Spain is similar in size and density as south east Australia. We should use it as guide for the implementation of high speed rail.
Spain provides an interesting comparison with Australia in the context of high speed rail. Spain’s population density is similar to the southeast of Australia. Both countries are heavily urbanised, although Australia’s capital cities are larger and more dominant than Spain’s. Regional distances are similar to southeast Australia. Like Australia, Spain has an extensive motorway network, and the usual airport infrastructure found in modern countries. Both countries also have an existing conventional rail system which has suffered from lack of investment over many decades.
Unlike Australia, Spain has decided to proceed with high speed rail. Its first line, from Madrid to Seville, a distance of 471km, was opened in 1992. Spain has now built a network of over 3,000 km high speed rail lines, the second largest network in the world.
Spain has introduced a range of innovations to overcome many challenges familiar to Australia:
Tilt Trains were used to overcome the many speed restrictions on existing lines due to curvature.
Dual voltage trains use the international standard 25 kV AC 50 hertz as well as the Spanish broad-gauge standard of 3 KV DC supply.
Hybrid locomotives to extend high speed services to non-electrified tracks.
Gauge-changing trains to overcome the need to operate using different gauges.
Light-weight, low-floor high speed trains, have the highest energy efficiency of any such trains in the world.
Innovative engineering to overcome some of Spain’s topographical challenges, including some massive bridges and lengthy tunnels.
Progressive introduction of services, with sometimes only a few high speed services per day in each direction initially. Services are then ramped up to match demand.
Agreement for multiple train operators to use the same tracks. This allows competition based on services, but maximises utilisation of the fixed assets.
The Spanish experience suggests that high speed rail can work in Australia provided:
The concept is well-designed, adopting both local experience and international experience as relevant
Appropriate governance arrangements are in place. This will mean a single, national, government owner of the existing conventional and new high speed track and related infrastructure assets. This ensures the high speed rail is integrated with conventional lines, and also provides a clear interface for multiple operators of high speed trains
Appropriate use of the latest engineering techniques to minimise construction costs. This includes the latest tunnelling techniques, use of pre-cast viaducts where possible, concrete embedding of tracks to reduce maintenance, 25 kV AC supplied from green energy suppliers, in-cab signalling, high-quality maintenance and safety regimes, etc.
Preparedness to innovate to overcome the specific challenges faced in Spain. Collaboration with local industry has enabled solutions to be developed that manage and optimise its investment in high speed rail.
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