Keywords: high-speed rail, transportation between cities, government investment, transport planning, costs and benefit, model share.

High speed intercity passenger rail is an inherently strong railway application. It operates over 250 km/hour. For perspective, high-speed represents the ultimate development of preexisting standard gauge infrastructure. Networks of high-speed passenger rail lines aim to reduce accidents, reduce traffic congestion, reduce air pollution, cut national dependence on foreign oil, and improve rural and urban environments. In implementing such a program, it is essential to identify the factors that might influence decision making and the eventual success of the high-speed rail (HSR) project, as well as foreseeing the obstacles that will have to be overcome. In this paper we analysis and summarize the most important HSR projects carried out to date around the globe, namely those of France, Germany, Spain, Japan and China. We focus our attention on the main issues involved in the undertaking of HSR projects: their impact on mobility, the environment, the economy, and on urban centers. By so doing, we identify lessons for policy makers and managers working on the implementation of HSR projects in Egypt. The conclusion is that these lessons provide benefits for Egypt and developing countries.

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