STRATEGIC RAIL NETWORK ISSUES. A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE. FINAL REPORT

This literature review was prepared for the National Rail Network Study in December 1991-January 1992. Its purpose was to familiarize the Steering Committee of the Study with the results of studies or initiatives which have been conducted in Canada, the United States and elsewhere which had similar objectives, or which provided results which would be relevant to the Committee's deliberations. The objective of the paper is to review studies which have: examined the strategic and/or national role of, and evaluated the need for, rail infrastructure; developed criteria which can be used to identify strategic or essential national linkages within rail freight and passenger networks; and documented the legislative and regulatory processes used to protect the public interest in rail infrastructure expansion and retention decisions.