VLC has been appointed Demand Forecasting Adviser for Newcastle to Sydney High Speed Rail with the High Speed Rail Authority (HSRA), building on its involvement in the project since 2024 through the project definition and business case phase.

Working alongside L.E.K., Choice Research International and Professor Mark Wardman, VLC will contribute to the next stage of the project, providing detailed demand forecasting to inform key decisions for one of Australia’s most significant proposed transport investments.

High Speed Rail has long been part of Australia’s infrastructure vision, particularly across major intercity corridors where population growth and increasing travel demand are placing pressure on existing networks.

Delivering a project of this scale requires a robust evidence base, with demand forecasting playing a central role in understanding how people will use the system and how it should be designed and delivered over time.

Since 2024, VLC has supported the High Speed Rail Authority in developing the project definition and business case, helping to establish the foundations for forecasting travel demand and assessing how different scenarios may influence the performance of the network. This work builds on VLC’s broader experience in high-speed rail and transport modelling, including scoping and developing the modelling tools used in the demand forecasting.

The current phase represents a shift from feasibility and high-level assessment into more detailed model refinement, assurance and application. Accurate demand forecasting will be critical to ensuring that the system is aligned with future travel behaviour and delivers value from the outset.

‘We’re proud to support the High Speed Rail Authority on this landmark initiative. Reliable demand forecasting is critical to informing a range of decisions, from design to staging. We’re excited to be working with such a strong team to help shape this transformative project,’ said VLC Director Daniel Veryard.

VLC’s role within the broader team reflects a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to the project. As High Speed Rail continues to progress, this expertise will play an important role in shaping how the network is planned, delivered and experienced.