Research Catalog

The Economic Effects of High Speed Rail Investment

Title
The Economic Effects of High Speed Rail Investment [electronic resource] / Ginés de Rus
Author
de Rus, Ginés.
Publication
Paris : OECD Publishing, 2008.

Available Online

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Details

Description
38 p.; 21 x 29.7cm.
Summary
The allocation of traffic between different transport modes follows transport user decisions which depend on the generalized cost of travel in the available alternatives. High Speed Rail (HSR) investment is a government decision with significant effects on the generalized cost of rail transport; and therefore on the modal split in corridors where private operators compete for traffic and charge prices close to total producer costs (infrastructure included). The rationale for HSR investment is not different to any other public investment decision. Public funds should be allocated to this mode of transport if its net expected social benefit is higher than in the next best alternative. The exam of data on costs and demand shows that the case for investing in HSR is strongly dependent on the existing volume of traffic where the new lines are built, the expected time savings and generated traffic and the average willingness to pay of potential users, the release of capacity in congested roads, airports or conventional rail lines and the net reduction of external effects. This paper discusses, within a cost-benefit analysis framework, under which conditions the expected benefits from deviated traffic (plus generated traffic), and other alleged external effects and indirect benefits justify the investment in HSR projects. It pays special attention to intermodal effects and pricing.
Series Statement
OECD/ITF Joint Transport Research Centre Discussion Papers, 2070-8270 ; no.2008/16
Uniform Title
OECD/ITF Joint Transport Research Centre Discussion Papers, no.2008/16.
Subject
Transport
LCCN
10.1787/235171703148
OCLC
oecd-lib-001402
Author
de Rus, Ginés.
Title
The Economic Effects of High Speed Rail Investment [electronic resource] / Ginés de Rus
Imprint
Paris : OECD Publishing, 2008.
Series
OECD/ITF Joint Transport Research Centre Discussion Papers, 2070-8270 ; no.2008/16
OECD/ITF Joint Transport Research Centre Discussion Papers, 2070-8270 ; no.2008/16.
Connect to:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/235171703148
Indexed Term
Transport
Other Standard Identifier
10.1787/235171703148 doi
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