Somehow I always assumed that trains are the most sustainable way to get from A to B. But are they really? In a recent lunch speech at Exeter University (which is available online, see below), David Banister, sustainable transport expert from Oxford University's School of Geography and the Environment, offers a more detailed view on the rail system's renaissance and its promise for sustainability. His main arguments are that we should not create more travel through increasing rail services but instead improve the existing ones and make them more attractive so that more people change from the car or airplane to the train. But how?

The environmental sustainability of trains is a controversial issue. After all, in 2006 40% of trains used Diesel, 60% electric and 34% coal engines, as David explains. Even Eurostar, which claims to run on zero carbon terms, isn't necessarily as green as it pretends to be as long as its power comes from French nuclear stations. However, if one wants to compare the environmental sustainability (particularly CO2 emissions) of different transport means (car, train, air), occupancy is the magic word. And high occupancy means that i.e. the often criticized low cost airlines can have a better environmental performance than cars or trains, simply because their price system aims for maximum occupancy.

But CO2 emissions aren't the only factor to keep in mind when searching for the most sustainable travel system. Time is crucial, too, and so is accessibility. After all, people can park their car right outside their house but have to walk to the train station. Additionally, rail is often only a part of the journey, followed by bus, car (cab), or walking. And then, railway stations: what is their function? Are they only a node in the network, where people get to and leave from as fast as possible? Or should they rather provide a place in the economic landscape, making the area around them more attractive and inviting to hang out? David, the transport expert from Oxford, certainly thinks so.

And what do politicians think? The faster the better. High speed rail development receives strong commitment in the UK and most larger European countries. With measurable results, as high speed trains already make up one quarter of rail traffic in Europe. In France, almost 60 per cent of rail travel is high speed (thanks to a well connected TGV route network), followed by 40 per cent in Spain (which is at this time heavily investing in extending its network) and 28 per cent in Germany (2008 figures). It is this heavy investment in high speed rail that marks the renaissance of trains as comparatively sustainable mode of transport. Or isn't it? Paradoxically, the number of flights between Paris and London has not decreased, despite Eurostar owning 70 per cent of the market share on this route. That might be because flying is still faster or because the competitive prices Eurostar offers enable people to travel large distance who couldn't have done that before. Hardly surprising, thus, train operators perceive low cost airlines as fierce competitors.

For a sustainable transport future, the Oxford professor urges for rail-air cooperations, as air travel and high speed networks can be perfectly complementary businesses (in fact, this cooperation already exists in Germany where the Deutsche Bahn offers special tickets to and from airports). He also advocates a different perception of travel time. No boredom, waste of time feelings, but attempts to make rail travel more productive. This is an issue just as important as train reliability and travel time, he argues.

Will faster trains make rail more sustainable? Perhaps not. Will more comfortable trains do so? More likely. And what about more able services? Certainly so. But: large distance railway services are mainly used by high income people. Is it thus really the best to invest there? Or better improve periphery services? This game of back and forth questioning could go on forever. Sustainability remains a tricky issue. Rail is not good, only better for the environment compared to car and flying. Highy occupancy (load factor) is key, so is active engagement of the public and policy makers in the issue. What do you think?

Find out more about

- Professor Banister
- his transport sustainability research unit at Oxford University

Or access his presentation online @ greatwesternresearch

Additionally, if you speak french, this programme about transport emissions and solutions might be of interest (including an interview with David Banister).

Florian is an independent journalist for sustainability, climate change, corporate responsibility and tourism

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Picture credit: kevindooley