The First Phase of California’s High-Speed Rail Project Provides the Greatest Economic Benefits Compared to Full Build Out
Policy Brief

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Program Area(s):

Transportation & Communities

Date: January 1, 2025

Author(s): Pablo Fajgelbaum, Cecile Gaulbert, Matthew Tauzer

Abstract

The California High-Speed Rail (HSR) project aims to transform transportation in the state. To understand the impact of this project as it “rolls out” across the state, we analyzed its economic benefits across each of its planned phases, complementing official projections from the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA). Our analysis is based on a spatial economic model of the rail system model previously developed by members of our team. This model captures the direct potential travel benefits of the HSR project, such as quicker and sometimes cheaper transportation, for commuters, business travelers, and leisure travelers. It also captures wider economic benefits such as higher wages and land values stemming from greater concentration of employment in more productive areas.

About the Project

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