U.S. Freight Rail Economics and Policy: Are We on the Right Track?

The Staggers Rail Act of 1980 brought a renaissance to the freight rail industry, but economists' attention to it faded over time. This book provides fresh and up-to-date analyses of economic issues and policy challenges, covering the context, role in an interrelated economy, industry structure and scope, and regulatory challenges. It is valuable for researchers, academics, policymakers, and students interested in freight rail economics and policy, transportation, business history, and regulatory economics.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 300 pages
Publication date: 31 March 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The Staggers Rail Act of 1980 marked a significant turning point for the freight rail industry, ushering in a period of revitalization and innovation. In the decade that followed, economists diligently studied the Act's impact on various economic indicators, including prices, costs, and productivity. However, as the industry regained stability, attention from economists waned, and the industry's ongoing economic and policy challenges were often overlooked. This volume seeks to rectify this oversight by presenting a collection of ten chapters organized into four sections, each offering fresh and comprehensive analyses of the economic issues and policy challenges facing the freight rail industry. The first section provides a foundational discussion of freight rail, setting the stage for the subsequent chapters. The second section highlights the crucial role of freight rail in today's interconnected economy, emphasizing its importance in facilitating the movement of goods and services. The third section delves into the industry's structure and scope, examining the various players and their roles within the freight rail sector. Finally, the fourth section assesses the current regulatory challenges that the freight rail industry faces, including issues related to competition, safety, and environmental sustainability. This book is an invaluable resource for researchers, academics, policymakers, and students interested in freight rail economics and policy, transportation, business history, and regulatory economics. Its comprehensive and up-to-date coverage of the industry's economic and policy landscape will undoubtedly contribute to the ongoing development of this vital sector.

Weight: 567g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367786465