The applicability of Cooperative Game Theory in Rail Freight Corridors Framework

EU policymakers have introduced the concept of Rail Freight Corridors for competitive freight transport to optimise cross-border rail traffic and increase its competitiveness. The backbone of this concept is introducing an integrated corridor management approach based on close and strategic cooperation in addressing various obstacles that hinder rail freight transport. Even after more than ten years since its introduction, although some progress has been made, strong coordination and cooperation between stakeholders along the corridors still need to be improved. It is most evident in the areas where national interest in decision-making prevails. Although setting national interests before the corridor objectives violates the approach toward integrated governance of corridors, the existing legal framework does not contain any instruments to regulate and prevent it. The paper addresses this question by introducing the cooperative game theory as a potential tool for re-designing the EU policy framework to improve the international cooperation of countries along the corridor.