A new Curtin University of Technology report calls for a $315 million light rail system to be built in Perth.<\/p>\n
The Knowledge Arc Light Rail would link Canning Bridge, Curtin\u2019s Bentley Campus, Technology Park, Victoria Park, Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre, the new Princess Margaret Hospital and the University of Western Australia.<\/p>\n
The plans are part of Professor Peter Newman\u2019s latest report, \u2018The Knowledge Arc Light Rail: The next phase in Perth\u2019s public transport\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cPerth needs a new type of public transport to help it adapt to its growth pressures and light rail can be fitted into the present road structure and provide a fast, clean high capacity system,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe proposed route links together the main knowledge centres like pearls along a string, enabling them all to grow substantially without the need for so much parking.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe new PMH site is planning to have Perth\u2019s biggest car park costing $180 million \u2014 this is a waste of money and land.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe $315 million suggested cost for the light rail could be paid for from parking savings and land development opportunities created.<\/p>\n
\u201cLight rail is being adopted by many car-oriented cities in the US as a way to help rebuild their cities with less car dependence and more genuine centres. Light rail is the catalyst for building little cities along its route.<\/p>\n
\u201cInfrastructure Australia is funding light rail systems in Adelaide and the Gold Coast through a combination of funding sources and with a strong emphasis on land development opportunities.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis should be adopted in Perth as the way to make our next stage in public transport happen.\u201d<\/p>\n
Professor Newman said the advantages of developing a new light rail system outweighed an improved bus system.<\/p>\n
\u201cA larger number of passengers can be carried with fewer vehicles and staff, and the congestion threshold is significantly higher,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cCommercial speed and timetable reliability are generally higher with rail systems and rail networks are more easily understood than bus systems. These are only some of many advantages.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile buses are clearly capable of offering high quality public transport services, the choice of rail on routes with the potential for high patronage offers additional synergies.\u201d<\/p>\n
This report was produced as part of the Parsons Brinckerhoff – Curtin University Sustainability Policy (CUSP) Alliance.<\/p>\n