An incremental improvement to existing passenger rail corridors, utilizing upgraded track, advanced signaling, and tilting trains to increase top speeds. It offers a middle ground between standard intercity service and true high-speed rail, improving trip times without the exorbitant cost of building an entirely new, dedicated alignment.
They're laying continuous welded rail and upgrading the crossings to support higher-speed rail on the corridor.
Related terms
High-speed rail
A passenger rail network designed for sustained operating speeds well above conventional trains, typically exceeding 150 mph.
HFR
High-Frequency Rail is a passenger rail strategy focused on running more trains per day rather than achieving extreme top speeds.
Line speed
The maximum authorized velocity for a specific section of track under normal conditions.