Reports 15 Oct 2015

The economic footprint of railway transport in Europe

This report analyses the economic footprint of railway transport in the European Union, namely the economic impact of railway transport in terms of gross value added, employment, exports and other key economic variables. 

The report provides estimates of the economic size of the rail sector, namely directly generated gross value added and employment as well as estimates of indirectly generated gross value added and employment (i.e. through upstream supplier effects or infrastructure investments). 

The wider economic benefits of railway infrastructure projects are then discussed, i.e. how enhanced transport possibilities contribute in terms of agglomeration impacts and in terms of more effective labour and product markets. These wider economic effects are illustrated by the presentation of four case studies: two on high-speed rail (Paris-Lyon-Marseilles, and Milan-Rome), one on rail passenger stations (Manchester Piccadilly Station), and one on rail freight (rail shuttle system for the Port of Gothenburg). 

A further chapter provides an overview of the competitiveness and innovation impacts of rail transport – including the role of Europe’s rail supply industry.

The remaining chapters provide summary information on the social & employment aspects of the rail sector (including information on vocational training schemes) – and a snapshot of key indicators on rail’s environmental and safety performance.