You have to be careful when comparing cost estimates for transportation systems. There is no simple way to estimate the costs of a high-speed transit project. In order to accurately compare two cost estimates, one must be familiar with all of the cost categories included or omitted in any given project profile so as to build a proper cost estimate on either a cost per mile or total system cost basis. The cost of a system in one corridor may also be very different to the cost of the same system in another corridor.
Local conditions can have a major impact on total system cost.
For example, comparing a Rocky Mountain corridor project to one in the Midwest is misleading as the Rocky Mountain project may include boring miles of tunnels and traversing rough terrain with steep grades, while the Midwest project may run straight over relatively flat land. Comparing a system within a major city with one built across open countryside is misleading. The Local Economy A system can be constructed in some countries inexpensively while the same system in another country might be quite expensive. If the system is to be located in a country with large supplies of sand and gravel, numerous pre-cast plants, and cheap labor, then the system will cost much less than one in an area which does not have these resources. The Maglift TM monorail system will usually be the least expensive alternative with return the greatest increase in capacity.