In a narrative providing opposing viewpoints on the necessity for high-speed rail within the U.S., Scripps Information requested HOK Director of Transportation Luke Bridle to debate how new stations may affect cities and the surroundings.

“Transportation stations play an integral position in problems with sustainability, fairness and improvement,” stated Bridle. “When designed properly, a high-speed rail station can develop into important to shaping the very material of the town.

“It has the potential to affect the encompassing neighborhoods and inform the architectural framework of the town. Issues like considerate improvement, facilities and public area could make [rail stations] locations and form their context.”

From an environmental side, Bridle famous that trendy rail stations may push the envelope for sustainability as platforms for regenerative design.

“By the point high-speed rail is realized in the US, the stations themselves might be designed not solely to attenuate the affect on the surroundings, however to present again by way of regenerative design ideas. They may cut back vitality, produce vitality, clear the water and cut back waste.”

View Bridle’s full section on Scripps Information: