STUDIES IN RAILROAD OPERATIONS AND ECONOMICS. RAILROAD RATIONALIZATION METHODOLOGY

Railroads can strengthen their competitive and financial position through a program of rationalization that improves service levels or increases operating efficiency. Nevertheless, rationalization proposals are difficult to implement because the various interest groups perceive different costs and benefits, a situation that leads to protests, delay, and perhaps cancellation. This report presents a methodology designed to promote a more effective planning process. The methodology includes a conceptual framework, a set of planning guidelines, a recommended planning procedure, and a review of supply and demand models. By using this methodology, railroads will be more apt to find the best rationalization strategy by spending more time on analysis and negotiation and less on non-productive disputes.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Prepared for the Program of University Research of the U.S. Department of Transportation.
• Corporate Authors:

  Massachusetts Institute of Technology

  Department of Civil Engineering, 77 Massachusetts Avenue
  Cambridge, MA  United States  02139
• Authors:
  • Martland, C D
  • Terziev, M N
• Publication Date: 1976-1

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: 147 p.
• Serial:
  • Volume: 18

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Abandonment; Analysis; Consolidations; Costs; Forecasting; Freight traffic; Industry structure; Joint use; Management; Mergers; Operations; Planning; Quality of service; Railroad traffic; Trackage rights; Traffic density; Traffic forecasting
• Uncontrolled Terms: Cost analysis
• Old TRIS Terms: Joint facilities; Light density lines; Management planning; Operations planning
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Finance; Freight Transportation; Planning and Forecasting; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00174345
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Report/Paper Numbers: MIT-R77-12 Final Rpt.
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 31 1978 12:00AM