TECHNICAL CHANGE IN THE RAILROAD INDUSTRY. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY REPORT

In the study of technical change in the railroad industry, service innovation, rather than technical innovation, is examined. Service innovation is subject to severe regulatory constraints in contrast to technical innovation which is not particularly subject to such constraints. By studying American and Canadian railroad operations, this project has attempted to isolate the economic and regulatory forces that may have impeded or promoted the utilization of specific innovative services in each country. Research in the following areas is summarized: differences in costs and technology between Canadian and U.S. railroads; the role of integrated transportation companies and rate freedom in utilization of intermodal services; and the role of rate freedom in the utilization of unit trains.

• Corporate Authors:

  Massachusetts Institute of Technology

  Center for Transportation Studies, Room 1121
  Cambridge, MA  United States  02139

  National Science Foundation

  1800 G Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20550
• Authors:
  • Friedlaender, A F
• Publication Date: 1980-10

Media Info

• Pagination: 17 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Analysis; Carriers; Coal; Costs; Deregulation; Economic analysis; Freight service; Freight transportation; Intermodal services; Marketing; Policy; Railroad trains; Railroad transportation; Railroads; Rate making; Regulations; Technological forecasting; Technological innovations; Technology transfer
• Identifier Terms: U.S. Interstate Commerce Commission
• Uncontrolled Terms: Cost analysis
• Geographic Terms: Canada; United States
• Old TRIS Terms: Cargo transportation; Government policies; Government regulations
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Economics; Education and Training; Finance; Freight Transportation; Law; Policy; Railroads; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00336214
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: NSF/PRA-7617394/3
• Contract Numbers: NSF-PRA76-17394
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 21 1981 12:00AM