GCC high-speed rail is too fast

20 October 2014

Cost and safety concerns mean slower speeds should be considered

The GCC’s high-speed rail lines do not need to operate at 350 kilometres an hour (km/h). Consultants speaking at MEED’s Mena Rail & Metro Summit in Dubai on 20 October said the extra cost and safety challenges mean that speeds of 300km/h would be more appropriate,

“There is a strong focus in the region to go for 350 km/h,” says Dago Beek, programme manager at US-based Fluor.  “It is too fast. Economically it kills projects, and from a safety point of view, there is no proven system with an operational speed of 350km/h. 300km/h is much more reliable and I believe it is safer.”

Cost is a major issue once railways operate at more than 250km/h, as highly specialised infrastructure and systems are needed. “The additional cost is significant,” says Pierre Cherki, rail and infrastructure sector deputy director at US-based Hill International.

“They say for every 50km/h you go above 250km/h, there is a doubling of costs,” says Beek. “300km/h is fast enough. For 1,000km it is just over 3 hours, and although you will still have financial challenges, with 300km/h it is a proven system.”

The GCC’s first true high-speed railway is currently under construction. Saudi Arabia’s 450km Haramain high-speed link between Mecca and Medina through Jeddah has a design speed of 360km/h.

A MEED Subscription...

Subscribe or upgrade your current MEED.com package to support your strategic planning with the MENA region’s best source of business information. Proceed to our online shop below to find out more about the features in each package.