Liang, X-H, Tan, K-H, Whiteing, A orcid.org/0000-0003-3480-1255 et al. (2 more authors) (2016) Parcels and Mail by High Speed Rail - A Comparative Analysis of Germany, France and China. Journal of Rail Transport Planning & Management, 6 (2). pp. 77-88. ISSN 2210-9706
Abstract
As rail freight reform develops further, parcels transport by the high speed rail network is expanding in China. We explore the optimal operational method through case studies. Both France and Germany have operated parcels trains on their high speed networks, at a speed of 270 km/h and 160 km/h respectively; following the literature we consider both as high speed freight trains. The business model, transportation organization and performance are compared between Germany, France and China. The findings of our analysis suggest dedicated high speed freight trains are better than mixed trains at exploiting advantages of high speed railways and achieving economies of scale. However, the sensitivity analysis tells us the dedicated high speed freight train in China will require at least 5% mode share on the busiest routes like Beijing-Shanghai and Guangzhou-Shanghai and over 30% on less busy routes like Chengdu-Changsha. From German and French experience, volume guarantees seem crucial for the operation of high speed freight trains. Competitive price is also important to attract enough volume. The construction of a limited high speed rail freight network on key routes will permit exploitation of economies of scale. Also night trains are a better choice for parcels and mail delivery companies.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. This is an author produced version of a paper published in Journal of Rail Transport Planning & Management. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | Parcels; Mail; High Speed Rail; Business Model; Transportation Organization; Sensitivity Analysis |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Environment (Leeds) > Institute for Transport Studies (Leeds) > ITS: Economics and Discrete Choice (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 29 Apr 2016 08:51 |
Last Modified: | 30 Jun 2017 19:59 |
Published Version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jrtpm.2016.04.003 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Elsevier |
Identification Number: | 10.1016/j.jrtpm.2016.04.003 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:99143 |