A review on Rail Transport in Europe and Italy

The paper describes the state of the art of passenger and freight rail transport in Italy and Europe taken into account market demand, consumption, emissions and costs. Present and future scenarios are analyzed (projections towards 2030 and 2050) to observe the evolution of rail transport and to evaluate how the demand for mobility will change and how the new development frontiers will impact pollution and economic management. Summarizing, the paper identifies the policies implemented to promote the railway sector and the existing limits to its development.