Is the Emerald Express the Next Big Thing in Public Transit?

Could the Emerald Express be the future of public transit in America? That’s what the Virginia tech students who created the concept are hoping. Phil Padilla, Irfan Bhimji, Catherine Crenshaw, Matthew Decker and Aly Moreno designed a passenger rail system that uses the GenSet (GP-38) locomotive as the primary propulsion platform.

From Ecofriend:

This rail system would be used for both regional and intercity transportation. With a top speed of 100 mph and capacity for 250-350 passengers, the train would provide a cost-effective and environmentally-friendly form of transportation for many people in the state of Virginia and surrounding areas.

The primary focus of the Emerald Xpress is to offer passengers a holistic brand experience, both on and off the train. The brand experience begins with the exterior design of the locomotive and passenger cars, is carried throughout the interior, and even reaches a personal level through membership cards and accounts. The name Emerald Xpress is meant to reflect the environmentally-friendly characteristics of the train, along with the luxury and comfort it would provide its passengers.

The design emphasizes comfort and convenience, providing passengers with ample storage and power outlets. It’s a pretty slick concept, echoing all of the things that are right about European rail systems.

Fast, efficient, up-to-date public transit may be closer than it seems – U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood recently predicted that high-paying jobs will be available for Americans building high speed rail systems by the end of this summer.

Link [Ecofriend]

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