High-speed rail networks, capacity investments and social welfare
In this paper, we analytically study the performance of two topologies of high-speed rail (HSR) networks: isolated-corridors and grid networks. We evaluate how HSR configuration affects capacity of newly developed infrastructure, profits and social welfare by considering a number of factors, namely economies of traffic density, market size, operating cost and cost of capital. Our investigations focus on a social welfare-maximizing entity which provides HSR train services as well as develops infrastructure.