MPC Research Reports
Report Details

Title:	The National Short Line Railroad Database Project, 1995-1996
Authors:	Douglas Benson and Trent Byberg
University:	North Dakota State University
Publication Date:	Jun 1996
Report #:	MPC-96-63
Project #:	MPC-111
TRID #:	00730683
Keywords:	data analysis, data collection, electronic equipment, mathematical analysis, short line railroads, software

Abstract

The objective of this project was to create a central database containing information representing the American short line railroad industry. The project continues and expands the initial effort to establish the database. In this report, processes involved with obtaining, developing, and maintaining the information in the database are discussed. Several data analysis procedures used to help ensure the integrity of the data are addressed. The second annual American Short Line Railroad Association Data Profile for the 1994 calendar year is also presented in the paper. Further information extracted and comparisons made during the analysis process are described in detail.

Discussions on the development of the paper survey and an electronic survey for the third annual data profile for the 1995 calendar year are also presented. The design and implementation of the electronic survey software package are reviewed in detail. The final process presented is the distribution and collection of the 1995 electronic and paper surveys.

Related Reports

The following reports are listed by publication date in reverse chronological order.

• [Final Report] The National Short Line Railroad Database Project, 1996-1997
• [Final Report] American Short Line Railroad Database: Project Report and 1993 Data Analysis