Electronic book available via the Ebook Central platform.

I. What have we learned so far from high-speed rail systems around the world? -- Background on high speed rail -- Realising the potentil of HSR : the United Kingdom experience -- The Shikansen and its impacts -- Where high-speed rail is relevant : the French case study -- evidence from the Italian high-speed rail market : competition between modes and between HSR operators -- High-speed rail in Spain : territorial management and sustainable urban development -- High-speed rail and air travel complementarity : the case of Germany -- Taiwans HSr and the financial crises of the Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation -- the influence of high-speed rail : an operator's perspective on risk reduction through informed use of forecasting -- Enhancing the cost-benefit analysis of high-speed rail -- II. California's bold HSR adventure : transforming transport culture in America -- Background on high-speed rail in California -- High-speed rail and smart growth in California -- Institutional evolution and the politics of planning HSR in California -- High-speed rail and economic development : business agglomerations and policy implications -- Environmental impact of high-speed rail in California -- Uncertainties in the life cycle assessment of high-speed rail's energy and environmental impacts -- Equity analysis of California high-speed rail -- NIMBY reactions to HSR : conflicts over the proposed right of way -- High-speed rail stations as transportation nodes and places : lessons for California -- Conclusions : high speed rail and sustainability.