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revitalise city precincts, stimulate residential development along rail corridors and boost local economies through increased busi- ness investment, all while containing urban sprawl. Average house prices along the light- rail corridor between Gungahlin and the CBD grew at a faster rate than those in other ACT suburbs, and additional development in these areas will support further popula- tion growth. Key hubs along the line are also seeing increased commercial interest as the permanency of a fixed-line light rail under- pins confidence in the market. As cities grow and densify, another sig- nificant benefit light rail can offer is an at- tractive and accessible transport option for commuting workers, students and tourists. Good infrastructure is designed to maximise citizens’ wellbeing, and light rail is an excel- lent tool for connecting people across demo- graphics and social barriers. Canberra’s light rail also serves to illustrate this opportunity, as the line connects the city’s fastest-grow- ing residential area to the city centre, a sim- ilarly fast-growing jobs-and-recreation hub. With attractive, comfortable, safe and easi- ly accessible vehicles for citizens of all ages and abilities, the ACT’s light-rail system is well-placed to connect an ageing popula- tion, increasing numbers of inner-city fami- lies, and people with disabilities throughout the city for decades to come. Undoubtedly, climate change will dramat- ically affect the way our cities are planned and how people move within them – pos- sibly even more than population or demo- graphic changes will. Choking in smoke while idling in stand-still traffic along arteri-

al roads is hardly a pleasant experience, yet this is what may lie in store for city residents if emissions aren’t reduced and investments made in public transit. Light rail again offers an attractive, emissions-free alternative. Light-rail vehicles run off not fuel but elec- tricity, which can be generated using renew- able sources, as is the case in the ACT. Mean- while, engineering breakthroughs such as regenerative braking can further maximise energy efficiency. Instead of getting in their cars and contributing to road congestion, Canberrans can cycle or walk to a light-rail stop, expect to board within five to six min- utes, and enjoy a climate-controlled journey into their place of work or study. Emissions targets are only one consideration when planning for light rail into the future. Engi- neering solutions for temperature control, urban heat island effect, biodiversity im- pacts and deteriorating soils, to name just a few challenges, are paramount in planning light-rail networks into the future, in the ACT and elsewhere. All of these benefits are intrinsic to light rail, but it is important to remember they have been realised in conjunction with other city-building initiatives, including revitalisa- tion projects in these key hubs and housing development programs. Similarly, Norway’s light rail in Bergen was conceived not only as a transportation pro- ject but as one part of an enormous urban-de- velopment plan to connect the airport, out- er-city suburbs and key development hubs. It’s been a similar story in other European cities – Bordeaux, Angers and Bern. To har- ness the potential of light rail to address the

challenges future cities will face, govern- ments must balance urban-design consid- erations alongside technical solutions, and ensure transport operations are central to informing the design of the entire network. The future of light rail is bright. But, as Can- berra’s example shows, it is essential to un- derstand the drivers and objectives for light rail before delivery to ensure its success. In the ACT, a clear statement of aspirations helped guide the planning and ultimate suc- cess of Stage One of light rail, and will contin- ue to guide future extensions of the network across the city. City planners, engineers and members of parliament considering bring- ing light rail to their cities would do well to remember the value light rail can bring, but also how those benefits can be limited if not accompanied by a city-wide master plan or other infrastructure investments. If in doubt, perhaps they should look to Canberra. Duncan Edghill is the deputy director general of Transport Canberra.

HTTPS://YOUTU. BE/-UBNMWDM- V9C?SI=0MPWUU- KO5EAHQFMW

Video - Why light rail is a good investment.

Image: Terry Graham, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

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INNOVATIA

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