Eurostar operates VFT services between the UK and the continent.
Identifying the viability of introducing Very Fast Train (VFT) technology to Australia is the main objective of the latest project approved by the CRC for Rail Innovation.
The project responds to the recent increase in interest surrounding the introduction of VFT technology to the Australian rail landscape.
“Changes in factors such as environmental and transport policy, airport capacity issues, price of fossil fuels and transport demand make the opportunity for a VFT more attractive than ever before, particularly as an alternative to carbon-intensive air transport.” said David George, CEO of the CRC for Rail Innovation.
“Recently, Minister Albanese stated that long-term forecasts show that Sydney will require new airport capacity, but preliminary studies point out that the introduction of a VFT would be a more economic and environmentally-friendly alternative to increasing the number of domestic flights and the required infrastructure.”
This project is notably important for Australia, considering that high-speed rail is listed as a project for further analysis in Infrastructure Australia’s report to the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) in December 2008.
“The research study aims to provide an informed opinion on the VFT concept, which if viable could take the form of a VFT line between Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney and Brisbane or some sections of it.” continued Mr George.
According to data from the International Union of Railways, there are 1,737 high-speed train sets in operation in the world, with Europe leading the way and followed by Japan and China.
“Our VFT research study seeks to establish and review the technical, contextual and institutional requirements required for the introduction of a VFT,” concluded Mr George.
It is expected that the final report will be released in December 2009
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