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

The cost-benefit efficiency of projects is often wrongly evaluated due to the neglect of projects’ impact on the environment. In this paper, we aim to establish a model to measure such an impact and hence propose a more reasonable approach to evaluating cost-benefit efficiency of projects. We divide the total cost of a certain project into two parts: Business Cost (BC) and Environmental Cost (EC). BC is the explicit cost that can be approached from financial statements, while EC is the implicit cost which we try to quantify. EC is composed of three parts: (1) the Ecosystem Service Value (ESV), (2) the Restoration Cost (RC) to treat the pollution caused by the projects, and (3) the Disaster Cost (DC), potential losses caused by disasters due to launch of new projects. In order to make a cost-benefit efficiency analysis, we introduce profitability index, which is further developed into an adjusted profitability index by taking time value into consideration. Two case studies are conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the model. A regional case of a coal-mining project proves that RC and DC play a significant role in cost-benefit efficiency analysis, while a nationwide case of high-speed rail shows that project scale matters. Additionally, we put our attention on the intensity of the project, which is a created measurement to characterize the project. Based on the study of intensity, the mechanism of cost-benefit break-even is further explained and some suggestions are proposed to policy makers.

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High Speed Rail

Advances in Civil and Industrial Engineering - Emerging Challenges and Opportunities of High Speed Rail Development on Business and Society ◽

10.4018/978-1-5225-0102-2.ch013 ◽

2016 ◽

pp. 262-267

Author(s):

Raj Selladurai ◽

George VandeWerken

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Case Studies ◽

High Speed ◽

The United States ◽

The State ◽

High Speed Rail ◽

Policy Makers ◽

The World ◽

Research Questions ◽

The U.S

High-speed rail is gaining momentum worldwide in many countries in the world including the United States and especially in the state of California, Florida, and Texas currently. Focusing on the list of topics below would enable readers including professionals, policy-makers, leaders, staff, academicians, scholars, and students to explore assignments and research into innovative ideas, plans, and strategies related to high-speed rail in the U.S. The chapter presents a list of topics that includes case studies, research questions, projects, and other suggestions to stimulate further research and explore assignments into more optimal formulation and implementation of high-speed rail for the U.S. in the future.

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Policy Networks and Industrial Revitalization: High Speed Rail Initiatives in France and Germany

Journal of Public Policy ◽

10.1017/s0143814x00007303 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 14 (3) ◽

pp. 311-343 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

James A. Dunn ◽

Anthony Perl

Keyword(s):

High Speed ◽

Policy Networks ◽

Policy Outcomes ◽

Policy Network ◽

Network Approach ◽

Passenger Transport ◽

Temporal Dimension ◽

High Speed Rail ◽

Policy Makers ◽

Commercial Viability

ABSTRACTUsing Atkinson and Coleman's typology of policy networks, this article shows how many of the differences in policy outcomes can be traced to the structure of the policy environment in each nation. French and Germany policy makers adopted a strategy of investing in high speed passenger transport to revitalize their declining railway sectors. The French TGV was developed in a state-directed policy network which insisted on cost containment and commercial viability. In Germany a corporatist style of policymaking in the rail sector led to delays and higher costs for the ICE train. A separate clientele pluralist network led by the Research Ministry developed the Transrapid maglev option, but in order to finance and deploy an operational system, the Chancellor and cabinet had to create a concertation network. The policy network approach provides a useful framework for conducting comparative analysis. In addition, these detailed cases suggest that it is useful to add a dynamic, cross-temporal dimension to the static typology.

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Lessons for Policy Makers in Non-High Speed Rail Countries

Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Railway Technology: Research, Development and Maintenance ◽

10.4203/ccp.104.322 ◽

2014 ◽

Author(s):

M.A.M. Ali

Keyword(s):

High Speed ◽

High Speed Rail ◽

Policy Makers

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High-Speed Rail for Central and Eastern European Countries: A Conference Report

Review of Economic Perspectives ◽

10.1515/revecp-2016-0016 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. 269-275 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Monika Jandová ◽

Zdeněk Tomeš ◽

Chris Nash

Keyword(s):

High Speed ◽

Western Europe ◽

Conference Report ◽

European Countries ◽

Border Crossings ◽

Core Network ◽

High Speed Rail ◽

Policy Makers ◽

Subsequent Discussion ◽

Eastern European Countries

Abstract The European transport strategy promotes the role of railways and expects that the key role in passenger transport should be played by high-speed rail (HSR). Although the core network of high-speed lines has already been built and is operating in Western Europe, there has been little coverage so far in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). The aim of the conference “High-Speed Rail for CEE Countries” that took place in Prague in June 2016 was to put together academics, policy-makers, and practitioners interested in HSR and to formulate recommendations for CEE countries based on West European countries’ experience. Based on the conference presentations and subsequent discussion, the following conclusions were formulated. Firstly, there are many crucial differences in national HSR build-up and operation, which means that former experience of Western Europe is not directly applicable to CEE countries. Secondly, in comparing presentations discussing experiences in France, Britain, Italy, and Germany, it was concluded that the German approach-upgrading existing lines where possible and only building new lines for bottleneck sections-was the most likely appropriate solution in CEE. Lastly, CEE has the additional problem of many border crossings, with a reduction of traffic in comparison with purely domestic routes, and this effect has to be taken into account.

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Economic Impact Analysis on Regional Industries by High-Speed Rail Investments: Application of an Input-Output Model

Transportation Research Record Journal of the Transportation Research Board ◽

10.1177/0361198118786809 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2672 (10) ◽

pp. 247-259

Author(s):

Changju Lee ◽

Jiaqi Ma ◽

Kwan Kyo Oh

Keyword(s):

High Speed ◽

Regional Economy ◽

Impact Analysis ◽

Economic Effects ◽

Input Output ◽

High Speed Rail ◽

Policy Makers ◽

Financial Investment ◽

Economic Impact Analysis ◽

Railroad Tracks

High-speed rail (HSR) systems have advantages over road and air transport, but they require significant financial investment. The economic viability of HSR systems has been analyzed through various methods. The approaches used cannot consider all intangible variables, or cannot satisfy the needs of all stakeholders. Particularly, in situations when policy makers are considering the construction of a new HSR system to stimulate the regional economy, detailed economic effects need to be measured. Hence, this research focuses on: (a) formulating a methodological framework to utilize an input-output (I-O) model in a given region where the regional I-O table is not provided, and (b) quantifying actual economic effects on regional industries by new HSR investment as a case study. Specifically, a four-step process with an I-O model is proposed, and a three-point effect (output, employment, and income) is assessed in Sejong, Republic of Korea. The effects of building a new HSR station in Sejong might generate over $100 million in output, over $21 million in income, and almost 1,000 jobs. Construction of railroad tracks would have more effects on the regional economy with over $1,671 million output, over $37 million income and over 145,000 jobs. In this study, only publicly available data sources are considered to propose the methodology. This approach, therefore, can be repeated for policy analyses in other locations where the data is limited. Further, regardless of the type of transportation investment, this approach can be used by policy makers seeking secure decisions to quantify economic effects on regional industries.

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