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Model of Public Support for Railway Sidings as a Component of the Sustainable Development of Rail Freight Transport

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  • Lenka Černá

    (Faculty of Operation and Economics of Transport and Communications, University of Žilina, 010 26 Žilina, Slovakia)

  • Jaroslav Mašek

    (Faculty of Operation and Economics of Transport and Communications, University of Žilina, 010 26 Žilina, Slovakia)

Abstract

Rail freight transport represents a key tool for the decarbonisation and greening of logistics chains within the European Union. However, in many Central and Eastern European countries, including the Slovak Republic, a vast network of industrial sidings (rail spurs) remains underutilized or neglected. This reduces the overall efficiency of transport infrastructure and represents a missed opportunity for sustainable transport development. This paper proposes a comprehensive public support model for rail sidings. It combines legislative analysis, a tax incentive mechanism, and analytical evaluation of transport and investment benefits. The methodology calculates the potential transport output of reactivated sidings. It also introduces three quantitative indexes: the Siding Efficiency Index (IEV), the Comprehensive Importance Index (ICV), and the Reactivation Value Index (RVI). These indicators allow for a structured, objective assessment of siding suitability for restoration and public funding. We applied the model to a sample of five sidings in Slovakia, deriving values from expert evaluations. The results show that objective indicators, performance estimates, and targeted public support can identify infrastructure with high revitalization potential. These tools help reintegrate such assets into sustainable transport flows. The analysis indicates that reactivating 5% of existing sidings could shift hundreds of thousands of tonnes of freight annually from road to rail. This change would reduce emissions and improve network efficiency.

Suggested Citation

  • Lenka Černá & Jaroslav Mašek, 2025. "Model of Public Support for Railway Sidings as a Component of the Sustainable Development of Rail Freight Transport," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-22, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:17:p:7872-:d:1739754
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bing Li & Ce Yun & Guanglan Xu & Xiaoqian Zhou & Hua Xuan & Giulio E. Cantarella, 2022. "Optimization of Simultaneous Delivery and Pickup Wagon Scheme on Hybrid Siding Network of Railway Terminal," Discrete Dynamics in Nature and Society, Hindawi, vol. 2022, pages 1-17, May.
    2. Ondrej Stopka & Maria Stopkova & Rudolf Kampf, 2019. "Application of the Operational Research Method to Determine the Optimum Transport Collection Cycle of Municipal Waste in a Predesignated Urban Area," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-15, April.
    3. Kristijan Solina & Borna Abramović, 2022. "Effects of Railway Market Liberalisation: European Union Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-15, April.
    4. Adrián Šperka & Martin Vojtek & Jaromír Široký & Juraj Čamaj, 2020. "Improvement of the Last Mile-Specific Issues in Railway Freight Transport," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-18, December.
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