AN ECONOMIC VIEW OF RAILROAD ELECTRIFICATION

Despite certain operating advantages, railroads regard electrification as a marginal investment. Economic and energy benefits are not now large enough to merit extensive private investment. Failure to electrify is not a failure to adopt the best possible technology but is really a reflection of conditions in an industry that is already highly capital intensive. Major electrification has to await basic changes in the industry's financial condition. Government-sponsored demonstrations may reduce uncertainty; resolution of basic uncertainties surrounding national transportation and energy policies is also required.

• Record URL:
  • http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/sr/sr180/180-017.pdf
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  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/0360859X
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved
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• Authors:
  • Harvey, Scott B
• Conference:
  • Conference on Railroad Electrification: The Issues
  • Location: Washington District of Columbia, United States
  • Date: 1977-6-13 to 1977-6-15
• Publication Date: 1977

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: References;
• Pagination: pp 76-79
• Monograph Title: RAILROAD ELECTRIFICATION: THE ISSUES
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Board Special Report
  • Issue Number: 180
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0360-859X

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Economic analysis; Energy resources; Financial capital; Financing; Planning; Railroad electrification; Return on investment; Transportation policy
• Uncontrolled Terms: Energy crisis
• Geographic Terms: United States
• Old TRIS Terms: National transportation policies
• Subject Areas: Economics; Energy; Finance; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Policy; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00185225
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Jan 13 1979 12:00AM