Keywords: high-speed rail, cost-benefit analysis, net present value, Egypt.

In order to evaluate the economy and rationality for the development of high-speed railway (HSR), and to construct evaluation and method, we generalize, analyze and then classify the costs and benefits involved in HSR construction and operation period; methods based on cost-benefit analysis. The study of the opportunities for HSR in developing and emerging countries has approved a funding of Euro 2.94 billion to build the proposed Cairo- Assyut line in Egypt. A HSR system could have a number of operational and environmental benefits. HSR is a break-through technology that allows trains to run at speeds over 200 km/h. The most controversial part of the HSR investment is whether its cost could be compensated by the social benefits. The results show that the project has a positive net present value (NPV) up to Euro 141.65 million and achieves about 21.52% internal rate of return. However, applying a broader cost benefit analysis to include all sources of benefits shows that it is highly desirable on an economic basis. Although there was extreme difficulty in collecting the required data and information, plausible and coherent results were achieved, which are also seen to be consistent with other results of HSR in Europe.

purchase the full-text of this paper (price £20)

go to the previous paper
go to the next paper
return to the table of contents
return to the book description
purchase this book (price £65 +P&P)