TOEFL統合ライティング

📖 読解文章

The introduction of high-speed rail (HSR) systems in the United States has been a topic of considerable debate. Proponents argue that investing in HSR would bring substantial economic, environmental, and social benefits. First, HSR would stimulate economic growth by creating jobs during construction and operation, and by boosting productivity through reduced travel times between major cities. For example, the construction of a single HSR line could generate tens of thousands of jobs, and the subsequent operation would require ongoing staffing for maintenance, ticketing, and security. Second, HSR is environmentally friendly because it runs on electricity, which can be generated from renewable sources, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions compared to airplanes and cars. Studies from countries like Japan and France show that HSR has significantly lower carbon emissions per passenger-mile than air travel. Third, HSR would alleviate congestion on highways and at airports, leading to fewer delays and less stress for travelers. By shifting passengers from cars and planes to trains, HSR could free up capacity on crowded roadways and in busy airspace, improving overall transportation efficiency. These benefits, advocates claim, justify the high upfront costs of building HSR infrastructure.

🎧 リスニング講義

Now, I’d like to address the points in the reading. While the arguments for high-speed rail sound appealing, they are not as convincing as they appear. First, regarding job creation, the reading overlooks that most HSR construction jobs are temporary. Once the line is built, the permanent jobs are relatively few, often less than the number of jobs lost in other sectors due to the diversion of funding from road and airport maintenance. In fact, studies show that for every billion dollars spent on HSR, the net job gain is much lower than if that money were invested in improving existing transport networks. Second, the environmental claim is misleading. Although HSR trains run on electricity, in the United States, most electricity is still generated from fossil fuels. Moreover, the construction of HSR requires massive amounts of concrete and steel, which produce significant carbon emissions. When you factor in the entire life cycle, HSR may not be cleaner than modern, fuel-efficient airplanes, especially if the train ridership is low, as is often the case in sprawling American cities. Third, the claim about alleviating congestion is questionable. HSR only makes sense for short-to-medium distances, typically under 500 miles. But many American city pairs are either too short for HSR to beat the convenience of driving or too long for it to compete with flying. For example, a trip from New York to Washington is only marginally faster by HSR than by plane, but it requires costly new infrastructure. In cities where HSR has been built, airport congestion was not significantly reduced because people who use HSR often switch from buses or conventional rail, not from cars or planes. Thus, the potential congestion relief is largely overstated.