ABSTRACT
High-speed rail (HSR) first began operation in Spain in 1992. The first HSR line, between Madrid and Seville, offered commercial speeds of 300-350 km/h, double those of conventional rail services (Ureña 2012a). Additional lines were built in subsequent years and today the HSR system connects with other major metropolitan areas in Spain (Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Bilbao and Málaga) as well as with many midsized and smaller cities. The system extends for 3,100 km, making it the largest HSR system in Europe.
