Transport economics • High speed Rail • Economics
➤ See also: High speed train in France – High speed train in Germany – High speed train in Italy – High speed train in Japan – High speed line in Taïwan
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Site map High Speed Railways
1 – Overview → 2 – Infrastructure → 3 – Rolling Stock → 4 – Train services → 5 – Economics & Post evaluation
High-speed rail is a subject in its own right within the railway sector. The UIC, the International Union of Railways, has been organizing congresses dedicated exclusively to this theme since 1992. However, other institutions are also interested in the topic and have produced valuable data on the current state of high-speed rail worldwide. This is the focus of the first part.
The second part focuses on the key points of a post-evaluation, and we will see that, based on numerous studies, there is sometimes a significant gap between what was expected and what actually happened, particularly in terms of modal shift.
Conferences, Seminars, and Worldwide Analyses
The first UIC World Congress on High-Speed Rail was held in March 1992 in Brussels, Belgium. The congress is a prominent global event organized by the UIC (International union of railways) that addresses both high-speed rail (HSR) operation and technology. It is held every 2-3 years and has been successfully convened eleven times.
The congress serves as a platform for sharing expertise and fostering collaboration within the high-speed rail sector. It attracts participants from various areas, including railway and technology sectors, CEOs, policymakers, transport authorities, and industry innovators. The event includes round tables, parallel sessions, and technical visits, offering opportunities for in-depth discussions and exploration of the latest HSR advancements.
The congress emphasizes high-speed rail’s role in addressing climate change and its contribution to territorial development, with the slogan “High-speed rail: the right speed for our planet”. The event also highlights HSR’s impact on economic and social development.
Since 1992, these congresses have been held in various cities across Europe and around the world. We have witnessed the rise of China and Asia in general, while North America has remained largely on the sidelines. Below you will find the schedule and details of each of them starting from the 10th congress, the one held in Ankara in 2018, two years before the pandemic.
UIC World Congress on High-Speed Rail 2018 – Ankara, Turkey
The 10th UIC World Congress on High-Speed Rail, co-hosted by UIC and Turkish State Railways (TCDD) in Ankara from 8–11 May 2018, brought together around 1,000 participants from 30 countries. Under the theme “Sharing knowledge for Sustainable and Competitive Operations,” the event highlighted high-speed rail as a modern, efficient, and environmentally respectful transport mode. It served as a global platform for governments, operators, manufacturers, researchers, and stakeholders to exchange ideas on the future of high-speed rail.
Three main round tables framed the congress: the first examined competition and cooperation within the high-speed rail business, stressing intermodality and integrated “door-to-door” transport solutions; the second focused on the role of high-speed rail in fostering regional and local development; and the third explored sustainability and asset management for long-term system resilience. These discussions emphasized collaboration, innovation, and the value of rail in broader socio-economic growth.
Alongside plenary debates, 25 parallel sessions hosted 115 speakers covering topics such as infrastructure, signalling, station design, cybersecurity, life-cycle costs, and energy efficiency. Special sessions engaged universities and start-ups, showcasing new research and technologies, from smart documentation platforms to energy-saving systems. A trade exhibition and technical site visits further enriched the congress, underlining its role as both a knowledge-sharing hub and a driver of innovation for the global high-speed rail community.
UIC World Congress on High-Speed Rail 2023 – Marrakech, Morocco
The 11th UIC World Congress on High-Speed Rail—titled “High-speed rail: the right speed for our planet”—was held in Marrakech from March 7 to 10, 2023, marking the first such event in Africa. It convened 1,500 participants from 48 countries, including 25 CEOs, ministers, ambassadors, rail executives, and researchers. Central themes included rail’s vital role in climate action, decarbonisation, and territorial development.
Discussions emphasized integration—aligning high-speed with conventional rail, advancing multimodal connectivity, and exploring new financing models, including integrated ticketing. Technical sessions covered planning, construction, equipment, operations, safety, and sustainability, supported by technical visits and exhibitions.
UIC also held bilateral meetings with African rail authorities, laying foundations for future collaboration, and announced upcoming initiatives such as high-speed rail training and an atlas of overnight services.
UIC World Congress on High-Speed Rail 2025 – Bejing, China
This 12th edition, themed “High-Speed Rail: Innovation and Development for a better life,” was held in Bejing in July 8 to 11, 2025. Co-organized by the International Union of Railways (UIC) and China Railway, the congress was hosted over two flagship locations: the China National Convention Center (CNCC) and the National Railway Track Test Center (NRTC).
The Chinese had the opportunity to demonstrate their power and their position as the world’s number one, supported by an exhibition of rolling stock produced by their industry. Operating at 400 km/h, which until now has been rejected by all global players for reasons of economic and energy sustainability, seems instead to have become China’s flagship project. Underlying this is the ambition to sell abroad a train that consumes no more energy at 400 km/h than it does at 300 or 320 km/h.
China is not abandoning Maglev technology either, a model of which was also presented at one of the two sites. For the Chinese, Maglev should be seen as a complement for very large passenger flows, and not as a replacement for wheel-rail technology.
The basics of a post-evaluation of a high-speed rail (HSR) project
For a post-evaluation of a high-speed rail (HSR) project, the key criteria include the achievement of initial objectives, compliance with budget and deadlines, environmental and social impacts, as well as the satisfaction of users and stakeholders. It is also crucial to assess the relevance of the technology used, the quality of construction and operations, and the long-term sustainability of the project.
Here is a more detailed list of criteria to consider:
1. Achievement of objectives:
- SMART objectives: Verify whether the initial goals (speed, capacity, geographic coverage, etc.) have been met.
- Efficiency: Measure the effectiveness of the HSR in terms of travel time, train punctuality, and capacity to transport large numbers of passengers.
- Socio-economic impact: Assess the impact of the HSR on regional economic development, job creation, and changes in travel habits.
2. Compliance with budget and deadlines:
- Budget: Compare the actual cost of the project with the initial budget and analyze the reasons for any overruns.
- Deadlines: Examine whether the project was delivered on time and identify the factors that may have caused delays.
3. Environmental and societal impact:
- Energy consumption: Assess the energy use of the HSR and its impact on greenhouse gas emissions.
- Noise pollution: Measure noise generated by train operations and evaluate mitigation measures.
- Impact on biodiversity: Study the impact of the HSR route on surrounding ecosystems.
- Accessibility: Ensure that the system is accessible to persons with reduced mobility and meets the needs of all users.
4. Satisfaction of users and stakeholders:
- Service quality: Measure user satisfaction regarding comfort, punctuality, information, and safety.
- Infrastructure quality: Assess the construction quality of tracks, stations, and related facilities.
- Communication and information: Analyze the quality of communication with users and stakeholders during both construction and operations.
5. Project sustainability:
- Maintenance and upkeep: Evaluate the adequacy of maintenance and upkeep plans for the HSR and its infrastructure.
- Technology: Examine the relevance of the technology used and its adaptability to future developments.
- Long-term profitability: Measure the project’s long-term profitability and assess its financial viability.
6. Other criteria:
- Innovation: Assess the innovative aspects of the project and its potential to inspire similar initiatives.
- Capacity building: Examine whether the project contributed to strengthening local capacity in construction, engineering, and project management.
- International cooperation: Analyze any international cooperation developed as part of the project.
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