ECONOMIES OF TRAFFIC DENSITY IN THE RAIL FREIGHT INDUSTRY

The extent of economies of traffic density in the rail freight industry is a matter of critical importance with respect to public investment in and the financial viability of the United States rail system. Certain inadequacies of previous studies of rail costs are reviewed and methodological modifications proposed. The results of an econometric analysis which incorporates these revisions are presented. The evidence strongly supports the hypothesis that significant economies of density exist, and that many of the light-density lines which comprise 40 percent of the rail system should be eliminated.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/2247096
• Corporate Authors:

  American Telephone and Telegraph Company

  195 Broadway
  New York, NY  United States  10007
• Authors:
  • HARRIS, R G
• Publication Date: 1977-9

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 556-564
• Serial:
  • Bell Journal of Economics
  • Volume: 8
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: American Telephone and Telegraph Company
  • ISSN: 0361-915X
  • Serial URL: http://www.jstor.org/journals/0361915X.html

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Abandonment; Analysis; Competition; Costs; Econometric models; Economic analysis; Freight transportation; Modal split; Pricing; Profitability; Railroad traffic; Rate making; Traffic density; Transportation modes
• Identifier Terms: U.S. Interstate Commerce Commission
• Uncontrolled Terms: Cost analysis
• Old TRIS Terms: Light density lines
• Subject Areas: Economics; Finance; Freight Transportation; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00167502
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 27 1977 12:00AM