With statewide high-speed transit on the horizon, some are hoping the possibility may someday ease air traffic and noise over Point Loma from Lindbergh Field. But with the idea still in its infancy, questions abound. The Peninsula community will have the opportunity tonight to get some of theirs answered at the “TRANSITions High-Speed Transit Forum” tonight at Point Loma Nazarene University’s Brown Chapel. “The forum is an opportunity for the general public to begin a conversation about what these systems should look like in terms of the design, aesthetics and ergonomics of the system,” said Mark Adler, the program’s chair. The forum is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. at Brown Chapel, 3900 Lomaland Drive. Tickets will be sold at the door for $15. San Diego based non-profit Design Innovation Institute is hosting the forum. Among the topics covered will be the three different modes of high speed that could be used for the project – high-speed rail, personal rapid transit and magnetic levitation (maglev) trains. “We’re going to show people what exists in the world currently and the three modalities,” Adler said. “We’ll present that, and panelists will then discuss the design of these systems.” Of the three systems, Adler said California is currently looking at the high-speed rail option. High-speed rail uses conventional rails, but trains go significantly faster. “We’re in a position to begin a conversation here in California as to what these systems might look like because the state has begun to study the rights-of-way and the environmental aspects of this,” Adler said. Panelists at the forum are expected to include economist and University of San Diego professor Alan Gin, American Magline Group head M. Neil Cummings and urban and transportation designers. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is also an invited speaker. “It’s a whole-brain approach to the problem of the high-speed transit systems that are upon us here in California.” Adler said. “We want to bring together people who are designers and also practitioners.” The plans for high-speed rail in California were set in motion when voters passed Proposition 1A in the November 2008 election. The proposition issues $9.95 billion in bonds to establish a high-speed transit network across the state. According to Adler, the governor has said he is seeking funds for the project from the federal government. “The decision has been made,” Adler said. “It’s just a question of how we do this now.” Adler said high-speed trains could be running in the middle of California as early as 2014. The system won’t make its way down to the San Diego area until years after that, however. “San Diego happens to be on the end of the timetable,” Adler said. When or if high-speed transit reaches San Diego, Adler said it could have an impact on traffic at Lindbergh Field. He cited a high-speed train in Italy that runs from Rome to Milan that has cut down on Alitalia airline’s operations at each of the two airports in Rome. “There is a multiplicity of choice that could be available if these systems are properly designed,” Adler said. “For Point Loma, that would mean a possible reduction of the amount of air traffic that goes over that area.” For more information about the forum or high-speed rail concepts, visit www.designinnovationinstitute.org.