Skip to Content
Streetsblog California home
Streetsblog California home
Log In
Podcast

Talking Headways Podcast: High-Speed Rail Lessons from France and Germany

france_germany_hsr
In France, the high-speed rail system is designed to provide the fastest possible connections to a single city, Paris, while in Germany the rail network has more connections but slower trips. Graphic: Eric Eidlin
false
podcast icon logo
false

This week we’re joined by Eric Eidlin, a community planner and sustainability lead at the Federal Transit Administration. Over the last few years Eric has also been studying high-speed rail in Germany and France as a fellow with the German Marshall Fund. He recently published a report, "Making the Most of High-Speed Rail in California: Lessons from France and Germany."

Eric discusses the differences between the French and German systems and what we can learn from each. He delves into the importance of station location, land uses for station areas, integrating walking and biking with stations, and having a 50-year view of planning these projects. And of course, you won’t want to miss lessons for California’s planned system going forward.

As always, you can find us on iTunes or Stitcher if you want to subscribe directly.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog California

Tuesday’s Headlines

Traffic returns, protests continue, Highway 1 Is...Wait a second, does that say a baby fell out of an SUV window?

January 27, 2026

What’s A Transportation Reformer’s Role In the Fight Against ICE Violence?

Migrants and protestors are being killed in the streets by ICE agents. What should transportation reform advocates do?

January 26, 2026

Hearing Held on Extending the Central Subway

It's a big lift. But Supervisor Sauter wants SFMTA to keep it on the agenda.

January 26, 2026

Eyes on the Street: 6th Street Viaduct ‘PARC’ Construction

Sixth Street PARC - Park, Arts, River & Connectivity - construction is nearly complete, and expected to finish this year.

January 26, 2026

Los Angeles Anti–Housing Law Push Escalates as Metro Board Seeks SB 79 Exemption

Metro staff warn that state law facilitating transit-oriented housing could “harm transit expansion... by galvanizing housing opponents against new light rail stations and dedicated bus lanes.”

January 26, 2026

Monday’s Headlines

People are fed up with ICE and unsafe streets.

January 26, 2026
See all posts