METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Report: Market value of high-speed rail to hit $907 billion

The move for high-speed rail in the U.S. will create or save tens of thousands of jobs in areas like track-laying, manufacturing, planning and engineering, and rail maintenance and operations, according to the study.

March 1, 2011
2 min to read


The successful installation of a fast moving transportation system is beneficial on two levels. First, it would decrease the nation's reliance on depleting fossil fuels and secondly, high-speed rail would stimulate local economies and drive growth across the U.S., according to SBI Energy's new industry study, "High Speed Rail Infrastructure Component Manufacturing."

The study also reports that the accumulated market value of global high-speed rail manufacturing sectors was $244 billion from 2005 to 2009 and will grow to reach $907 billion between 2010 and 2015.

Ad Loading...

Nations around the globe are increasing their roll out of high-speed rail initiatives during 2010, making them an integral part of the overall transportation infrastructure. Several countries in Europe, for example, currently lacking a high-speed rail system have made commitments to begin construction by the end of the year.

In Asia, a multitude of development projects are underway with anticipated completion dates between 2015 and 2020 and, of the 17,000 miles of planned high-speed rail track implementations worldwide, nearly 10,000 miles are allocated for Asia, SBI Energy reports.

The move for high-speed rail in the U.S. will create or save tens of thousands of jobs in areas like track-laying, manufacturing, planning and engineering, and rail maintenance and operations, according to the study. Over 30 rail manufacturers, both domestic and foreign, have agreed to establish or expand their base of operations in the U.S. if they are hired to build the country's next generation high-speed rail lines — a commitment the Obama Administration secured to help ensure new jobs are created in the U.S.

This SBI Energy report analyzes the market opportunities that global high-speed rail manufacturers are eager to embrace through the next decade, examines the critical trends driving high-speed rail growth by region and forecasts the value of this growth by each of the manufactured components, and the socioeconomic and consumer-based trends affecting the industry.

For more, click here.

More Rail

An overhead rendering of the Austin Transit Partnership rail system.
Railby StaffApril 16, 2026

Austin Transit Partnership Names Contractor for Light Rail Operations Facility

The ATP board’s approval of the KAP team enables ATP to begin pre-construction activities, including advancing design, initiating permitting, and preparing the site for future construction.

Read More →
A Coach USA Van Hool CX 45 delivered by ABC Companies.
Busby StaffApril 15, 2026

ABC Delivers Van Hools to Coach USA and More in Biz Briefs

In METRO's latest installment, we take a look at the latest news from suppliers including Moovit, CAF, and more.

Read More →
A photo of an Amtrak train with a logo
Technologyby StaffApril 15, 2026

Amtrak Advances Plan for New Long-Distance Fleet

The railroad has issued a formal request for proposals to manufacturers for more than 800 new passenger railcars that will serve 14 long-distance routes nationwide.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A headshot of Inez Evans Benson
Busby Alex RomanApril 15, 2026

Inez Evans Benson on Rethinking Transit Through Customer Experience

The WSP leader discusses why agencies must look beyond satisfaction metrics and take a more holistic, community-driven approach to service.

Read More →
NJ TRANSIT's new Multilevel III commuter railcar manufactured by Alstom
Technologyby StaffApril 14, 2026

Alstom Delivers First Multilevel III NJ TRANSIT Commuter Railcar

The delivery marks the first car in a 374‑vehicle order and begins the arrival of a new generation of higher‑capacity, more reliable, and more comfortable trains for one of the country’s busiest commuter rail systems.

Read More →
A BART train on the tracks.
Railby StaffApril 13, 2026

San Francisco's BART Breaks Multiple Records for Post-Pandemic Ridership in March

BART recorded 5,403,140 exits in March, making it the highest monthly ridership since the pandemic and surpassing the previous high set in October 2025 (5,346,890 exits).

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Ribbon cutting photo celebrating SEPTA's new Ardmore Station
Railby StaffApril 13, 2026

Philadelphia's SEPTA Celebrates New Ardmore Station

The station was rebuilt as part of SEPTA’s Station Accessibility Program, making it fully ADA accessible with new elevators, ramps, and high-level platforms.

Read More →
Two Metra locomotives on rail tracks.
Railby StaffApril 10, 2026

Metra Reaches New 10-Year Agreement with BNSF

The announcement highlights the long-standing partnership between the Class I railroad and the commuter rail system, dating back to Metra's creation in 1983.

Read More →
Ribbon cutting at Siemens' new North Carolina facility.
Railby StaffApril 9, 2026

Siemens Opens North Carolina Railcar Manufacturing Facility

Site construction is complete, production is underway, and the first locally built passenger coaches are on track for delivery in Summer 2026.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Two MBTA railcars in station.
Railby StaffApril 9, 2026

MBTA Completes Key Red Line Signal Upgrade Weeks Early

Crews completed a significant portion of the testing required before commissioning the new, digital signaling system, which will bring important upgrades that strengthen Red Line service reliability for riders and provide Red Line Operations the ability to route trains more quickly, turn trains around faster, and recover from unplanned disruptions more efficiently, said MBTA officials. 

Read More →