This is the fourth Report by the BTE on capital investment in urban public transport. It differs from previous Reports produced in that it presents an estimate of economically warranted investment for the period 1977–78 to 1979–80 rather than an evaluation of a specific program of projects put forward by State Authorities.

• Assessment of Investment in Urban Public Transport 1977–78 to 1979–80
  
  report_018.pdf
  (2.52 MB)

The majority of Australia's intercapital railway lines are single track and these all experience some degree of congestion. Various combinations of capital investment and improved operating practices are evaluated in this report, with a view to eliminating the growing congestion on the Melbourne Sydney rail link.

• Mainline Upgrading: Evaluation of a Range of Options for the Melbourne to Sydney Rail Link
  
  report_020.pdf
  (6.25 MB)

The majority of Australia's intercapital railway lines are single track and these all experience some degree of congestion. Various combinations of capital investment and improved operating practices are evaluated in this report, with a view to eliminating the growing congestion on the Victorian portion of the Melbourne to Adelaide rail link.

• Mainline Upgrading: Evaluation of a Range of Options for the Melbourne to Serviceton Rail Link
  
  report_021.pdf
  (7.73 MB)

"The operations of a railway system can often be enhanced by the introduction of improved technology. Clearly the benefits of the new technology should more than compensate for its costs.

The introduction of the 2CM freight bogie would enhance the operations of the Australian railways, however the question of the value of the benefits in relation to the additional costs has been a vexed one. This report has been prepared with the object of clarifying the economic merits of the 2CM bogie."

• The 2CM Freight Wagon Bogie–an Appraisal
  
  report_023.pdf
  (3.47 MB)

Government railways in Australia operate in all mainland States and Territories. Interstate movement of freight over the rail network is a potentially important method of transportation within the nation. However, intersystem railway arrangements operate against a background of State railways providing predominantly intrastate freight services. This report presents the results of a study of intersystem railway freight rating practices as they apply to a particular area of New South Wales.

• Study of Intersystem Railway Freight Rating Practices
  
  report_025.pdf
  (9.57 MB)

Because of separate development by the individual States, the Australian railway network contains links of a number of different gauges.

For this reason bogie exchange facilities have been established at several locations including two in South Australia, at Port Pirie and Peterborough, where the State broad gauge system meets the interstate standard gauge system.

The intention of these exchanges is to allow ready transfer of loaded and unloaded freight wagons from one system to the other. Traffic through the exchange at Port Pirie has increased to the extent that difficulties are being experienced in handling it.

• Study of Port Pirie Bogie Exchange
  
  report_026.pdf
  (3.77 MB)

This is the fourth report prepared by the BTE on capital investment needs of transport in urban areas. It differs in a number of important respects from the earlier reports in that it deals with investment needs for roads as well as for public transport; it analyses the demand for and supply of urban transport as a whole rather than simply presenting the results of evaluations of specific capital investment proposals; and the report includes some consideration of urban areas outside the State capital cities.

• Urban Transport: Capital Requirements 1977–78 to 1979–80
  
  report_027.pdf
  (9.75 MB)

This study is one of a series concerned with the evaluation of upgrading options for inter-capital rail links in Australia.

Analysis indicated that the Sydney to Brisbane line is already exhibiting signs of congestion and, given the expected traffic growth, will become seriously congested in the mid-1980s unless upgrading action is taken. The range of upgrading options considered include grade easement, centralised traffic control and crossing loop extensions.

• Mainline Upgrading–Evaluation of a Range of Options for the Sydney–Brisbane Rail Link
  
  report_029.pdf
  (2.18 MB)

In this Report a number of options for the railway line between Adelaide and Serviceton have been evaluated. This work complements that previously undertaken on the Melbourne to Serviceton link.

There appears to be little likelihood of congestion on this link sufficient to justify major upgrading within the next twenty years although some minor loop extensions and the introduction of Centralised Traffic Control are justified now. There is no economic justification for any of the Project Peregrine schemes considered for the Adelaide Hills sections.

• Mainline Upgrading–Evaluation of a Range of Options for the Adelaide to Serviceton Rail Link
  
  report_030.pdf
  (2.18 MB)

The Government rail systems in Australia provide a number of intersystem rail passenger services which cater for intra and interstate travellers. These services are potentially important sources of income for the rail systems concerned.

This Report presents the results of a study of the profitability of the East-West rail passenger services specifically covering the Indian Pacific and Trans Australian trains.

• Study of East–West Rail Passenger Services: The 'Indian Pacific' and 'Trans Australian'
  
  report_031.pdf
  (4.89 MB)