>>1966101Apart from the somewhat arbitrary boundaries, the main problem with that map wrt HSR is that it's using poorly chosen metrics to identify high-value nodes. Population + density is a proxy for "high-value." In theory there are other factors, but most of middle America doesn't have any special bonuses.
The easiest way to see the difference is to actually visit this site:
https://luminocity3d.org/WorldPopDen/#10/47.5056/19.0558Browse cities in Europe. Most have a solid red core.
Look at the USA. Most cities don't have a solid red core. Many have no red at all.
There are exceptions. The Northeast Corridor, Chicago, LA, San Fran, Seattle. Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver in Canada. Miami doesn't have much red but is long and narrow which tends to favor rail quite a bit.
If I was going to develop HSR in the US I would prioritize NY to Chicago, with Toronto and Montreal if possible. I know that's less exciting than all the rapid growth in the south, but it's more practical and those rust belt regions could actually benefit substantially by having better access to the Northeast Corridor (and NEC people being able to more easily get to the midwest).
