The environmental record of TGV technology is well proven in France and has successfully met environmental guidelines elsewhere in Europe where TGV systems have been adopted.
On the suburban track from Sydney Central to Campbelltown, TGV trains will be quieter than existing suburban rolling stock. As preferred proponent, Speedrail will be subject to an independent, government supervised Environmental Impact Assessment.
Energy conservation and emission reduction. The TGV is an energy efficient form of transport. Using half as much energy per passenger as cars and aircraft, the cleaner electric-powered TGV offers a corresponding reduction in CO2 emissions.
Noise reduction. The effect of noise on the community will be minimised by locating the high-speed route away from towns along the existing rail route to one as near as possible parallel to the Hume and Federal highways.
Wildlife preservation and track safety. The route of the high-speed train will be fenced and wildlife overpass and underpass crossing points will be provided. These are measures similar to those adopted for major freeways.
The safety record of TGV technology is well proven throughout Europe. Since they became operational in 1981, TGV trains have travelled more than 1,000 million kilometres and safely carried more than 500 million passengers. Every day, more than 400 TGVs cover a combined distance equal to that between the earth and the moon.
The Speedrail concept of an advanced high-speed railway system operating on a dedicated right-of-way track is inherently lower risk than a conventional rail operation that has mixed traffic and road/rail level crossings.
Speedrail's operational design is based on accident avoidance principles that have characterised the operation of new high-speed rail lines in Europe. It incorporates in-cab signalling, automatic train protection, communication and control systems within a fully-fenced corridor having underpasses and overpasses for wildlife migration, people and vehicles.
An important and unique feature of TGV technology is its articulated structure, which maximises the stability of a trainset in a collision and minimises the risk of jack-knifing. In the unlikely event of a crash, the train units are designed to stay together and remain upright, ensuring a protected passenger environment.
Systems will be installed to monitor the track for obstructions and, as is standard TGV practice, a test train will traverse the line at full speed prior to each day's operations. Sophisticated train-mounted technology will monitor track and control systems on every journey.