On the modal shift from motorway to high-speed rail: evidence from Italy

Abstract

Institute of Applied Economics (IREA) in Barcelona was founded in 2005, as a research institute in applied economics. Three consolidated research groups make up the institute: AQR, RISK and GiM, and a large number of members are involved in the Institute. IREA focuses on four priority lines of investigation: (i) the quantitative study of regional and urban economic activity and analysis of regional and local economic policies, (ii) study of public economic activity in markets, particularly in the fields of empirical evaluation of privatization, the regulation and competition in the markets of public services using state of industrial economy, (iii) risk analysis in finance and insurance, and (iv) the development of micro and macro econometrics applied for the analysis of economic activity, particularly for quantitative evaluation of public policies. IREA Working Papers often represent preliminary work and are circulated to encourage discussion. Citation of such a paper should account for its provisional character. For that reason, IREA Working Papers may not be reproduced or distributed without the written consent of the author. A revised version may be available directly from the author. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and not those of IREA. Research published in this series may include views on policy, but the institute itself takes no institutional policy positions.

Rail policies in Turkey after 2002: Is there a modal shift?

“…On the Ankara-Eskisehir route, for example, the number of passengers carried annually has decreased from 208,780 (8%) to 49,275 (2%) (TMTMC, 2013, p. 80). In light of this and other evidence, e.g., Borsati and Albalate (2020) and Givoni and Dobruszkes (2013), it is reasonable to conclude that HSR has contributed to the decline in conventional rail ridership in Turkey since its introduction. On the positive side, this increases the capacity of conventional rail networks for freight trains.…”

“…Most HSR passengers previously used conventional rail, and mode substitution from aircraft, cars, and coaches to HSR is modest. Borsati and Albalate's (2020) findings show that neither HSR openings nor the opening of on-track competition led to a modal shift from the motorway to HSR services. Conversely, HSR expansion had a slightly positive impact on motorway traffic.…”

Competitive tendering for rail track capacity: The liberalization of railway services in Spain

“…Competitive travel times made possible by the high-speed infrastructure and cheaper fares have led to high-speed services reaching a modal share of over 80% (against aviation below 20%) on the most popular routes in Italy (Milan–Rome), but also in France (Paris–Marseille), where no competition exists yet. However, it has been observed that high-speed services have not attracted a substantial number of private car users in Italy (Borsati & Albalate, 2019), and in France car-pooling is actually detracting passengers from high-speed services.…”

Competitive Tendering for Rail Track Capacity: The Liberalization of Railway Services in Spain

“…Competitive travel times made possible by the high-speed infrastructure and cheaper fares have led to high-speed services reaching a modal share over 80% (against aviation below 20%) on the most popular routes in Italy (Milan-Rome), but also in France (Paris-Marseille), where no competition exists yet. It has been observed, however, that high-speed services have not attracted a substantial number of private car users in Italy (Borsati & Albalate, 2019), and in France car-pooling is actually detracting passengers from high-speed services (Montero, 2019).…”