Railways, energy and environment (English)

This paper addresses the question whether rail transport should be preferred over road-based modes because of its superior environmental characteristics, presumed to exist because rail is more energy efficient than road modes and uses, or can use, less... See More + This paper addresses the question whether rail transport should be preferred over road-based modes because of its superior environmental characteristics, presumed to exist because rail is more energy efficient than road modes and uses, or can use, less polluting forms of energy. The paper examines the considerations which determine the relative energy intensity of modes, the other cost and quality factors that determine the economic choice of mode, and the environmental consequences. The paper concludes that there is no good case for a global preference for rail investments independent of determining net economic effect, which can only be calculated on a case-by-case basis. Consequently, the World Bank should avoid railway investments which do not attract traffic and are as such uneconomic and environmentally useless, and continue to concentrate on securing the institutional reforms necessary to fully realize the potential of rail transport, including its benefit for the environment.  See Less -