The Vision and the Blueprint: High Speed Rail in the United States and Launching High-Speed Rail in the U.S.: High-Speed Rail Sessions from APTA´s Annual Meeting, October 6, 2009

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) held its annual meeting in Orlando, Florida on October 4–7, 2009, including special sessions on high-speed rail. This e-book is the edited proceedings of two sessions, "The Vision and the Blueprint: High Speed Rail in the United States," and "Launching High-Speed Rail in the U.S.," which were held on October 6.

Introducing the first session, "The Vision and the Blueprint: High Speed Rail in the United States," was Dale Muellerleile, senior vice president and national director for transit engineering for HDR Engineering. Moderator for this session was Rod Diridon, Sr., chair, APTA High Speed and Intercity Rail Committee and executive director, Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI). Panelists included Karen Rae, deputy administrator, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA); Frank Busalacchi, secretary of transportation, Wisconsin DOT, and chair, States for Passenger Rail; and Gene Conti, secretary of transportation, North Carolina DOT, and chair, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Standing Committee on Rail Transportation (SCORT). Introducing the second session, "Launching High-Speed Rail in the U.S.," was Stephen Beard, senior vice president and national transit director, HDR Engineering. Moderating the second session was Jolene Molitoris, vice chair, APTA High Speed and Intercity Rail Committee, and Ohio Secretary of Transportation. Panelists included Nazih K. Haddad, executive director, Florida High Speed Rail Authority, and intercity passenger rail manager, Florida Department of Transportation; Richard Harnish, executive director, Midwest High Speed Rail Association; William A. Jones, III, CEO, Materials Transportation Company, president, BJ3 Industries, and mayor of Temple, Texas; and Rod Diridon, chair, APTA High Speed and Intercity Rail Committee and executive director, Mineta Transportation Institute. Also addressing the attendees was Bill Millar, president of APTA.