Book excerpt: High-Speed Rail Planning, Policy, and Engineering: Trends and Advanced Concepts in High-Speed Rail looks at some of the most recent developments in high speed and other ground transportation around the world, and closely examines the Northeast Corridor in the United States, surveying the flaws and potentialities, projecting what could be done with some moderate improvements in its infrastructure. Other possible improvements with more general application are reviewed, and some non-rail transportation alternatives are also examined.