The Australasian Railway Association (ARA), Freight on Rail Group (FORG) and Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts have joined forces to deliver a landmark research project that identifies the barriers and provides solutions to increasing rail’s mode share of freight.
The project seeks to makes significant recommendations on how industry and government can work together to support a stronger rail freight network and harness the significant benefits rail freight has to offer for the economy and community.
The Summary Report outlines the key findings and recommendations of the research project Rail Freight Productivity Review: Establishing an Efficient Freight Transport Network.
Research to inform the project was led by the Australasian Centre for Rail Innovation. It includes three workstreams of research developed by Synergies Economic Consulting on the key issues impacting rail freight in Australia:
In addition, we have identified key policy changes that are required to secure a bright freight future.
Rail must be at the heart of our freight future
Achieving mode shift
Freight modes are chosen by customers based on a range of factors. Many of these factors can be influenced by government policy settings affecting the freight sector.
Infrastructure and planning
The rail freight sector has been impacted by persistent capacity constraints on the east-west corridor, while increased extreme weather events such as flooding have contributed to extended delays of rail freight services. New infrastructure and upgrades are needed to address these issues and improve rail freight outcomes.
Safety and operations
The number of independently managed rail networks in Australia has significantly increased, with differences between networks and jurisdictions making it harder to operate rail freight services efficiently.
Policy
Current policies relating to fatigue management and the prioritisation of passenger services can limit the rail industry’s efficiency. Read policy brief.