Modular Rail Bed Rail bed for High-Speed trains need to be specially built so that any Ballast used will not be lifted by the airflow of the passing train.  This problem has been solved in other nations and the BorderTransportationSystem needs to follow proven designs.  However, if the system uses MagLev, then the rail bed does NOT use Ballast, and although will be more costly, will have a 50-plus year minimum lifespan, as well as lending itself to being factory built.  The type of track used may dictate that the track be constantly inspected, and the Fraunhofer IPM is one possible solution to this.  The BorderTransportationSystem is the rail system of the future, and therefore one has to look at and compare the construction cost, maintenance cost, replacement cost and duration, and the ROI {Return on Investment} of the system and the various types of trains to be considered.  MagLev and HyperLoop tm. are preferred, but may be beyond the means of the investors. Index of ... Fraunhofer IPM - Railway Measurement Systems for High-Speed Inspection Trains What is Elon Musk’s 700mph Hyperloop? The subsonic train explained Ladder track - Wikipedia North American Maglev Transport Institute TGV track construction - Wikipedia