HSR's should be evaluated not just on the present demand, but what kind of demand they might create if they compete effectively with e.g. airline travel. If the

HSR's should be evaluated not just on the present demand, but what kind of demand they might create if they compete effectively with e.g. airline travel. If they're able to reduce the costs enough (or if the Fed subsidizes, which it absolutely should), it might even create more demand. The plans drawn in the article link high density cities, many of which face housing shortages. By connecting them with fast, cheap rail, it might make it possible to commute between these cities. Which I would argue is better than driving for hours through rush hour traffic.