High speed technology in Morocco could be viewed as a natural progression of the major infrastructure projects policy launched a few years ago, and as a logical choice that chimes with the country’s developing economy. The development of high speed lines in Morocco thus seems increasingly inevitable.

High speed master plan

It was against this wider background of the major infrastructure projects policy that ONCF undertook a key study in 2005-2006, which led to the development of a master plan for a high speed network in Morocco (see map).

This master plan sets out the programme for building 1500 km of high speed lines, comprising two core routes.

• The “Atlantic” corridor linking Tangier-Casablanca-Marrakech-Agadir
• The “Maghreb” corridor linking Rabat-Fes-Oudja

Various route options were considered during the planning of the high speed rail link between Kenitra and Tangiers (first phase of the project). The route options were compared on the basis of a multiple-criteria analysis, taking into account technical as well as environmental aspects. The following aspects were thus considered:

• Function of the route
• Earth movement and earth works
• Hydrology and hydraulics
• Engineering structures (the final route has 1.25 engineering structures per km, that is 250 standard structures and seven major civil structures)
• Geology and natural risks (flood-prone, dune and seismic areas)
• Natural environment
• Human environment
• Noise impact

The final approved route, which lies adjacent to the motorway for 28% of the journey, takes into account the protection of the natural environment. ONCF considered it vital to include the environmental aspect in the project. The contracting authority is therefore working with an environmental project management assistance team (PMT). Throughout the project, this environmental PMT is tasked with drafting and inspecting the documents and environmental procedures to be observed by companies building the line.

First stage of Morocco’s high speed project: strategic objectives

The Casablanca-Tangier rail link has thus been fixed as the initial priority in order to serve the North Morocco region. Rail passenger transport along this corridor has developed considerably and steadily by around 80% in the space of five years (2007 compared to 2002).

The Casablanca-Tangier rail link will:

• Meet the expected increase in traffic and provide customers with a more competitive rail product in terms of safety, quality, speed, frequency and punctuality
• Increase the number of rail services offered in order to boost capacity on this line, which will witness a considerable increase in demand by 2012, especially due to the opening of the Tangier-Mediterranean port
• Contribute significantly to the structure and sustainable development of this important corridor: enhancing potential in the region, boosting infrastructure, etc.
• Free capacity from the existing line, enabling smoother freight traffic flows predicted on this line: strong growth in container traffic volume between Casablanca and Tangier (spillover effects from the Tangier-Mediterranean port)
• Remain in sync with the international dimension of rail development

To derive the maximum possible benefit from the investment already made on the Casablanca-Kenitra line section (double-track), the following is envisaged:

• Building a high speed line of around 200 km on the first section between Tangier and Kenitra, on which trains will be able to operate at line speeds of 320 km/h
• Purchasing railway equipment
• Adapting and upgrading the conventional lines entering Tangier and Kenitra
• Purchasing high speed train sets
• Building a dedicated workshop in Tangier for the maintenance of high speed train sets
• Operating trains on the existing line to continue their journey to Casablanca

Design references

Over 300 experts have been involved to date, including just under 200 Moroccan engineers and around 60 experts from the French National Railways (SNCF). During the design stage, the latter worked with a number of guidelines, such as:

• Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSI)
• International and European standards (ISO and EN)
• Moroccan standards (NM)
• ONCF guidelines
• Other guidelines

A project included in the benefits

By choosing high speed, Morocco joins the group of countries which, having adopted this technology, benefits today from a number of positive impacts on sustainable development, regional development, or even mobility growth. High speed should therefore also enable the following:

• Reduce pollution levels by 210,000 Teq CO2/year (for the duration of the entire master plan)
• Carry 6 to 8 million passengers once it enters service
• Reduce journey times (2 hours 10 minutes instead of 4 hours 45 minutes between Tangier and Casablanca and 1 hour 20 minutes instead of 3 hours 45 minutes between Tangier and Rabat)
• Offer competitive fares in line with customer purchasing power