Passenger Rail Station & Rolling Highway Hub Placement: Case Study of Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton

 

Amir Afyouni
Nithin Davuluri
Wasifa Bintee Mahid
G.W.W Sujeewa Lasantha Pieris 
Vimukthi Deshapriya Perera Pathirage 

 

University Canada West

September 19, 2025

 

Executive Summary


The paper will analyze the concerns influencing the placement of passenger railways and logistic centers within Western Canada, with Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton in particular. The central issues that the analysis identifies are population density, accessibility of the available transportation infrastructure, trends in economic activity, and environmental issues.


The Pacific Central Station in Vancouver, Calgary Downtown, and the Edmonton VIA Rail Station are the most appropriate passenger hubs, as they were identified to be the most suitable locations because of their central urban concentration, current transit integration, and ability to serve large commuter catchments. In the case of freight, the most viable contenders would include the Surrey and Langley industrial corridor in Vancouver, the CN Conrich Logistics Park in Calgary, and the Edmonton Intermodal Terminal in the northeast industrial sector. These sites take advantage of being directly served by major highways and rail systems as well as the availability of industrial land.


By transporting the long-haul trucks on a rail, the congestion on Highway 1, Stoney Trail, and Anthony Henday Drive would be reduced by around 10 to 15 percent, and the CO₂ emission in freight transportation would be reduced by up to 25 percent saving roughly 60,000 to 80,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually, compared to hauling the trucks on the road. This dual-hub model illustrates that joint accessibility to passengers and freight performance leads to connectivity, offers safety, and makes the Rolling Highway a rational and viable mode of transporting people and freight in Western Canada. The suggestions are in perfect alignment with British Columbia's CleanBC policy, Alberta's provincial freight and logistics priorities, and Transport Canada's 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan.