(11-03-2015, 02:00 PM)BuildingScout Wrote: I read somewhere in those reports that 45 min from KW to Union Station was feasible. This would make HSR the preferred mode of transportation to anyone going close to downtown Toronto when one considers parking prices in the equation. Add a stop at Pearson and we are talking in the order of 10K trips a day.
Here's the problem: HSR from KW to Union in 45min probably makes sense as long as there are no intermediate stops. It takes a while for an HSR to reach maximum speeds from a stop and then to slow down to make a stop. If an HSR has to stop at say Guelph, Bramlea and Pearson before it gets into Union then the "high speed" capability (and the cost of the special rail beds, locomotives, etc.) is wasted. If it doesn't stop at those locations then it loses potential passengers. Also the rail operator would still need to offer regular commuter train service to those locations in addition to HSR to points farther out.
If the objective is to provide frequent service to as many locations as possible it may make sense to avoid the extra costs of true HSR and go with 160 to 200 km/hr service. That's what in Europe would be called Inter-city rail or Railjet rather than HSR. I suspect most people would be willing to sacrifice absolute speed (say KW to Union in 1 hour rather than 45min) if it meant hourly service rather than every 2 or more hours.
But these sorts of tradeoffs are why we need to get some numbers and make informed decisions about what sort of regular service makes the most sense between London and Union.