High-Speed Rail:Lessons for Policy Makers from Experiences Abroad

Daniel Albalate and Germà Bel

No 201003, IREA Working Papers from University of Barcelona, Research Institute of Applied Economics

Abstract: In April 2009 the US government unveiled its blueprint for a national network of high-speed passenger rail (HSR) lines aimed at reducing traffic congestion, cutting national dependence on foreign oil and improving rural and urban environments. In implementing such a program, it is essential to identify the factors that might influence decision making and the eventual success of the HSR project, as well as foreseeing the obstacles that will have to be overcome. In this article we review, summarize and analyze the most important HSR projects carried out to date around the globe, namely those of Japan, France, Germany, Spain, and Italy. We focus our attention on the main issues involved in the undertaking of HSR projects: their impact on mobility, the environment, the economy and on urban centers. By so doing, we identify sessons for policy makers and managers working on the implementation of HSR projects.

Keywords: Interurban Transportation, Government Investment Analysis, Transportation Planning, Rail Costs Management.. JEL classification: L91; L92; R41; R42; R48 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 34 pages
Date: 2010-02, Revised 2010-02
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-ene and nep-ure
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ira:wpaper:201003

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