Page 389 - 360.revista de Alta Velocidad - Nº 6

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número 6 - junio - 2018. Pág 387 - 403

Sustainability of HSR as a mass transportation mode in terms of

efficient use of natural resources

Watson, Inara

Amer, Ali

Bayyati, Ali

School of the Built Environment and Architecture, London South Bank University, 1

Abstract
The global economic system depends on the sustainable use of natural resources some
of which are renewable whilst the others are finite and non-renewable. There has been
an increasing need to reduce the use of non-renewable resources particularly within the
transportation sector, which is the major consumer of fossil fuels and thus responsible for
most of the carbon dioxide emissions and pollution worldwide. High-Speed Rail (HSR) can
provide a more sustainable and efficient use of energy and land whilst reducing emissions
and pollution compared with road transport and other modes of transport.
The reported research takes the form of an investigation and critical evaluation of key
existing factors that influence the sustainability of HSR in terms of the efficient use of natural
resources. From the evidence that has been gathered from different resources and related
critical evaluation, conclusions can be made to show that the development of HSR systems will
improve the sustainability of transport in general and reduces the amount of non-renewable
natural resources used by the transport industry. The secondary data methodology has been
used in this research supported by empirical evidences. Most of the data was gathered from
the internet including in depth research of HSR in selected countries, available railway
statistics and relevant European and Institutional publications.
The main findings are that in many cases, HSR can bring a benefit for society by
contributing to the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions produced by the transport
industry, reduces the consumption of raw materials, and increases the use of sustainable
energy. The expected outcomes of this research will contribute to the development and
advances of more sustainable HSR systems that can meet the growing demand for travel
due to the continuing growth of the world population and the increasing activities related
to business, leisure, and social needs.
Keywords: High speed rail, sustainability, natural resources.

1 Inara, Watson. Email: watsoni2@lsbu.ac.uk
Amer, Ali. Email: alia76@lsbu.ac.uk
Bayyati, Ali. Email: bayyatia@lsbu.ac.uk

International Congress on High-speed Rail: Technologies and Long Term Impacts - Ciudad Real (Spain) - 25th anniversary Madrid-Sevilla corridor 387