Uncovering the real potential for air-rail substitution: An exploratory analysis

Abstract

While air to rail substitution is much discussed, in the literature and in the policy debate, there has still been no attempt to quantify the potential for such mode substitution in order to examine the extent to which High Speed Train (HST) might address the main problems faced by the air transport industry: the capacity shortage on the one hand and the environmental problem on the other. This chapter aims to fill this gap and to examine the worldwide potential for mode substitution based on the current air transport network and the supply of air transport services. The potential for reduction in CO2 emissions as a result of mode substitution is also examined.