Greenhouse gas reductions from track upgrading

The paper outlines the growth of rail freight over the last twenty five years and its increasing energy efficiency. Although the iron ore railways in Western Australia are the most energy efficient in the world, other Australian rail freight operations lag United States Class I railroad performance. A potential saving of 672 500 tonnes of carbon dioxide, per annum, by 2015, if Australia's interstate rail track alignment is upgraded is noted. Such rail track upgrading, and an improvement in road pricing for heavy trucks, are clear 'no regrets' measures to reduce greenhouse gases. Planning, including land reservation where need be for such work, and long term capital programs are needed by both rail systems and Government.