Title: Moving towards sustainable intercity transport: a case study of high-speed rail in Australia

Authors: Michael B. Charles; Neal Ryan; Robbert A. Kivits

Addresses: School of Commerce and Management, Faculty of Business and Law, Locked Mail Bag 4, Coolangatta, QLD 4225, Australia. ' Southern Cross University, P.O. Box 157, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia. ' School of Commerce and Management, Faculty of Business and Law, Coolangatta, QLD 4225, Australia

Abstract: High-speed rail (HSR) is becoming commonplace throughout the world. Previous attempts to develop HSR in Australia have been unsuccessful. This article applies scenario-based planning to the introduction of HSR so as to achieve more sustainable intercity mobility along Australia|s eastern seaboard. The article identifies regime players and transition drivers to develop a framework depicting possible futures and determine the means by which the transition arena should be managed. It also makes the case for a more |purposive transition|, whereby an optimal pathway is defined and followed, in some instances. The futures developed in the research show what is likely to occur if other pathways are chosen, and suggest how the transition should be governed, from determining which stakeholders| views should be given the most salience, to avoiding a compromised solution that benefits no one.

Keywords: Australia; transition management; transition pathway; purposive transitions; scenario-based planning; sustainable intercity mobility; high speed rail; HSR; railways; sustainability; sustainable development.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSD.2012.044038

International Journal of Sustainable Development, 2012 Vol.15 No.1/2, pp.125 - 147

Published online: 30 Aug 2014 *

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