All over the world there are high speed rail networks and other mass transit options either already operating or being built. However, there is very little in Australia. Lance Turner takes a quick look at what’s being done elsewhere.
Australia is the land of the car. Most people believe that a car is a necessity due to the size of the country. Unfortunately this is true in most areas, due to the lack of foresight and willingness of our various state and federal goverments to build advanced public transport systems.
If you look at what’s happening in other parts of that world, you can’t help but be jealous of some of the amazing high speed rail networks operating both inside countries and between co-operating countries.
High speed rail has many advantages over other forms of long-distance mass transit. Emissions per passenger are much lower than flying or driving and with train speeds approaching those of airliners, transit times are similar to flying. Of course, driving can’t even come close to these sorts of speeds. Cars burn fossil fuels while most high speed trains are electrically powered, often at least partially from renewable sources such as hydro power.
In this article we will take a look at what’s being done around the world to provide viable options for long distance travel. We will also take a look at air travel and what the future might hold in terms of greater efficiency and reduced emissions.
Read the full article in ReNew 108.This entry was posted on Friday, June 11th, 2010 at 3:33 pm