Rail investment to bear freight fruit: BITRE

By Rob McKay

The expectation appears in the bureau's performance indicators report for 2007/08.
In that period, the extensive infrastructure work on the North-South corridor was still in its early stages, with scheduled intermodal transit times remaining above Australian Transport Council targets.
“As the infrastructure investments are completed during 2009/10, train timetables will be revised to incorporate the higher track quality that will reduce the number and duration of operational stops made to enable trains to pass each other,” the report said.
In 2007/08, the stopping time for intermodal trains was around 20% of the total scheduled transit time.
The stopping time was lower on the Sydney-Melbourne line segment, where there was a higher proportion of dual track.
The most intensive usage of the interstate network by intermodal trains was between Melbourne and Adelaide.
The number of intermodal trains rose on the East-West corridor but fell on the North-South corridor.
The ATC targets on double-stacking of containers had been achieved, with the completion of investment between Parkes and Crystal Brook that increased clearances.
The principal intermodal rail tonnages were on the East-West corridor, especially between Victoria and Western Australia.
The other strong freight flow on that corridor was between Melbourne and Adelaide, with international goods to or from South Australia being shifted over land through the port of Melbourne.
“The strength of rail’s performance on the East-West corridor is reflected in rail’s high share of intermodal traffic relative to road and coastal shipping, with 62% of the road/rail/coastal shipping traffic,” the report said.

Source: Lloyd’s List Daily Commercial News – www.lloydslistdcn.com.au