This review paper enquire into the High-Speed Rail (HSR) venture undertaken by China and Spain. The high-speed rail situation in the two countries is analysed to assess how the same technology has grown in two different ecosystems. The main factors that taken into account in this paper are: demand, social profitability, optimal distance, infrastructure, investors and return on investment. The HSR in both China and Spain is supported by the central government as the main investor. The HSR is affected by the size of the venture and the unpredictability of its return on investment. HSR is regarded as an engine for the economic growth of the country as well as a way to advance social development. This paper also compares the HSR with the Concorde, another disruptive innovation in transportation technologies. Both HSR and Concorde shares similarities as they offer significant reduction in traveltime but at a high price ticket. However, as long as the governments continue to support the HSR endeavors, it will continue to thrive unlike the Concorde. Even though HSR is more expensive compared to other modes of transportation, it is still viable and competitive option especially for mid-range distances. This paper concludes that the HSR venture in Spain is a better option compared to China because the majority of its most populated cities are within the mid distance range.
Volume 12 | Issue 1
Pages: 329-338
DOI: 10.5373/JARDCS/V12I1/20201912