• Fast Trains to Connect US Cities, Alleviate Highway Congestion

    Friday, September 3rd, 2010

    Lora Kolodny began reporting on business, technology and entertainment in 2002. She has worked as greentech writer and editor at TechCrunch, and as a staff reporter for Inc. magazine and The Hollywood Reporter. Her New York Times blog, “The Prize,” covered the winners, losers, innovation and deal-making of business competitions. → Learn More

    The Obama administration back in January promised $8 billion in funding for cities and states to build high-speed, intercity rail projects.

    This week, the Department of Transporation issued its specifications for the manufacture of new fast trains, namely double-decker coach, dining, baggage, and business class passenger rail cars that can travel between 79 MPH and up to 220 MPH.

    Bi-level rail cars not typical in the US today, would accommodate more passengers, and hopefully alleviate congested roads and some resulting air pollution.

    According to the American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials (AASHTO) 95 percent of passenger travel in America is made by car, motorcycle and truck on our highways now.

    Expanding highway capacity and overhauling busted roads with more durable and sustainable materials can prevent some traffic jams. But even highway professionals advocate building efficient, intercity, high speed trains and upgrading our freight rail systems.

    Wireless companies like Groundlink and D-Link could win business rigging new high speed trains with internet service and related equipment.

    Cities that recently won government funding for their high speed passenger rail projects include: Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio, and Battle Creek, Michigan among others along the Detroit to Chicago route.

    Feds promised the biggest piece of the budget in their national high speed rail transit program earlier this year to large-scale efforts in Florida and California that would connect Tampa and Orlando with 168 MPH trains, and Los Angeles and San Francisco with trains running up to 200 MPH.

    Image via:Federal Railroad Administration

    Company: GroundLink
    Website: groundlink.com
    Launch Date: July 10, 2004
    Funding: $20M

    GroundLink is the next generation car service. We are your local car service everywhere, rolling in every U.S. city and 110 countries. We arrive on time, guaranteed or the next ride is free. The whole process is easy. Order the closest car or schedule a future ride online, on one of our apps, or even via phone. Track their drivers turn by turn on their mobile app. Paper vouchers? No way. Get your receipt in your inbox before leaving...

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    Company: D-Link
    Website: dlink.com
    Launch Date: 1986

    Founded in 1986, D-Link is a global leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of advanced networking, broadband, digital, voice and data communications solutions. Following our company motto, “Building Networks for People”, D-Link continually meets the global networking and connectivity needs of digital home consumers, small office professionals, small- to medium-sized businesses, and enterprise environments. D-Link’s core competency is in Ethernet connectivity. In fact, we are the global leader in providing network connectivity solutions to small and medium-sized business. From...

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