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Railroad Operational Performance in the United States

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  • Tolliver, Denver
  • Bitzan, John
  • Benson, Doug

Abstract

This paper examines the effects of increased car weights, train size, and distance on railroad operational performance, which is measured in revenue ton-miles per train hour. A statistical model is estimated from Class I data that explains most of the variation in this index, while controlling for commodity and fixed network effects. The results suggest that length of haul, net load, and train size contributed significantly to performance gains from 1987 to 2006. However, train miles per track mile increased by 89% during the same period, resulting in line and yard congestion.

Suggested Citation

  • Tolliver, Denver & Bitzan, John & Benson, Doug, 2010. "Railroad Operational Performance in the United States," Journal of the Transportation Research Forum, Transportation Research Forum, vol. 49(3).
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:ndjtrf:207196
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.207196
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    File URL: https://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/207196/files/2586-5326-1-PB.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ernst Berndt & Ann Friedlaender & Judy Chiang & Christopher Vellturo, 1993. "Cost effects of mergers and deregulation in the U.S. Rail industry," Journal of Productivity Analysis, Springer, vol. 4(1), pages 127-144, June.
    2. Lee, Tenpao & Baumel, C. Phillip, 1987. "The Cost of Structure of the U.S. Railroad Industry Under Deregulation," Staff General Research Papers Archive 11685, Iowa State University, Department of Economics.
    3. John D. Bitzan & Theodore E. Keeler, 2003. "Productivity Growth and Some of Its Determinants in the Deregulated U.S. Railroad Industry," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 70(2), pages 232-253, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Abdullah Al-Hadi, Azrina & Peoples, James, 2016. "Input Price Effect on Productivity Gains in the United States Railroad Industry," Jurnal Ekonomi Malaysia, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, vol. 50(2), pages 3-14.

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