Train transportation is getting his revenge over car and air transportation, after 50…

Train transportation is getting his revenge over car and air transportation, after 50 years of public apathy. This rebound is grounded on solid beliefs regarding oil price increase, pollution, urban congestion, and comfort. Actually, this evolution has been drawn by the emergence of high speed trains (over 250 km/h) that combine comfort, convenience and economical advantages. Consequently, high speed lines network is due to increase by a rate of 12% average per year. Nonetheless, such projects have a large impact on the crossed areas, so they are subject to a particular attention from public regulators and local communities. Any investment must be carefully addressed through ESHIA studies to enhance public acceptance. In addition, project financing is not anymore supported exclusively by public funding, but rather by PPP partnerships or private consortiums. Investors are expected the profitability to be measured according to all uncertainties related to a long term investment.