FAQs

High Speed Ground Transportation (HSGT) is a relatively new concept in the United States, and to help you better understand the basics of HSGT and how it might apply in this state, the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has placed frequently asked questions (FAQs) and their answers on this page.

 

Why was the route to Chattanooga selected?

Currently, the state and interstate highway system between Atlanta and Chattanooga are operating at or near capacity, and are unable to keep pace with transportation demand resulting from population growth in the region. This is especially evident within and adjacent to the major metropolitan areas of Atlanta, Rome, Dalton and Chattanooga. Although capacity improvements to the state and interstate system along the corridor are either currently underway or planned for the near future, they are considered interim, that is, they will not address all of the future capacity or mobility needs. Social and economic demands will continue to call for provision of alternative transportation choices for those individuals who cannot or choose not to drive, as well as those travelers looking for alternatives to congested highways. An HSGT system between Atlanta and Chattanooga has the potential of meeting this need for a non-highway transportation alternative.

The concept of HSGT service between Atlanta, Georgia and Chattanooga, Tennessee has been a subject of study for approximately ten years. Initially, GDOT studied this corridor as part of a 1997 Intercity Rail Plan. The Atlanta to Chattanooga corridor was first considered for HSGT service as part of the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Magnetic Levitation (Maglev) Deployment Program to demonstrate Maglev train technology in the United States.

 

What is the cost of the project?

The cost to construct the system is estimated to range between $6 and $9 billion dollars.

 

How many people are expected to use HSGT in this corridor if it is constructed?

It is estimated that ridership could range between 7,200 and 11,200 daily.

 

When is the system expected to be open to the public?

The first riders can expect to travel an initial segment by 2020.

 

How frequently will the trains run?

The preliminary operating plan has a mixture of express, limited and local trains. Although this plan is being refined, it can be anticipated that, at a minimum, there will be one train per hour, and during peak hours, several trains per hour.

 

How safe are these high speed rail systems?

High Speed Ground Transportation Systems are extremely safe. In order to minimize the possibility of train-vehicular or pedestrian collisions and maximize safety, this system would be fully separated from all streets and highways. Barrier intrusion systems would also be incorporated in areas where the system would be at-grade.

 

Will the Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) identify a preferred technology in addition to a preferred alignment?

The Tier 1 EIS will not identify a specific technology to advance. It will identify a preferred alignment and potential station locations that could be utilized by either the High Speed Steel-Wheeled or Maglev technologies. The selection of a preferred technology will be deferred to the next phase of more detailed environmental analysis.

 

What are the differences in energy consumption between Steel-Wheeled and Maglev?

The energy consumption differences will be analyzed as part of this study, and will be documented in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). The specific differences are not known at this time.

 

Does Maglev passenger service operate today? If so, where?

Maglev trains are operating today in regular passenger service in Shanghai China. A new Maglev Line is being planned in Japan to relieve current overcrowding on one of Japan’s current Bullet Train lines.

 

Does high speed Steel-Wheeled passenger service operate today? If so, where?

Yes, high speed Steel-Wheeled trains with operating speeds over 180 mph are in operation today in various countries of Europe and Asia. Currently, there are no steel-wheeled trains with speeds over 180 mph in operation in the United States, however several lines are being planned.

 

What are the initial thoughts on passenger fares?

A generalized fare schedule with estimated costs will be prepared as part of the study and included in the DEIS. Initial thoughts are that fares will be distance based, as well as time of day and operations based (express, limited or local service). It is possible that daily users such as commuters could benefit from discounts for pre-paid passes.

 

What are the considerations for park-and-ride lots?

Within the DEIS, general station parking requirements as well as park-and-ride facilities will be developed based upon ridership estimates and other transit systems, and will be used to assess station land needs and costs.

 

Have station stops been identified?

General station locations were identified for each of the alignments. The general locations were identified to establish travel times, station stops and potential ridership. The following potential stations stops were identified:

• Downtown Chattanooga
• Lovell Field Airport (Chattanooga)
• Dalton/Chatsworth
• Rome
• Cartersville
• Rockmart
• Douglas County
• Town Center
• Cumberland / Galleria
• Boulder Park
• Downtown Atlanta
• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (HJAIA)

 

Why are there no stops South of Atlanta?

The general project limits are from HJAIA to downtown Chattanooga. It is envisioned that future HSGT studies will focus on the area south of Atlanta. Depending on the potential alignments, these include, but are not limited to Atlanta-Macon-Savannah-Jacksonville, and Atlanta-Charlotte.

 

I am concerned about jobs for Georgians. How many jobs will this project bring to the communities, especially for minorities?

The number of temporary and permanent jobs generated by the implementation of this project will be calculated as part of this ongoing environmental analysis process and will be included in the DEIS that will be prepared.

 

During the Scoping Meetings, many different alignments were identified. Are all the alignments going to be examined in more detail in the Tier 1 EIS? If not, how will this selection be done?

All of the alignments identified during the completed Scoping Meetings will be examined in more detail in the Tier 1 EIS. However, only those alignments that best meet the project’s Purpose and Need will advance through the analysis.

The selection of the alignments that are recommended for further analysis in the Tier 1 EIS is based upon a screening process which looks at how well each alignment meets the project’s Purpose and Need. To determine this, a number of criteria were established that measure how well each alignment improves access and ridership in the corridor, avoids potential for environmental issues, and increases financial/economic benefits.

 

Will I have the opportunity to see the results of the screening process and provide input?

The results of the screening process will be the subject of the Public Information Meetings being held in various locations along the Atlanta - Chattanooga corridor. These meetings will provide information on the alignments that were screened, the measures that were used to compare alignments, the scoring results and recommended alignments. At these meetings you will have the opportunity to learn more about the process and have your opinions and concerns heard. All the comments received will be considered in the study process.

The Screening Process results are available on the Public Involvement page.