things always comes resistance.

“There was criticism of President Abraham Lincoln when he said the United States needed a transcontinental railroad,” Thomas said. “Critics called the proposed New York/New Jersey tunnel financially and technologically impossible to build.” And President Dwight D. Eisenhower faced tremendous resistance toward his Interstate Highway System plan—mainly in how to pay for it.

“Today, these ventures and others stand as examples of America’s success, showing how transportation projects make our daily life possible and keep our economy moving,” Thomas added. “Today, we remember and applaud the vision of the presidents and governors who made these projects a reality—and not their critics. I predict the very same will happen with high-speed rail.”

Thomas cited a recent APTA survey that showed 62 percent of Americans likely to use high-speed rail, with more than half of them very likely. The figure soars to 74 percent for U.S. residents age 18-24.

‘Energy and Convenience’
UIC Chairman Yoshio Ishida recounted the many benefits of high-speed rail, saying: “In all the countries where high-speed rail is operating today, much energy is saved and it provides convenience to those who live along these lines.” He added that his wish for the congress was to see people learning from each other and exchanging ideas and information so a brighter future for high-speed rail can become reality.

Ishida also recognized people instrumental in organizing the congress, including Michel LeBoeuf, SNCF, National Corporation of French Railways, and chairman of the Scientific Committee, and Ignacio Barron de Angoiti, UIC director of high-speed rail.

Since UIC convened its last congress in 2010, 3,577 km of new rail lines have entered service, with 5,806 under construction and 9,673 planned. He added that 15 billion passengers have traveled on high-speed rail—twice the population of the Earth.
 Yoshida likened Japan’s Shinkansen high-speed rail line to fictional boxer Rocky Balboa, who after “fighting and fighting and fighting won—and that was what we are all doing: winning.” He noted that Shinkansen, the world’s first high-speed rail line that began in 1964, has a safety record of zero fatalities. Further, it has made important contributions to the economy, jobs, and social development throughout Japan.

Huawu He, chief engineer and Chinese minister of railways, noted that his country’s trains can reach speeds up to 487 mph and they transported one million passengers last year. “In the next 10 years,” he said, “we will be focusing on technology and innovation. The Chinese government knows the importance of developing railways.”

Suleman Keraman, director general and chairman of the board, Turkish State Railways, said his government has invested $15 billion in the development of high-speed rail since 2003.

Vladimir Yakunin, president, JSC Russian Railways, said his country has a project in development that will link Moscow to St. Petersburg and St. Petersburg to Finland. He cited the need for partnerships, saying it is critical to collaborate with colleagues who already have experience in this field.

Mauro Moretti, chief executive officer of FS, Italian National Railways IT, and vice chairman of CER-Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies, called high-speed rail the key driver for a country’s economy because it accounts for hundreds of millions of dollars. He predicted that European high-speed rail ridership will triple by 2030, then cited the need for public private partnerships for success.

Marcel Verslyphe, executive director of the European Railway Agency, said one of the main characteristics of high-speed rail in Europe is that it is open and transparent and favors competition.

Marc Descheemaecker, chief executive officer of SNCB/NMBS, National Railway Company of Belgium, said his country’s densely populated economy means that “mobility is everything.” Brussels, the Belgian capital, is home to many international organizations, he explained, and it needs to stay competitive or these companies will leave. Additionally, the nation’s many ports necessitate good mobility, which high-speed rail has helped to achieve.

Guillaume Pepy, president of SNCF, National Corporation of French Railways, said his country currently has seven high-speed rail lines, with four more under construction. He noted that, while the system is high-speed rail, it is also compatible with conventional lines. Pepy also cited public-private partnerships as key to future success, adding that France has recently signed four such agreements.

Apolinar Rodriguez, director of internal affairs for RENFE, Spanish Railways, said that, one year after entering service, the Madrid to Seville line connects 27 cities. He cited quality of service as critical—but putting the emphasis on profitability is also key. He said public-private partnerships help to achieve this model.

LeBoeuf gave an overview of the full program for attendees before the session concluded and the trade show opened.

Photo by Todd Parola Speakers at the Opening General Session of the UIC 8th World Congress on High-Speed Rail include Apolinar Rodriguez, RENFE, at podium, and seated from left, APTA President & CEO Michael Melaniphy; UIC Chairman Yoshio Ishida; APTA Chair Gary C. Thomas; DOT Secretary Ray LaHood; Guillaume Pepy, SNCF; and Marc Descheemaecker of Belgium.

 

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