Australia's freight transport system now has the highest proportion of truck use of any developed country in the world, and with New Zealand, its cities are heavily dependent on cars. - Back on Track considers the historic, economic and political issues that have led to this situation, and concludes that the emergence of such a strongly road-oriented system has not been in the national interest, on both economic and environmental grounds. - It develops a detailed analysis of Australia's 'road transport deficit'. - The authors suggest that rail is the neglected element in Australian and New Zealand transport systems and despite a history of 'policy paralysis', they offer a rail-based ten point plan that could see both countries' transport systems 'back on track'. - Using new data on transportation trends from Australia and around the world, the book sets out a vision for the future of freight and inter-capital transport in Australia and New Zealand, and offers innovative transport strategies for each of the major cities in both countries.