Research Information System
13th RSAI World Congress, Marrakush, Morocco, 25 - 28 May 2021, pp.24-25
The twenty first century is characterized by the current and future extension of the high-speed rail (HSR) network
in developing countries. According to the UIC (International Union of Railways) data there are 47,560 km of highspeed lines (HSL) in the world, 12,892 km were under construction as the date of 1st October 2019. More than
40,000 km were planned worldwide for completion by 2050. The twenty first century is characterized by the
network extension in developing or emerging countries (China, Turkey, and Morocco) and by projects in many
others (India, Brasilia, Malaysia, Egypt, etc.). If lines are already in operation in China, Turkey, Morocco and others
are built (Iran) and projects exist in numerous countries (Brasilia, Malaysia, Egypt, etc.) that is, in very different
socio- economical contexts. High Speed Railway systems (HSRs) are an alternative way to the aviation sector and road transportations from the point of time reduce, cost and accessibility over distance of 250-1000 km. As it
commonly known that HSR improves intra/inter-regional accessibility, enhance the mobility and can induce
different travel purposes. When a new High-speed line (HSL) line is constructed, the cities which are located and
have stations on the line are therefore gained advantages from these opportunities, because of accessibility
improvements. However, can the issue of the potential increase in accessibility and in mobility be addressed in
the same way in developing countries which are characterized by larger inequalities than in developed ones? The
issue is to know for whom and for what use they are built. Has everybody access to high-speed rail in developing
countries? Who can use HSR? Do low income and greater inequalities which characterize the developing countries
influence the use of the transport infrastructure? The main issue is linked to the price policy, to the income level
and also to the alternative mode of transportation. The aim of this communication is to analyse the link between
high-speed line and spatial and social inequalities. After presenting the Turkish’ case, we will analyse the HSR
from the point of passengers’ income, trip purpose and regional accessibility. We will show that the price policy in
Turkey and the willingness to serve numerous cities all over the country makes High Speed rail a tool for a better
equity.