Efficiency and Spatial Equity Impacts of High-Speed Rail on the Central Plains Economic Region of China

Xiaomin Wang,Wenxin Zhang

doi:10.3390/su11092583

Abstract

Efficiency impacts can be assessed based on improvements in accessibility promoted by the high-speed rail (HSR) project, focusing mainly on major urban areas. Spatial equity impacts originate from changes in the distribution of accessibility levels observed across such cities. This study uses the weighted average travel time and coefficient of variation to explore the impact of HSR on efficiency and spatial equity within the Central Plains Economic Region (CPER) and to build an “efficiency-equity” model to identify optimal upgrading of conventional rail (CR) lines to improve the accessibility of the CPER and mitigate regional disparities. The results indicate that since the operation of HSR, accessibility levels across the CPER have improved by roughly 24.56%, and the spatial distribution of gains has been uneven since the most significant improvements have occurred in HSR cities and large cities. Inequality in regional accessibility has increased by 28.12%, creating a more heterogeneous pattern of accessibility. With goals of “efficiency” and “equity”, an examination of the upgrading of CR as an approach shows that “Xinxiang-Jiaozuo” and “Xinxiang-Jiaozuo-Sanmenxia-Yuncheng” are the best upgraded lines for improving the efficiency of the CPER and limiting regional disparities. The results of this study serve as supportive information for the planning and construction of HSR lines and networks and for underdeveloped regional transport system policymaking.

Highlights

The high-speed rail (HSR) with operating speeds ranging from 200 km/h to 350 km/h serves as an important component of transportation systems
This study explores the impact of HSR on efficiency and the weighted average travel time (WATT) is used as a suitable indicator for measuring accessibility in this work
The WATT values were calculated for all Central Plains Economic Region (CPER) cities included in the study to estimate efficiency impacts with and without HSR networks in the CPER

Summary

Introduction

The high-speed rail (HSR) with operating speeds ranging from 200 km/h to 350 km/h serves as an important component of transportation systems. Benefits produced by the HSR transport infrastructure in cities and regions are frequently demonstrated by their accessibility [1,2], a term generally defined as the ability to reach a designated location in an appropriate amount of time and to rely on transportation facilities, depending on the mobility of a person and the opportunity to achieve goals through mobility [3]. The most direct influence of HSR is accessibility improvement [4,5,6]. HSR transport infrastructure shortens travel times and promotes the mobility of and interactions between people engaged in different economic activities, allowing individuals to travel more frequently and over longer distances [9]. Accessibility improvement plays an important role in restructuring spatial variation and new economic patterns observed across regions [10]

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Conclusion