The Environmental Case for the High-Speed Train in the UK: Examining the London–Manchester Route

ABSTRACT This article investigates the potential for environmental benefit from the introduction of the High Speed Train (HST) on the London–Manchester route in the UK, focusing on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The lifecycle carbon emission of HST is assessed, and its sensitivity to demand changes is analyzed for several scenarios. Based on the UK Government demand assumptions, the analysis shows relatively limited potential for reduction in CO2 emissions. In 2033, overall CO2 reduction due to HST operation on the route is estimated at 100,000 tCO2 per annum, which is less than 0.1% of the total UK domestic transport emissions in 2007.

[1]  A. Horvath,et al.  Environmental assessment of passenger transportation should include infrastructure and supply chains , 2009 .

[2]  Franklin Farell.  Roadmap to a Single European Transport Area: Towards a competitive and resource efficient transport system , 2014 .

[3]  Brian F. Havel,et al.  International Air Transport Association , 2010 .

[4]  Moshe Givoni,et al.  Development and Impact of the Modern High‐speed Train: A Review , 2006 .

[5]  Jonas Åkerman,et al.  Sustainable air transport--on track in 2050 , 2005 .

[6]  Reinhard Clever,et al.  Interaction of Air and High-Speed Rail in Japan , 2008 .

[7]  Javier Campos,et al.  A review of HSR experiences around the world , 2007 .

[8]  Jean-Pierre Widmer.  High-speed rail , 2002 .

[9]  A. Horvath,et al.  Life-cycle assessment of high-speed rail: the case of California , 2010 .

[10]  Hirokazu Kato,et al.  An Application of Life Cycle Assessment to Public Transport Projects: A Case of Superconducting MAGLEV System , 2006 .

[11]  Chris Nash,et al.  High-Speed Rail & Air Transport Competition: Game Engineering as Tool for Cost-Benefit Analysis , 2008 .

[12]  Henning Schwarz,et al.  Ecology profile of the german high-speed rail passenger transport system, ICE , 2003 .

[13]  Chikage Miyoshi,et al.  The carbon emissions of selected airlines and aircraft types in three geographic markets , 2009 .

[14]  Moshe Givoni,et al.  Environmental Benefits from Mode Substitution: Comparison of the Environmental Impact from Aircraft and High-Speed Train Operations , 2007 .

[15]  Arpad Horvath,et al.  Environmental Assessment of Freight Transportation in the U.S. (11 pp) , 2006 .

[16]  Christian Brand,et al.  Are railways 'climate friendly?' , 2009 .

[17]  Andrew Kosinski,et al.  Analysis of High-Speed Rail’s Potential to Reduce CO2 Emissions from Transportation in the United States , 2011 .

[18]  G. Marsden,et al.  How important are environmental factors in the case for high speed rail? A comparison of the United Kingdom and Spain , 2010 .

[19]  Alan De Burton.  Delivering a sustainable railway , 2007 .

[20]  Chris Nash,et al.  High-Speed Rail & Air Transport Competition , 2008 .

[21]  Ari Rabl,et al.  Estimates of real damage from air pollution: Site dependence and simple impact indices for LCA , 1999 .