Deutsche Bahn (DB), in collaboration with European rail partners, conducted a study on expanding high-speed rail (HSR) in Europe.
Analysis of existing high-speed lines suggests that the planned and under-construction infrastructure may fall short of meeting European targets. To realise the goals of sustainable, smart, and resilient mobility, the EU has outlined key milestones, including doubling European high-speed rail traffic volume by 2030 and tripling it by 2050 compared to the base year 2015.
According to Deutsche Bahn’s estimation in May 2022, the existing high-speed rail infrastructure, both in place and planned for construction, may only achieve around 75 per cent of the necessary traffic growth by 2030. The study establishes that the planned or under-construction infrastructure may fall short of meeting the set targets, projecting a growth of only about 60 per cent of the envisaged doubling of high-speed rail traffic by 2030. The concentration on national lines and the lack of cross-border interconnectivity characterise European rail infrastructure, indicating unexploited potential for growth.
To effectively link EU metropolitan regions housing over 250 million citizens (approximately 60 percent of the EU population), the study advocates for a more extensive high-speed rail network. This network would cater to regions experiencing the highest transportation demand, facilitating a modal shift and establishing a unified transport quality standard across Europe. The results from the study underscore the profound impact that a significant expansion of HSR infrastructure and services, coupled with travel time reductions, would have on travel demand.
To achieve the necessary traffic growth by 2050, the realisation of the Metropolitan Network involves constructing new rail lines and expanding existing ones, covering approximately 21,000 additional kilometres.
Positioned as a crucial element in meeting growing national and international demand, the Metropolitan Network provides an economic foundation for operating high-frequency trains. The report notes that successful HSR infrastructure, exemplified by routes like Paris-Lyon or Rome-Bologna, currently sees the highest passenger volumes—a trend expected to persist with the implementation of the Metropolitan Network. High-demand HSR corridors include Thessaloniki-Athens, connections between France and Spain, and links between Vienna, Prague, and Berlin.
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