Abstract: The author argues that a high-speed railway line is not the answer to the UK's transport problems. He suggests that our attitude to speed will be changed by the environmental debate and that the signs of travel slowing down are already apparent. The cost of speed is discussed in relation to the laws of physics. A table is given of the steady state speed and energy relationships of a range of speeds compared with 200 km/h. Capacity is a key issue and improvements can be made by removing freight off intercity routes. Modern vehicle design has improved safety, but the risks of high casualty rates are increased in high-speed rail accidents. The reasons why other countries are investing in high-speed rail are discussed in relation to green energy supplies, energy use in transport planning, and distances. The author presents an alternative scenario for rail travel in the UK.
Publication Year: 2006
Publication Date: 2006-12-01
Language: en
Type: article
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