That makes sense on those tradeoffs, I'm just wondering how many people would use high speed rail by going to a station and waiting for it. Maybe if they could make the departure and arrival seamless. And also have frequent departure times it could work. I used to take the train a lot from New Jersey to NYC and the 1 hour gap made it kind of a PITA, 15 minute increments makes it so one doesn't have to plan so much around it, and it is thus more likely one can rely on it.

"cars are bumpy trains are smooth "

Your delusions never cease to amaze.