Skip to page content

Railway Transportation

Efficient railway transportation helps ensure both population mobility and a functioning supply chain, but railway reliability is often threatened by inadequate capacity, aging infrastructure, increasing freight costs, and potential security threats. RAND researchers have explored and recommended different approaches to modernizing rail systems and keeping them safe.

Research Brief

Research Brief

China Belt and Road Initiative: How revival of the silk road could impact world trade

By using both qualitative and quantitative analysis, this study found improving transportation multimodal connectivity has a positive impact on multilateral trade across countries and regions along China Belt and Road Initiative.

Aug 21, 2018
Report

Report

China Belt and Road Initiative: Measuring the impact of improving transportation connectivity on trade in the region

Using both qualitative and quantitative analysis, this study found improving transportation multimodal connectivity has a positive impact on multilateral trade across countries and regions along China Belt and Road Initiative.

Aug 21, 2018
Report

Army Installation Rail Operations: Implications of Increased Outsourcing

In this report, we evaluate the three business models that the Army relies on for its on-post rail operations and determine whether greater reliance on commercial rail assets could meet Army rail needs at a lower cost.

Jan 8, 2018
Journal Article

Journal Article

Rail Demand Forecasting Estimation Study: Phase Reports

Review of the rail demand forecasting methods used by government, the study was completed in 2 phases.

Apr 27, 2017
Journal Article

Modelling Long-Distance Travel in Great Britain

Trips longer than 50 mi account for less than one-fortieth of all trips but nearly one-third of all distance traveled within Great Britain. Because of the small proportion of all travel that they form, long-distance trips may not be adequately represented in national databases and models.

Jan 1, 2013
Report

Report

Comparison of the Long-Distance Model and PLANET Long-Distance: Phase 2, Demand Model

This report presents analysis that compares the PLANET long-distance model and the Department for Transport's long-distance model (LDM) and helps to inform which components of both models might be used to develop an improved HS2 Ltd model.

Dec 10, 2012
Commentary

No Data? Big Problem.

Good data can inform decision makers about what really works—how best to relieve congestion and improve supply-chain connectivity to make freight transportation—and hence the U.S. economy—more competitive, write Mortimer Downey, Joseph Schofer, and Johanna Zmud.

Mar 20, 2012
Brochure

Brochure

Spotlight on 2011

With 2012 being our 20th anniversary year, the report features some of our recent work while reflecting on how RAND Europe has developed and remained relevant over the last two decades. It highlights selected research and corporate activity in 2011.

Jan 19, 2012
Report

Modelling Demand for Long Distance Passenger Travel in Great Britain

RAND Europe, in collaboration with URS/Scott Wilson, has developed models to predict demand for long-distance passenger travel in Great Britain to appraise the impact of new transport infrastructure and operation policies aimed at this market, such as high-speed rail, highway management, and policies directed towards domestic air travel. Stated preference surveys were conducted with rail, air and car travellers to enable better representation of high-speed rail in the models.

Jun 23, 2011
Report

Report

The Arc: A Formal Structure for a Palestinian State

An examination of options and cost estimates for strengthening the housing and transportation infrastructure of a potential future independent Palestinian state in the context of a large and rapidly growing Palestinian population.

May 19, 2011
Journal Article

Using Ordered Attitudinal Indicators in a Latent Variable Choice Model: A Study of the Impact of Security on Rail Travel Behaviour

In this article, we present an application of jointly estimated attitudinal and choice models to a real-world transport study, looking at the role of latent attitudes in a rail travel context. Our results show the impact that concern with privacy, liberty and security, and distrust of business, technology and authority have on the desire for rail travel in the face of increased security measures, as well as for universal security checks.

Jan 1, 2011
Journal Article

Journal Article

Quantifying Individuals' Trade-Offs Between Privacy, Liberty and Security: The Case of Rail Travel in UK

This paper uses a stated choice experiment to quantify individuals' tradeoffs between privacy and security within a real-life context, namely rail travel in the UK.

Mar 31, 2010
News Release

News Release

U.S. Freight System Modernization Necessary to Reduce Bottlenecks, Improve Security

The long-term efficiency and effectiveness of the U.S. freight transportation system is threatened by bottlenecks, inefficient use of some parts of the infrastructure components, vulnerability to disruptions, and crucial environmental and energy concerns.

Jun 9, 2009
Brochure

Brochure

Policy Insight, Volume 2, Issue 5, December 2008: Getting America Back on Track: U.S. Public Policy on Railroads

Discusses whether and how policymakers should invest in expanding U.S. rail infrastructure to help accommodate projected increases in freight traffic.

Dec 8, 2008
News Release

News Release

Pennsylvania's Rail System Will Require Collaborative Approach to Improve Safety and Security

Pennsylvania leaders have an active role to play in coordinating public and private efforts to improve the safety and security of Pennsylvania's extensive and complex railroad system.

Nov 24, 2008
Report

Pennsylvania's Rail System Will Require Collaborative Approach to Improve Safety and Security

Pennsylvania leaders have an active role to play in coordinating public and private efforts to improve the safety and security of Pennsylvania's extensive and complex railroad system.

Nov 10, 2008
Multimedia

The Arc: A Formal Structure For a Palestinian State

Building on analyses that RAND conducted between 2002 and 2004, this presentation explores the options for strengthening the physical infrastructure of a potential future independent Palestinian state.

Aug 26, 2008
Report

Report

Public Investment in Rail Capacity Expansion May Be Justified but Strategy Needed

The volume of freight transported in the United States is expected to double over the next 30 years. Greater use of rail freight could allow the supply chain to accommodate this increase while minimizing highway congestion and reducing fuel consumption.

Aug 4, 2008
News Release

News Release

RAND Study Provides Framework for Passenger-Rail Systems to Cost-Effectively Protect Riders from Terrorist Attacks

U.S. communities depend on reliable, safe, and secure rail systems, but such systems are vulnerable to terrorist attack. A framework developed for rail security planners and policymakers can help guide cost-effective plans to secure their rail systems from attacks.

Dec 11, 2007
Report

Report

A Framework for Planning Cost-Effective Rail Security Against a Terrorist Attack

U.S. communities depend on reliable, safe, and secure rail systems, but such systems are vulnerable to terrorist attack. A framework developed for rail security planners and policymakers can help guide cost-effective plans to secure their rail systems from attacks.

Dec 2, 2007

1
2
3
Next

RAND Topic:
Railway Transportation

Topic Synonyms:
Railroads;
Railways

Research conducted by