TrainLine 1 is a collaborative report between the Australasian Railway Association (ARA) and BITRE. It is a further development of the previous rail freight performance publications series. This report provides an overview of rail freight performance, railway infrastructure standards and freight haulage between 2007–08 and 2009–10. Further development of the range of information is envisaged.

The report is split into 3 sections that provide freight market, freight train and track indicators.

This Report assesses the relative efficiencies of road and rail in the transportation of several bulk commodities. The work explores potential constraints to the efficient transportation of bulk commodities, including the pricing systems applied by road and rail operators.

• Relative Efficiencies in the Transportation of Commodities
  
  report_076.pdf
  (3.99 MB)

This is a Report on the proposed terminal facility at Acacia Ridge. It is becoming increasingly apparent that terminal facilities are a key to the efficient operation of the Australian railway system. In many cases, however, the layout and structures do not permit modern. Methods to be employed effectively, so that serious delays occur. As the problems are so serious at Acacia Ridge, this report was compiled in 3 months.

• Development of a Rail Freight Terminal at Acacia Ridge
  
  report_012.pdf
  (4.66 MB)

Subsequent growth in Canberra, particularly in the post-war period, and projections suggesting continued rapid growth, prompted the Minister for Shipping and Transport in 1964 to request from the Commonwealth Railways Commissioner a report on the proposed rail link between Canberra and Yass.

That report stated that when the considerable savings are taken into account that would accrue to the various instrumentalities and people located in the Australian Capital Territory as the result of lower freight rates and passenger fares consequent upon the direct linking of Canberra with Yass, construction of the Canberra-Yass railway could be justified on economic grounds.

In April this year, the Minister for Shipping and Transport requested the Bureau of Transport Economics to carry out a detailed economic evaluation of the link.

• Economic Evaluation of a Canberra to Yass Rail Link
  
  report_001.pdf
  (4.95 MB)

This Report was prepared as the basis for the Standing Committee of Advisers report to the Australian Transport Advisory Council on urban public transport needs in this decade.

• Economic Evaluation of Capital Investment in Urban Public Transport
  
  report_003.pdf
  (8.91 MB)

The evaluations presented in this Report have been made to determine the least cost sleeper alternative for each of three railway projects. They are the proposed new railway line from Tarcoola to Alice Springs, the standard gauge connection from Adelaide to Crystal Brook, and the re-sleepering of the Trans-Australian Railway.

• Economic Evaluation of Timber and Concrete Sleepers for Three Railway Lines
  
  report_004.pdf
  (3 MB)

This Report presents the evaluations of alternative public transport improvements in the urban corridor between Perth and Fremantle. The alternatives considered are a continuation of existing services, electrification of the existing rail service, and replacement of the railway with a busway.

• Perth Fremantle Corridor Study
  
  report_005.pdf
  (800.43 KB)

This is the second Report by the BTE on capital investment in urban public transport, the previous Report having been produced in June 1972.

• Review of Public Transport Investment Proposals for Australian Capital Cities, 1973–74
  
  report_008.pdf
  (6.53 MB)

This Report presents the results of a consumer preference survey in urban rail carriage design. The survey was carried out by the BTE in Brisbane in May and June, 1973, with the cooperation of Queensland Railways.

• Consumer Preferences in Urban Rail Carriage Design: Results of a Survey Conducted in Brisbane During May and June, 1973
  
  report_010.pdf
  (4.39 MB)

The study examines the economics of a landbridge based on Fremantle, and also considers Adelaide and Melbourne as terminal ports for the European trades. In addition, the benefits and costs implied by a strategy of alternate calls at Sydney and Melbourne are considered.

• The Economics of an Australian Landbridge
  
  report_015.pdf
  (1.1 MB)