The transport sector plays a key role in the socio-economic development of countries. Currently, this sector faces challenges as one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases. Implementing new policies to reverse these emissions may face some social challenges, considering the need to rethink habits and mentalities. In the context of climate transition, will the sector be able to ensure that the mobility needs of people and goods on cross-border journeys in Portugal and Spain continue to be met? The future of the railroads in Portugal, as part of the European network, will be determined by the investments planned for the coming decades, especially in terms of reducing travel times and increasing connections. This study analyzes the viability of high-speed rail as the main mode of transport for medium-distance journeys, comparing air and rail bridges on an Iberian scale. The emissions balance demonstrates that the electric train is considerably less polluting than the airplane. The survey findings show that the main criteria for choosing a mode of transport are travel time and ticket cost. The train proves to be more advantageous than the plane for short journeys, but as the distance increases, the train becomes less advantageous than the plane. In conclusion, the high-speed rail is an alternative to air travel if the travel time and costs are lower or identical, although the connections analyzed show that there is currently no high-speed rail in Portugal and that the network is poorly connected to the rest of Europe.
Sustainable Mobility: The Contribution of Railways to Decarbonization
Lect.Notes Mobility
Transport Research Arena Conference ; 2024 ; Dublin, Ireland April 15, 2024 - April 18, 2024
Transport Transitions: Advancing Sustainable and Inclusive Mobility ; Kapitel : 53 ; 382-387
19.07.2025
6 pages
Aufsatz/Kapitel (Buch)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
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