Questions to discuss

High-speed railways

 1.	Where was the idea of high-speed trains introduced? What was another milestone?
 2.	Name the 3 criteria of high-speed trains.
 3.	What is TGV? (Where was it introduced; what is the speed record)
 4.	Say a few words about high-speed railway lines in Great Britain.
 5.	China and Japan are pioneers in high-speed rail technology. Comment on the statement.
 6.	The USA is the richest country in the world. Still it has very few modern rail-lines. Why?

Rail Baltic

TEN-T project,Trans-European Transportation Network,was initiated by the EU Commission with the aim to create a unified and efficient transportation network, which objectives are to remedy bottlenecks, modernise infrastructure and enhance cross-border traffic flows. TEN-T will include 9 transportation corridors, 94 important European ports and 38 large airports.  The goal is that by the year 2050 most citizens and companies in Europe will be no more than 30 minutes away from the feeder roads network. This will ensure more seamless and faster transport all over Europe.  
Rail Baltic is a part of TEN-T project.

 1.	What is the difference between the expressions “Rail Baltic” and “Rail Baltica”?
 2.	What countries does the project concern?
 3.	The project is not only the creation of railway infrastructure. What else will be developed?
 4.	Name 3 main objectives of Rail Baltic. Use the expressions 

improve communication/the use of …; increase mobility/ freight flow; provide more favourable traffic conditions; stimulate economic development; support cost-saving transport; pay attention to …; enhance efficiency/safety; implement measures/multi-level junctions/video surveillance

 5.	Speak about the problems of Rail Baltica in Lithuania.

 6.	Speak about Rail Baltic in Estonia – length, route(s), trains, cost, time frame of construction