This presentation outlines a proposal for the development of a Medium Speed Rail (MSR) corridor between Sydney and Canberra as a technology tester for High Speed Rail in Australia.
Parkiteer - Secure bicycle access at Public Transport nodesScott Martin, CMILT
Parkiteer is a secure bike parking system being implemented at train stations across Victoria, Australia. It consists of a locked cage with bike parking systems, solar power, and electronic access controls. Over 40 Parkiteer cages have been installed, which has led to reductions in bikes on trains, especially during peak times. Utilization of the cages has remained high, with an average of over 100 bikes parked per week. Surveys found that 40% of users previously commuted by car but switched to cycling with Parkiteer. The system aims to promote multimodal transit use and more sustainable commuting options.
This document discusses how social media has impacted the music industry. It explores how musicians can now reach audiences directly through platforms like YouTube and Spotify without needing record labels. These new avenues allow artists to promote and share their music more widely by connecting directly with fans online.
Bringing HSR a step closer: Building a Railway for the 21st CenturyScott Martin, CMILT
This paper explores an incremental approach to providing a Medium Speed Rail (MSR) network with trains operating up to 200km/h. This will allow progressive enhancements toward a HSR solution rather than the currently recommended ‘big bang’ approach. The paper identifies changes required to produce a healthy intercity rail network to complement a successful HSR network using the Sydney-Canberra corridor as a case study.
Parkiteer - Secure bicycle access at Public Transport nodesScott Martin, CMILT
Parkiteer is a secure bike parking system being implemented at train stations across Victoria, Australia. It consists of a locked cage with bike parking systems, solar power, and electronic access controls. Over 40 Parkiteer cages have been installed, which has led to reductions in bikes on trains, especially during peak times. Utilization of the cages has remained high, with an average of over 100 bikes parked per week. Surveys found that 40% of users previously commuted by car but switched to cycling with Parkiteer. The system aims to promote multimodal transit use and more sustainable commuting options.
This document discusses how social media has impacted the music industry. It explores how musicians can now reach audiences directly through platforms like YouTube and Spotify without needing record labels. These new avenues allow artists to promote and share their music more widely by connecting directly with fans online.
Bringing HSR a step closer: Building a Railway for the 21st CenturyScott Martin, CMILT
This paper explores an incremental approach to providing a Medium Speed Rail (MSR) network with trains operating up to 200km/h. This will allow progressive enhancements toward a HSR solution rather than the currently recommended ‘big bang’ approach. The paper identifies changes required to produce a healthy intercity rail network to complement a successful HSR network using the Sydney-Canberra corridor as a case study.
Largely a historical document now, this outlines the commodities and freight flows moving by rail in New South Wales, Australia in 2005. I did this back when I was Editor of Railway Digest magazine.
Beyond Cost Alone: Evaluating LRT & BRT Options in Australian & NZ citiesScott Martin, CMILT
This document discusses evaluating light rail transit (LRT) and bus rapid transit (BRT) options for public transportation in Australian and New Zealand cities. It argues that debates over the superiority of LRT vs. BRT hampers effective transportation policy and project evaluation. While cost-benefit analyses of options are conducted, performance evaluations are less common and findings are often equivocal due to varying definitions of BRT and LRT. The document aims to outline simple, performance-based criteria to help evaluate whether LRT or BRT is most appropriate for a given city, recognizing that many Australian and New Zealand cities have invested billions in these systems with more projects planned.
The paper addresses managing the land transport effects of population growth and network congestion in Australia, this paper outlines the need by the mid-to-late 2020s for new major urban rail capacity projects to be completed such as Melbourne
Metro and new rail crossings of Sydney Harbour and the Brisbane River. For freight, it makes the case for constructing an inland railway between Melbourne, Parkes and Brisbane and improving the East-West rail corridor to North American Class I railroad standards. Regional rail networks linking grain areas to ports will also need upgrading, and more gauge standardisation will be needed. The benefits of new and improved rail
infrastructure will include less road congestion, improved safety, reduced dependence on imported oil and fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
A paper I presented at the CORE 2016 Conference in Melbourne and co-authored with A/Prof Philip Laird.
This document discusses improving Melbourne's tram and potential light rail network. It notes that while Melbourne's tram system plays a vital role, it is hampered by low speeds and traffic congestion. The document recommends a package of improvements to existing trams including better rights-of-way, increased frequency and capacity, and expanded accessible stops and vehicles. It also suggests developing new light rail routes on corridors like Ballarat Road and Wellington Road/North Road to serve major employment centers and provide faster cross-town connections. Supportive land use planning around transit is also seen as important to maximize the benefits of an improved tram and potential light rail network.
Parkiteer - Secure bicycle parking at PT nodes in MelbourneScott Martin, CMILT
The document discusses the introduction of secure bicycle parking cages called "Parkiteer" at public transport stations in Melbourne, Australia. Overcrowding on trains led to a ban on bicycles during peak times, which was overturned after public backlash. 23 bicycle cages were constructed in 2008 with electronic access and solar power, managed by Bicycle Victoria under contract. The cages saw a reduction in bicycles on trains and increased public transport use. The cages show how government must engage stakeholders to achieve desired outcomes for the public transport system.
Costing of Australian urban passenger rail project 2000-2012Scott Martin, CMILT
Here is a 3 sentence summary of the key points from the document:
SUMMARY: This study examines the costs of 28 major urban passenger rail projects constructed in Australia between 2000-2012, which totaled approximately $8.8 billion. The author aims to analyze and rank the projects by total cost and cost per kilometer in order to develop indicative cost profiles for different types of rail projects, including new lines, extensions, amplifications, and electrifications. By providing data on past project costs, the study seeks to help transportation agencies and decision-makers develop more accurate cost estimates and better manage risks for future rail infrastructure projects.
Largely a historical document now, this outlines the commodities and freight flows moving by rail in New South Wales, Australia in 2005. I did this back when I was Editor of Railway Digest magazine.
Beyond Cost Alone: Evaluating LRT & BRT Options in Australian & NZ citiesScott Martin, CMILT
This document discusses evaluating light rail transit (LRT) and bus rapid transit (BRT) options for public transportation in Australian and New Zealand cities. It argues that debates over the superiority of LRT vs. BRT hampers effective transportation policy and project evaluation. While cost-benefit analyses of options are conducted, performance evaluations are less common and findings are often equivocal due to varying definitions of BRT and LRT. The document aims to outline simple, performance-based criteria to help evaluate whether LRT or BRT is most appropriate for a given city, recognizing that many Australian and New Zealand cities have invested billions in these systems with more projects planned.
The paper addresses managing the land transport effects of population growth and network congestion in Australia, this paper outlines the need by the mid-to-late 2020s for new major urban rail capacity projects to be completed such as Melbourne
Metro and new rail crossings of Sydney Harbour and the Brisbane River. For freight, it makes the case for constructing an inland railway between Melbourne, Parkes and Brisbane and improving the East-West rail corridor to North American Class I railroad standards. Regional rail networks linking grain areas to ports will also need upgrading, and more gauge standardisation will be needed. The benefits of new and improved rail
infrastructure will include less road congestion, improved safety, reduced dependence on imported oil and fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
A paper I presented at the CORE 2016 Conference in Melbourne and co-authored with A/Prof Philip Laird.
This document discusses improving Melbourne's tram and potential light rail network. It notes that while Melbourne's tram system plays a vital role, it is hampered by low speeds and traffic congestion. The document recommends a package of improvements to existing trams including better rights-of-way, increased frequency and capacity, and expanded accessible stops and vehicles. It also suggests developing new light rail routes on corridors like Ballarat Road and Wellington Road/North Road to serve major employment centers and provide faster cross-town connections. Supportive land use planning around transit is also seen as important to maximize the benefits of an improved tram and potential light rail network.
Parkiteer - Secure bicycle parking at PT nodes in MelbourneScott Martin, CMILT
The document discusses the introduction of secure bicycle parking cages called "Parkiteer" at public transport stations in Melbourne, Australia. Overcrowding on trains led to a ban on bicycles during peak times, which was overturned after public backlash. 23 bicycle cages were constructed in 2008 with electronic access and solar power, managed by Bicycle Victoria under contract. The cages saw a reduction in bicycles on trains and increased public transport use. The cages show how government must engage stakeholders to achieve desired outcomes for the public transport system.
Costing of Australian urban passenger rail project 2000-2012Scott Martin, CMILT
Here is a 3 sentence summary of the key points from the document:
SUMMARY: This study examines the costs of 28 major urban passenger rail projects constructed in Australia between 2000-2012, which totaled approximately $8.8 billion. The author aims to analyze and rank the projects by total cost and cost per kilometer in order to develop indicative cost profiles for different types of rail projects, including new lines, extensions, amplifications, and electrifications. By providing data on past project costs, the study seeks to help transportation agencies and decision-makers develop more accurate cost estimates and better manage risks for future rail infrastructure projects.
Bringing High Speed Rail a step closer - Building a Railway for the 21st century
1. BUILDING A RAILWAY FOR THE 21st
CENTURY
BRINGING HIGH SPEED RAIL A STEP
CLOSER
Max Michell, Scott Martin and Philip Laird
2. HIGH SPEED RAIL IN AUSTRALIA IS A STEP CLOSER - OR IS IT?
• The 2013 report to the Federal Government recommended the
first stage by 2035 – more than 20 years off.
• That wait will have long since seen the demise of existing East
Coast passenger rail outside the urban and commuter areas.
• How can we get High Speed ready while waiting for the real
thing to eventuate – some thoughts and proposals in response
to this conundrum.
Heading
9. WHAT IS MEDIUM SPEED RAIL?
• MSR is a passenger rail system that is capable of running at 160
km/h or better over extended distances.
• MSR is an intermediate technology between classic rail and
HSR – can be an end in itself or as a stepping stone to HSR
• Australia is at best at the lower end of MSR – XPT, V/locity,
Diesel and Electric Tilt
10. HSR IS A HIGH CAPACITY SYSTEM – NEEDS HIGH VOLUME
TRAFFIC FLOWS TO SUCCEED:-
• Needs to run between large population centres.
• Needs to feed from other land based transport including
Medium Speed Rail (MSR) and urban rail.
• Can replace or complement air travel so needs to be able to
interchange at airports.
11. IF HSR IS A LONG WAY OFF HAS MSR A PART TO PLAY IN
AUSTRALIA?
• Could act as precursor to HSR.
• Could help retain longer distance rail in public consciousness.
• Could enable short sections of eventual HSR alignment and/or
infrastructure to provide a useful interim service.
• Could help to change land travel culture to include rail.
• Could include potential HSR feeder routes.
12. MSR today – Victoria
• Regional rail network
has 160 km/h running
on Bendigo, Ballarat
and Geelong lines.
• Rail transit times car
competitive on speed
and frequency
• Significant long-term
investment in track
and rolling stock
• Some potential for
further improvement
13. MSR today - Queensland
• Narrow gauge 160
km/h electric & diesel
tilt trains on North
Coast Line (Brisbane-
Rockhampton-Cairns)
• Modest infrastructure
investment across
1700km-long corridor
limits train overall
speeds & frequencies
• Potential for
significantly upgraded
rail infrastructure on
parts of the corridor
14. • XPT trains now 30 years old
but only NSW trains
capable of 160 km/h
• XPT services limited to
three main lines (South,
North Coast, West) with
low frequency and low
transit speeds.
• No known plans for XPT
replacement or track
improvement
MSR today – NSW
15. WHERE MIGHT MSR BE ADOPTED
• Notable that none of the Melbourne – Sydney – Brisbane route
has had any alignment improvement.
• Largest non capital city population is Newcastle area at
421,000, or 738,000 if you include the Central Coast.
• Closest capital city pair is Sydney (circa 5 mill) and Canberra
area (412,000)
• Both these are on future HSR route.
16. SYDNEY – NEWCASTLE
• High frequency but low speeds – typical semi-fast transit is 2h
27m to Broadmeadow (66 km/h); XPT best 2h 15m (72 km/h)
• Short-term improvements to alignment, new rolling stock and
better pathing to increase train speeds and reliability could
reduce travel times for ‘semi-fast’ trains to 2h 0m (81 km/h)
• Long-term travel times could reduce further to 1h 30m (105
km/h), but requires major infrastructure upgrades and high-
perfomance rolling stock
17. SYDNEY – CANBERRA
• Potentially the best candidate for Australian MSR development
• 30 flights (40 mins) and 15 bus departures a day (3h 30m) are
main competitors with rail (~4000 seats offered each way /
day) along with car
• Medium-term infrastructure upgrading to HSR alignment
standard is achievable in stages
• Route to North Canberra has long-term synergy with Sydney –
Melbourne HSR route
18. CANBERRA TO SYDNEY – SUMMARY
• Distance reduced from 321km (via Tarago) to 270km (via Yass)
• Initial operation at 160 km/h with familiar diesel traction
• Transit times reduced from current 4 h 6m to 2 h 36m
• Transit times further reduced to 2h 0m with upgraded diesel
operation to 200 km/h
• Eventual electric HSR travel time ~85m-90m
• Gains for other regional passenger trains of 70m-75m
20. NORTH CANBERRA TO GOULBURN
• New line from new North Canberra station to junction with
Main South near Gunning
• Realigned route from ‘Gunning’ to Breadalbane
• Selective realignment Breadalbane to Goulburn
• Distance reduction of 15km (105km → 90km)
• Transit time reduced from 90 min → 42 min (save 48 min)
21. GOULBURN TO MOSS VALE
• Curve easing and selective realignment over much of route
• Significant realignment between Marulan - Exeter
• Distance reduction 9km (79km → 70km)
• Time reduced from 53 min → 37 min (save 16 min)
23. MOSS VALE TO CAMPBELLTOWN
• New route Mittagong to Menangle (‘Wentworth’ route)
• Selective realignment of remainder
• Distance reduction 27km (91km → 64km)
• Time reduced from 68 min → 42 min (save 26 min)
24. CAMPBELLTOWN TO SYDNEY
• Route via East Hills – mostly similar alignment to now
• Improvement to junctions at Erskineville, Sydenham, Wolli Ck.
• Curve speed improvement where achievable
• Additional facilities to allow better pathing.
• Distance remains 46 km
• Time consistently 30-35 mins (now variable to 45 mins)
25. COST FOR MSR STANDARD RAILWAY
• A cost of approximately $3.5 billion has been estimated for the
200km/h standard diesel operated MSR railway.
• For full HSR, curves would be flattened to 7000m, towns by-
passed, Sydney entry improved, plus electrification and trains.
• The 2013 HSR Report suggests $18 billion for the full HSR over
the Sydney – Canberra section including a brave amount of
tunneling.
26. OVERVIEW OF MSR CONCEPT
• MSR on or close to future HSR route is possible between
Sydney and Canberra – at travel times half those at present
• Synergy with trains to Melbourne and Southern and Western
NSW – a parallel with French TGV or German ICE running on
classic rail routes beyond HSR tracks.
• Initial diesel operation allows seamless interoperability with
remainder of network.
27. OVERVIEW OF MSR CONCEPT (continued)
• Keeps regional passenger rail visible & viable pending go-ahead
for HSR (alternative is demise of existing routes and services)
• Provides design and construct experience with value for HSR
project when it goes ahead.
• Allows testing of “how can we achieve the best affordable
result” rather than the “how much will it cost” of 2013 Report.
28. CONCLUSIONS
• There is potential for MSR as the ‘leading edge’ of a full HSR
project over appropriate line sections.
• Canberra to Sydney is an obvious choice – large populations
with high mobility and mature transport options apart from the
archaic rail link.
• If Sydney-Canberra MSR works, there are other regional links
which would benefit; e.g. Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba,
Albury/Wagga Wagga, Newcastle, Wollongong.