Privatization versus public works for high-speed rail projects
Journal
Transportation Research Record
Journal Issue
2159
Pages
18-26
Date Issued
2010
Author(s)
Abstract
With its virtues of high speed, large capacity, reduced levels of energy consumption, and low levels of pollution, high-speed rail (HSR) is emerging as an attractive transportation system. Because of the large investment burden required for HSR projects and the inefficiency of government-sponsored public works projects, many countries are now turning to the alternative of privatizing their HSR projects. The present research evaluates the success of privatized versus public HSR projects by comparing the outcomes for the Taiwan high-speed rail (THSR) project and the South Korean high-speed rail (KHSR) project. Except for the project delivery method (privatized versus public works), these two projects had similar project scopes and objectives and had parallel execution times. The results of the study indicate that a privatized HSR project such as THSR has a better likelihood of achieving traditional project management success in terms of time, cost, and quality; however, a government-sponsored HSR project such as KHSR could successfully promote the national HSR industry.
SDGs
Other Subjects
Energy consumption; High speed; High speed rail; High-speed rail projects; Low level; Parallel executions; Project delivery method; Project management success; Project scope; Public works project; Transportation system; Energy utilization; Investments; Privatization; Public works; Railroad transportation; Speed; Project management
Type
journal article