Research Reports
Report Details
Abstract
The Oakes to Independence line segment (the Independence Line) has been analyzed using North Dakota's rail-line benefit-cost model which has been employed in previous studies. The methodology has been reviewed and accepted by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). It was updated in 1992 so that the analysis period, discount rate, and treatment of project costs were consistent with the new FRA benefit-cost procedures. The benefit-cost methodology is described in Appendix C. Only the major assumptions, costing techniques, and results are included in this report.
The analysis was performed by the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute (UGPTI) using Data provided by the Red River Valley and Western Railroad and transportation statistics maintained by the UGPTI. Using a discount rate of four percent, the overall benefit cost ratio for the project is 0.34. The analysis has shown that the project cost outlay will not be recovered in the next ten years.
View Report