Modelling by the CSIRO indicates that the $14.5 billion inland rail link between Melbourne and Brisbane will be able to carry 22 million tonnes of freight a year and deliver savings of $213 million annually. This modelling was conducted before the recent petrol price spike.
The CSIRO also estimates the rail link has the potential to take 200,000 trucks off the road each year, or 150 B-doubles for each train travelling between Melbourne and Brisbane, thereby helping to ease road congestion and emissions.
From The AFR:
