High-speed rail's potential for the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions from short haul aviation: a longitudinal study of modal substitution from an energy generation and renewable energy perspective

This paper quantifies and evaluates, utilizing a "bottom-up" approach, the effect on CO2 emissions of a modal shift from short-haul air travel to high-speed rail (HSR), based on projected passenger movements, between Sydney and Melbourne, Australia during the period 2010-2030. To date, peer-reviewed studies assessing the CO2 emissions from these competing modes of high-speed transportation have been restricted principally to a cross-sectional assessment, with a Eurocentric bias. This present comparative study seeks to address a gap in the literature by assessing, longitudinally, the CO2 emissions associated with the proposed operation of HSR against the "business-as-usual" air scenario between Sydney and Melbourne. Under the assumed 50/50 modal shift, and the Australian government's current renewable electricity target, an annual reduction in CO2 emissions of approximately 14% could be achieved when compared with a "business-as-usual" air scenario. This percentage reduction represents a 62 kt reduction in base year, 2010, and a 114 kt reduction in the final year, 2030. In total, the overall reduction achieved by such a modal shift, under the assumed conditions, during the period 2010-2030, equates to approximately 1.87 Mt of CO2. Importantly, if the electrical energy supply for HSR operations was further "decarbonized", then it follows that a greater emission reduction would be achieved.

• Record URL:
  https://doi.org/10.1080/03081060.2013.818271
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/1767712
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract reprinted with permission from Taylor & Francis
• Authors:
  • Robertson, Simon
• Publication Date: 2013-7

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 395-412
• Serial:
  • Transportation Planning and Technology
  • Volume: 36
  • Issue Number: 5
  • Publisher: Taylor & Francis
  • ISSN: 0308-1060
  • Serial URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/gtpt20/current

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air travel; Carbon dioxide; High speed rail; Modal shift; Pollutants; Renewable energy sources; Short haul
• Geographic Terms: Melbourne (Australia); Sydney (Australia)
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Environment; Railroads; I15: Environment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01493250
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 20 2013 8:50AM