This paper sheds new light on the social and economic aspects which high speed rail (HSR) projects can generate, and which can materially increase their economic worth. A number of recent studies conclude that HSR is likely to have major implications for inter-city travel throughout Europe. However, impacts of HSR may go well beyond the boundaries of the transport sector itself. The European Commission recently commissioned a research study to investigate the socio-economic impacts of HSR throughout the Community. The study team was led by Halcrow Fox and included PA Cambridge Economics, Accent Marketing and Research and ITS, Leeds University. This paper summarises a number of the major findings of this study. findings of this study. Three aspects of the research are described: (1) an accessibility analysis of opportunities for social and economic activities; (2) an extensive survey of European business travellers' attitudes to HSR; and (3) an economic evaluation of additional, quality, benefits likely to accrue. The results reveal the importance to travellers of the quality attributes of HSR, including the opportunities for in-travel work and for day-return trips, where these were not previously possible. Evaluation of these benefits suggests that they may double the economic worth of HSR projects. The results also indicate those locations most likely to experience major socio-economic impacts. Finally, the paper identifies measures which are likely to maximise the socio-economic benefits from HSR projects. These should apparently be included in determining priorities for staging implementation of the European HSR network. (A)
Samenvatting