This Report is the last of a series on railway mainline upgrading options and covers the evaluation of options for upgrading the standard gauge link between Kalgoorlie and Perth.

The evaluation of upgrading options differs in this case from those previously reported, in that no capacity constraints are envisaged, but severe and continuing track deterioration has occurred between Koolyanobbing and Kwinana as a result of heavy axle loads in the iron ore and wheat trades. Thus the upgrading requirements in this case are concerned with the use of heavy rail and high standard track rather than the capacity to run more trains.

• Mainline Upgrading–Evaluation of a Range of Options for the Kalgoorlie–Perth Rail Link
  
  report_039.pdf
  (3.33 MB)

This paper describes a method of measuring price changes at the national level in the road and bridge construction and maintenance industry. The paper gives the results of application of such methodology to measure the price changes for roadworks from 1963–64 to 1977–78 in the form of a price index. This index is a refinement and update of the price index developed by the author for the former Commonwealth Bureau of Roads.

• A Road Construction Price Index
  
  op_027.pdf
  (1.57 MB)

This Paper presents a summary of preliminary statistics obtained from the third quarter of the National Travel Survey (NTS). The results cover travel during the months of January, February and March 1978. Each summary comprises the following general types of information: a summary of the survey sample and response statistics; trip generation information; information on the proportion of travel having particular characteristics. The results presented in this Paper are for aggregations of NTS regions to State, Territory and national levels.

• National Travel Survey 1977/78: Preliminary Statistical Summary: March Quarter
  
  op_028.pdf
  (14.97 MB)

During 1976 and 1977 the Victorian Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation and the Geelong Regional Planning Authority undertook a major study of recreational activity in the Geelong area. As part of that study, John Paterson Urban Systems was commissioned to undertake an extensive household survey and to develop a set of recreation site usage models for locations in the Geelong region. These data, together with information on environmental usage limits for each site in the region were used in the development of recreational area management programmes.

• Recreation Demand Modelling
  
  op_029.pdf
  (5.33 MB)

Urban air quality management is concerned with comparing two kinds of costs: those arising out of increased levels of air pollution and those involved in implementing an abatement program. This report is concerned with these latter costs insofar as it investigates the relationship between regulatory instruments (ADR27A for example) and their practical effects on emission generation by Australian cars.

• Vehicle Driving Patterns and Measurement Methods for Energy and Emissions Assessment
  
  op_030.pdf
  (5.27 MB)

This Paper presents a summary of preliminary statistics obtained from the fourth quarter of the National Travel Survey (NTS). The results cover travel during the months of April, May and June 1978. These statistics are preliminary in the sense that they represent the results of an analysis of only the postal survey results. No corrections for sample bias and so on have been made at this stage. The results from a supplementary household interview survey conducted in parallel with the NTS will be used to adjust the postal survey results. This adjustment will take place at the conclusion of the twelve-month NTS survey period.

• National Travel Survey 1977–78: Preliminary Statistical Summary June Quarter
  
  op_031.pdf
  (14.09 MB)

In this Report, four parallel investigations were undertaken: road user effects; construction costs and engineering considerations; environmental impact; and social impact.

In examining possible route locations in each corridor the four investigations were progressively carried out in more detail as alternatives were eliminated, until the best alternative became apparent. At this stage road user effects were quantified and a benefit-cost ratio was used to assess the economic warrant for construction of the preferred alternative.

The investigations identified various aspects requiring further and more detailed study during selection of the precise location and the design and the construction stages.

• National Highways Linking Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra Third Report: Canberra Connections, 1979
  
  report_040.pdf
  (3.59 MB)

The uncompleted Sandy Hollow-Maryvale railway in New South Wales has a somewhat chequered history. It was finally begun in 1936 after inquiries stretching back to 1911. Construction was slowed to almost a standstill by World War II, accelerated in the early post war years and then abandoned in 1951 due to a shortage of capital.

Subsequent moves to complete the railway foundered in the face of unfavourable economic assessment.

This report presents the results of an economic benefit-cost analysis of a recent proposal for the completion of the railway against the background of the discovery of massive proven coal reserves along the line.

• Sandy Hollow–Maryvale Railway: Economic Evaluation of Proposed Completion
  
  report_043.pdf
  (4.51 MB)

This Report investigates the structure, market conduct and performance of the domestic long distance freight industry with particular emphasis on the long distance road transport sector and the intermodal competition it faces.

All sectors of the industry appear to be highly competitive. Not only is there competition within the industry, but rail has the potential to capture a significant amount of the long distance freight market from road. The terms of reference as given by the Minister are contained in Appendix 1 of this Report.

• The Long Distance Road Haulage Industry
  
  report_041.pdf
  (6.36 MB)

The scope of the report is broad in as much as it attempts to develop a comprehensive, explicit and detailed analysis of both historical and future road investment for the whole of Australia. The report does not make specific total funding recommendations, nor does it attempt to suggest what should be the future levels of Commonwealth, State and Local Government funding of roads expenditure.

It focuses considerable attention on past patterns of road expenditure and on the economic merit of those expenditures. The sensitivity of the results of the economic analysis to different levels of overall road funding is examined. This examination is particularly directed to assessments of efficient allocations of resources between road categories and States.

Volume 2 is a verbatim publication of comments provided to the BTE for its Report to assist the Commonwealth government in its consideration of grants of financial assistance to the States for roads.

• An Assessment of the Australian Road System Volume 1
  
  report_042_v1.pdf
  (17.52 MB)

• An Assessment of the Australian Road System Volume 2
  
  report_042_v2.pdf
  (19.43 MB)