Quick access to main page (top) Direct access to main contents Quick access to main page (bottom)

Record Flight Delays in the U.S.: Forbes Suggests High-Speed Rail for Solutions

globalautonews Views  

Forbes

Record Flight Delays in the U.S. Due to Worsening Weather

Forbes reported on November 11, 2023, that the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics has recorded over a million flight arrival delays this year, accounting for about 23% of all flights, the highest rate in a decade. The media outlet attributed this surge in chaos to worsening weather conditions associated with the climate crisis.

Zhenhua Chen, a professor of urban planning at Ohio State University, quotes Federal Aviation Administration data stating that about 75% of U.S. flight delays are weather-related, with severe thunderstorms and heat causing significant issues this summer.

Chen, who has conducted extensive research on weather’s impact on planes and trains, found that in regions like China, Europe, and Japan, where high-speed trains connect major cities, these trains enable travelers to complete short and medium-distance trips when bad weather disrupts flights.

Lack of High-Speed Trains in the U.S. Has Economic Implications

He argued that the lack of such alternatives in the U.S. has economic implications. Having extensively studied how adverse weather affects plane and rail travel in China, he emphasized that if the U.S. does not build a high-speed rail system, there will be opportunity costs, leading to losses in corporate productivity.

Paul Williams, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Reading in the UK, revealed in a study published in June 2023 that the surge in clear-air turbulence is particularly noticeable in the busy flight areas of the U.S. and the North Atlantic region. Researchers also found that such incidents increased by 55% between 1979 and 2020.

Global Expansion of High-Speed Train Networks

Sixty years after Japan introduced the Shinkansen, high-speed trains traveling over 186 miles (300 kph) per hour operated in Germany, France, South Korea, Taiwan, and others. China has a network spanning over 26,000 miles (about 42,000 km). Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia also plan to introduce high-speed trains.

However, there are none in the U.S. where high-speed trains seem to be more needed. This month, the Biden administration spent US$16.4 billion on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor to increase the speed of the Acela train operating from Boston to New York and Washington from 150 mph to 160 mph (about 240 – 260 kph). California’s US$105 billion high-speed system (pictured above) and the Brightline West, a private high-speed train connecting the outskirts of Las Vegas and Los Angeles, are each hoping for federal subsidies for their US$2.8 billion and US$3.75 billion projects this year.

European Approach: Bans on Short Flights and Energy Conservation

California and Brightline are promoting their train plans as low-carbon transportation options, planning to operate electric trains using primarily renewable power. According to data collected by British and European researchers, the CO2 emissions of the Eurostar running from Paris to London are only 4g/km per passenger.

In contrast, the average domestic flight in Europe emits 246g/km per passenger. There is no clear path to decarbonize the aviation industry, which accounts for 3% of total U.S. carbon emissions. Chen revealed that a typical U.S. domestic flight uses up to 10,000 gallons of fuel, so the U.S.’s 40,000 daily flights consume about 400 million gallons of jet fuel.

Some European countries have banned air travel for distances that trains can cover in less than two and a half hours, which is worth noting. The opinion that railways and apartments are better for energy conservation and environmental protection is gaining strength.

globalautonews
content@www.kangnamtimes.com

Comments0

300

Comments0

[BUSINESS] Latest Stories

  • Trump vs. Harris: Which U.S. Election Outcome Will Boost Stocks the Most?
  • THIS is the Country Jensen Huang Thinks Will Lead the AI Revolution
  • Volkswagen Shutting Down German Plant for the First Time Ever—Big Layoffs Expected
  • Google's Tax Tricks: How They Pay Pennies on Billions in Korean Revenue
  • Here’s What It Said on North Korea’s Propaganda Leaflets that Dropped Near Presidential Office
  • Why Samsung’s Founder Said 'Burn Them All' to His Own Phones

Weekly Best Articles

  • New Electric Sedans and SUVs: Volvo Expands Its EV Lineup with Bold Designs
  • Tesla’s Full Self-Driving Tech for Model 3 and Y Set for 2025—Can It Overcome Safety Issues?
  • California Police Frustrated by Tesla Model 3: Too Cramped, Not Practical
  • Trump vs. Harris: Which U.S. Election Outcome Will Boost Stocks the Most?
  • Kim Sejeong on Kiss Scene Prep: ‘It’s Like Laying the Foundation for a Building!’
  • Kim Tae Ri’s Character Faces Devastating Setback in ‘Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born’
  • Lee Seung Gi Goes Bald! Shocking Change for His Role in ‘About Family’
  • Man Who Sponsored $1.2M to Streamer Juice Se Yeon Says She Blocked Him After Scandals
  • BTS Music Video Star and Tattoo Model Kim Woo Young Remembered 6 Years Later
  • Outback’s Last Ride: Subaru Launches 30th Anniversary Edition with Exclusive Features
  • Chrysler’s 2025 SUV: A Glimpse into the Future of Electric Vehicles
  • Fiat’s ‘Ugliest Car’ Makes a Comeback with Hyundai’s Pixel Design Twist

You May Also Like

  • 1
    Chrysler’s 2025 SUV: A Glimpse into the Future of Electric Vehicles

    TECH 

  • 2
    Fiat’s 'Ugliest Car' Makes a Comeback with Hyundai’s Pixel Design Twist

    TECH 

  • 3
    Kim Nam Gil Spills Secrets About The Fiery Priest 2—Why Fans Should Be Excited

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 4
    BJ Juice Se Yeon Deletes ‘Suspicious’ Photo with Kim Haon—Fans Speculate Romance

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 5
    G-Dragon’s Secret Addiction? The K-pop Star Can’t Stop Watching Dating Shows

    ENTERTAINMENT 

Popular Now

  • 1
    Chef Triple Star Shows Up at Event Despite Explosive Cheating and Embezzlement Claims

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 2
    Jaehyun Joins the Military—Here’s What Happens to His Career While He’s Away

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 3
    BMW M3 to Feature 600 HP Mild Hybrid Powertrain—No Plug-in Hybrid Here!

    TECH 

  • 4
    Subaru BRZ Purple Edition: Only 500 Units Available in North America for $35,445

    TECH 

  • 5
    Brazil’s Beloved Nivus Gets a Facelift: New GTS Model Starts at $24,480

    TECH 

Weekly Best Articles

  • New Electric Sedans and SUVs: Volvo Expands Its EV Lineup with Bold Designs
  • Tesla’s Full Self-Driving Tech for Model 3 and Y Set for 2025—Can It Overcome Safety Issues?
  • California Police Frustrated by Tesla Model 3: Too Cramped, Not Practical
  • Trump vs. Harris: Which U.S. Election Outcome Will Boost Stocks the Most?
  • Kim Sejeong on Kiss Scene Prep: ‘It’s Like Laying the Foundation for a Building!’
  • Kim Tae Ri’s Character Faces Devastating Setback in ‘Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born’
  • Lee Seung Gi Goes Bald! Shocking Change for His Role in ‘About Family’
  • Man Who Sponsored $1.2M to Streamer Juice Se Yeon Says She Blocked Him After Scandals
  • BTS Music Video Star and Tattoo Model Kim Woo Young Remembered 6 Years Later
  • Outback’s Last Ride: Subaru Launches 30th Anniversary Edition with Exclusive Features
  • Chrysler’s 2025 SUV: A Glimpse into the Future of Electric Vehicles
  • Fiat’s ‘Ugliest Car’ Makes a Comeback with Hyundai’s Pixel Design Twist

Must-Reads

  • 1
    Chrysler’s 2025 SUV: A Glimpse into the Future of Electric Vehicles

    TECH 

  • 2
    Fiat’s 'Ugliest Car' Makes a Comeback with Hyundai’s Pixel Design Twist

    TECH 

  • 3
    Kim Nam Gil Spills Secrets About The Fiery Priest 2—Why Fans Should Be Excited

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 4
    BJ Juice Se Yeon Deletes ‘Suspicious’ Photo with Kim Haon—Fans Speculate Romance

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 5
    G-Dragon’s Secret Addiction? The K-pop Star Can’t Stop Watching Dating Shows

    ENTERTAINMENT 

Popular Now

  • 1
    Chef Triple Star Shows Up at Event Despite Explosive Cheating and Embezzlement Claims

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 2
    Jaehyun Joins the Military—Here’s What Happens to His Career While He’s Away

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 3
    BMW M3 to Feature 600 HP Mild Hybrid Powertrain—No Plug-in Hybrid Here!

    TECH 

  • 4
    Subaru BRZ Purple Edition: Only 500 Units Available in North America for $35,445

    TECH 

  • 5
    Brazil’s Beloved Nivus Gets a Facelift: New GTS Model Starts at $24,480

    TECH 

Share it on...