Recently in Transportation Category

Earlier this week Matthew Yglesias linked to this outstanding illustration of the Eisenhower Interstate System represented in a format similar to the London Underground map.

If only our nation could have the foresight to implement such improvements to our rail systems.

At some point in this coming Century, peak oil, or a similar energy crisis, will require a national and comprehensive rail strategy. We will regret not getting a jump on that process.

(Hat tip: IFTF's Future Now blog.)

At times you may wonder what direction he's headed and whether he'll arrive, but George F. Will today endorses government subsidies for Amtrak and passenger rail services. He writes:

Thirty-two years and more than $40 billion in subsidies (in today's dollars) after Amtrak was cobbled together from the remnants of various passenger rail systems, a nationwide poll shows 71 percent public support for subsidizing Amtrak at current or increased levels. Support for Amtrak is strong among all regions, ages, education levels and income groups.

Amtrak -- long-distance trains, legislative logrolling and all -- should be counted as a cost of democracy. It is here to stay, like true love, only more so.

A conservative argues, albeit lukewarmly, that the government needs to subsidize rail just as it heavily subsidizes airline and automobile transportation.

Frankly, the mere recognition by someone on the right that our government subsidizes airlines and cars is a welcome development. Only by understanding that fact can we begin to develop more rational transportation -- and energy -- policies.