Does vertical separation always make sense?

In spite of the fact that the European Commission believes that European Union (EU) member states should enforce full separation of infrastructure from train operations, an analysis of experience so far, as presented in this article, suggests that security of funding is far more important for the countries of central and eastern Europe and that the benefits are not proven. The study compared available data for EU member states, such as level of competition in the rail freight market; growth in freight and passenger markets; and rail's share of the total freight and passenger traffic market in selected countries. In conclusion, the authors believe that there is no evidence to support the requirement to fully separate infrastructure from train operations. This work should provide a guide to possible future legislation.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • This article is based on the authors' ITS Working Paper No 594 2 'Vertical Separation of railway infrastructure - does it always make sense?', published by the University of Leeds in 2011. Available at http://www.its.leeds.ac.uk/downloads/ITS%20Working%20paper%20594%20-%20Vertical%20separation%20of%20railway%20infrastructure%20Drew%20Nash.pdf
• Authors:
  • Drew, Jeremy
  • Nash, Chris
• Publication Date: 2011-10

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; Photos; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 37-39, 41-42

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Competition; Economic analysis; Freight and passenger traffic; Market development; Market share; Markets; Railroads; Restructuring; Train operations
• Identifier Terms: European Commission
• Geographic Terms: European Union countries
• Subject Areas: Economics; Freight Transportation; Passenger Transportation; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01355837
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 27 2011 2:43PM