Poland's Path to High-Speed Rail – Analysis of Challenges and Development Prospects

Abstract: This article analyzes the prospects and scenarios for the development of high-speed rail in Poland against the backdrop of experiences from other European countries. Despite early investments, such as the Central Rail Line from the 1970s, Poland remains behind in the process of European high-speed infrastructure. A significant change in this regard was the introduction of speeds of 160 km/h and subsequently the introduction of Pendolino trains. This improved the quality of transport; however, their full potential (250 km/h) is still not fully utilized. Planned investments, including the modernization of the Central Rail Line and the construction of the "Y" high-speed line (Warsaw–Łódź–Wrocław–Poznań), aim to significantly increase train speeds and enhance the competitiveness of rail transport. An analysis of the experiences of France, Germany, Italy, and Spain indicates positive economic and environmental effects of implementing high-speed rail systems, while also highlighting different planning and operational models of individual HSR (High-Speed Rail) systems. This allows for the assessment of individual models in terms of the applicability of their elements in the implementation and development program of the high-speed rail system in Poland. Keywords: High-speed rail; Rail infrastructure; Investments