High-Speed Rail in Poland: Advances and Perspectives

High-speed rail has been recently a dynamically expanding sector of public transport. The Polish transport system is becoming less and less efficient. In addition to low quality roads, including roads connecting major cities or metropolises, the issue of urban congestion and increasing number of accidents is ever more pronounced. Transport needs of the society are satisfied in a less and less satisfactory manner, which is also more costly and has more environmental impact. In August 2008 the Ministry of Infrastructure published the Program for establishment and launching of HSR transport system in Poland. Major purpose of the Program for establishment and launching of HSR transport system in Poland is the establishment and launching of High-Speed Railway operations in Poland which is connected with the rail network of European Union. The need for establishment of HSR network stems not only from the need to improve the market and economic standing of rail operators, but also to enhance cohesion of the country and competitiveness of regions in European perspective. Poland is too big a country to ensure fast connections solely by construction of motorways and expressways and upgrade of railway connections. Present railway network is generally a thing of 19th century, unevenly distributed throughout the country, and does not ensure direct rapid connections between major metropolitan areas. Construction of HSR line is an enormous investment project, requiring mobilization of Poland?s engineering, economic and operational circles in many areas. Having analyzed the existing condition of Polish railways it is obvious that Poland needs overall restructuring of rail network, patterned after countries of Western Europe. This should be done by upgrading and restructuring current railway lines, but most of all by creating the High Speed Rail - agreeing with transport and environmental policies and plans imposed by EU bodies, but also having positive impact on economic development of Poland.

• | Author: Andrzej Zurkowski
• | Publisher: CRC Press
• | Publication Date: Jul 24, 2018
• | Number of Pages: 522 pages
• | Language: English
• | Binding: Hardcover
• | ISBN-10: 1138544698
• | ISBN-13: 9781138544697