Superior mobility achieved through an alternative to heavy rail – Melbourne south-east case study

Abstract

Public Transport Victoria’s 2012 Network Development Plan (‘NDP’) proposes comprehensive expansion of Melbourne’s heavy rail infrastructure that relies on expensive investment in central Melbourne to meet capacity growth requirements. This infrastructure, it is argued, is required before transit deficits can be addressed in the Rowville corridor and elsewhere. The potential mobility achieved through this proposal is reported through a ‘sketch modelling’ exercise. An alternative strategy is also presented to expand access to, and mobility resulting from, rail-based rapid transit in suburban Melbourne. The alternative strategy, based on best-practice international transit planning principles, ..