Density and LRT: the case of Canberra, Australia

Abstract

Canberra, the capital of Australia, is a city with two modes of mechanised passenger travel: traditional bus and automobile. While Canberra is the capital of the country, it is a relatively small city, with a current population of approximately 340,000, and relatively spread out with a low overall average population density. Recently the local government (the government of the Australian Capital Territory) submitted a bid to the Australian federal government to fund a light-rail system for the city. This paper examines the issues of serving low and medium density communities with light rail, using Canberra as a case study. The study sets the scene by qualitatively and quantitatively characterising the socioeconomic and demographic profile of Canberra, with a focus on centres of population and economic density; reviews the literature on light rail transit (LRT) for low-to-medium density areas, focussing on Australia; and analyses what an LRT in Canberra would look like if it is to be financially, operationally and environmentally sustainable.