In addition to the time saved on journeys and the socioeconomic impact, HS will contribute to a reduction in the use of fuels and emissions meaning more sustainable mobility and reduced environmental impact.
Travelling by train:
Produces on average 3 to 10 times less CO2 than other forms of transport
Is on average 2 to 5 times more efficient in terms of energy use than travelling by plane or car
Taking 2025 as a reference year, the external benefits of the high-speed rail network project could reach 245 million euros/year. This sum is primarily the result of a reduction in road accidents, a reduction in atmospheric pollution and also the positive influence of the project on climate change.
The expected decrease in external influences will be mainly due to the transfer of a significant amount of road traffic to the new high-speed alternative.
The HS network project takes into account measures to minimize all identified negative impacts. Such impacts are mostly local in nature and are related to the barrier effect and noise.
The barrier effect imposes restrictions on the movement of people in urban areas and the preservation of nature by limiting the movement of species. However, all paths which are broken by the high-speed line will be re-established by the construction of new roads, walkways and crossings (overhead and underground).
The noise caused by HS trains is less than traditional trains and given the expectations that there will be a transfer of transit from road and air to HS, a reduction in noise is also expected to take place on road and air infrastructures.
Assessment of environmental impact
For every high-speed connection, an Environmental Impact Study is conducted which contemplates several alternative routes and which also analyzes issues such as land use planning, noise, influence on natural and cultural heritage as well as urban effects.
When the Environmental Impact Assessment is concluded, under the responsibility of the Ministry of the Environment, which includes a public consultation stage, one of the route options is chosen for implementation.
Preventive Measures
With the aim of guaranteeing the necessary period for the scheduling and execution of the public project for the highspeed rail connections and in order to not compromise its viability, the government implemented preventive measures intended to avoid alteration to the circumstances and conditions in the areas crossed by the defined route, or which would make the execution of the project more difficult or costly.