The JASPERS Guidance on Appraising the Economic Impacts of Rail Freight Measures (2017) provides a structured framework for conducting cost–benefit analysis of rail freight investments. It classifies projects by demand and expected impact, ranging from local upgrades to major infrastructure developments. The methodology applies a social CBA approach, comparing a baseline scenario with the project case to estimate net economic benefits. Key benefits include travel time savings, operating cost reductions, reliability improvements, and modal shift from road to rail. The guidance also emphasizes wider economic impacts such as agglomeration and supply chain efficiency. It highlights the importance of freight-specific modelling, including logistics chains and terminal operations, while noting challenges in demand forecasting and data limitations. The framework supports consistent, evidence-based decision-making for rail freight investments.
