ORANGE BLOSSOM SPECIAL

High-speed rail and light rail are transportation options being considered in Florida where traffic congestion has become a way of life, particularly in the Tampa-Orlando-Miami triangle. Florida's population doubled between 1970 and 1990, leading officials to reevaluate their overburdened road system and plan for the future. This article describes the current enthusiasm in Florida for high-speed rail, which could attract 10 percent of intercity travelers by the year 2010. Proposals are now being reviewed. In addition, the article examines the use of commuter rail and light rail as a means of linking neighborhoods to entertainment and business centers. Federal, state, and local funding will determine the success of rail development in Florida. A sidebar explains the use of traffic calming devices.