Citing the conduct of several studies on various aspects of high-speed rail service between Richmond, Virginia, and Washington, D. C. (particularly the Department of Rail and Public Transportation's studies of the potential for rail passenger service in the Richmond-Washington, Bristol-Washington, and Bristol-Richmond corridors House Documents No 51 and No. 57 of 1996), and a variety of benefits that could be flow from such service, the 1996 Session of the General Assembly adopted House Joint Resolution No. 252 (HJR 252, see Appendix A), establishing the 16-member High-Speed Rail System Commission. The panel included legislators, elected and appointed state officials, and representatives of the railroad industry. HJR No. 252 specifically charge the Commission with:

• Identifying where in Virginia high-speed rail service would be most effective and efficient, given the goals of an intermodal system;

• Determining the appropriate roles to be played by private and public entities in the planning and delivery of high-speed rail service;

• Setting a timetable for the development of a high-speed rail system; and

• Recommending how system construction and expansion should be financed.