NSW Freight Policy Research Program: Modules 4-5
Research to support Transport for NSW (Transport) Freight Policy Reform Program.
These projects are being undertaken by the National Transport Research Organisation (NTRO) in partnership with the iMOVE CRC.
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Background
The NSW Government has a long-standing goal of increasing rail mode share for the Port Botany import and export rail terminal, and Transport is exploring possible improvements to the current policy settings to achieve this goal.
At present, the rail network faces cost and service quality deficiencies in comparison to the road network that challenge the goal of improving rail’s market share to secure public policy benefits.
Research projects
To support the Governments goals, the NTRO, through the iMOVE CRC will be undertaking two research projects:
Module 4: Indicators of financial sustainability for export-oriented intermodal terminals in regional NSW
Building on the last comprehensive study conducted in 2004, this research piece will update existing indicators of financial sustainability for intermodal ports. These indicators include terminal capacity, catchment size, container volumes and rail trip distance.
The purpose of Module 4 is to validate and update the existing evidence base. Outputs will be used to determine if policy options may be required to influence the optimal locations and scale of regional intermodal terminals for best achieving an appropriate level of modal shift to rail. This will also potentially inform heavy vehicle access planning.
Module 5: Impact of digital train control systems on the timing/need for a separated freight network in metropolitan Sydney
Conventional signalling systems remain a constraint to increasing train service frequency and capacity. Digital train control systems are a major change over conventional systems, offering capacity, safety and reliability advantages. For the Sydney Metropolitan Rail Network (MRN) the European Train Control System (ETCS) has been selected as the preferred digital train control technology for deployment. Digital train control systems are expected to create additional capacity on existing mixed-use networks, potentially allowing the operation of additional freight services. However, many factors would come into play into how additional capacity may be allocated between passenger and freight services.
The purpose of Module 5 is to improve the evidence base for understanding how the successful introduction of a digital train control system on the mixed-use Sydney MRN will affect freight capacity. A key consideration is the extent to which successful deployment of the technology may factor into considerations of the need and timing for a dedicated rail freight network in metropolitan Sydney.
Further updates will be provided as these project progress.
This research is being delivered in partnership with iMOVE CRC and supported by the Cooperative Research Centres program, an Australian Government initiative.