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The seven parts

Part 1Why Travel?

Part 2The World as It Is

Part 3The Idea and the Vision

Part 4Building and Running the Network

Part 5Economics, Governance and Law

Part 6The Education and Culture of Travel

Part 7The Road Ahead
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The Plan

Five phases, from the first studies to the last branch line.

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Three arteries, 33 branch lines, four sea crossings.

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Why America can’t build high-speed rail like Japan

Kianosh Rahmani
Published Nov 2, 2026

Japan has run high-speed trains since 1964; the United States is still waiting for its first true high-speed line. The video looks at the reasons: cost, law, land and politics.

Video: Earth Decoded, on YouTube.

Up next

Autoplay

China’s 603 km/h train racing a plane

China’s 603 km/h train racing a plane

Kianosh Rahmani November 2, 2026

A short clip of China’s 603 km/h maglev beside an aircraft.

Japan’s $72 billion train that flies through a mountain

Japan’s $72 billion train that flies through a mountain

Kianosh Rahmani November 2, 2026

Japan’s maglev line, built mostly in tunnels through the mountains.

The tunnel that will change Europe

The tunnel that will change Europe

Kianosh Rahmani November 2, 2026

A new tunnel that will shorten journeys across Europe.

Saudi Arabia’s railway across the desert

Saudi Arabia’s railway across the desert

Kianosh Rahmani November 2, 2026

A railway across the Arabian desert, and how it is built.

Russia’s 400 km/h train moves closer to the tracks

Russia’s 400 km/h train moves closer to the tracks

Kianosh Rahmani November 2, 2026

Russia’s planned 400 km/h train and its new line.

Australia’s new high-speed trains

Australia’s new high-speed trains

Kianosh Rahmani November 2, 2026

A look at the new fast trains planned for Australia.

More videos

China’s 603 km/h train racing a plane

China’s 603 km/h train racing a plane

Kianosh Rahmani November 2, 2026

A short clip of China’s 603 km/h maglev beside an aircraft.

Japan’s $72 billion train that flies through a mountain

Japan’s $72 billion train that flies through a mountain

Kianosh Rahmani November 2, 2026

Japan’s maglev line, built mostly in tunnels through the mountains.

The tunnel that will change Europe

The tunnel that will change Europe

Kianosh Rahmani November 2, 2026

A new tunnel that will shorten journeys across Europe.

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