A feasibility study for a sustainable public transit railway network

Abstract

Due to the increasing population and number of cars for a small and limited space country, Lebanon is facing a major traffic congestion problem. The Lebanese Ministry of Interior Affairs has reported that there exist 1.8 million cars in Lebanon, whereas its total population is around 4 million. According to a report of the Lebanese Ministry of Environment, each car emits 4,500 kg of pollutant gas per year, totaling to 8.1 billion kg of air pollutants per year. On the other hand, the Lebanese government is unable to face this major problem and find a sustainable solution for its air environment quality. This research proposes public transportation as a sustainable solution. The main objective of this research is to perform an economic feasibility study using Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) method of a railway network linking Tripoli to Beirut cities. Two alternatives are proposed: Alternative (1): an underground subway line; and Alternative (2) an aboveground railway line. The LCCA applies the Benefit to Cost (B/C) ratio for governmental projects in order to evaluate the two alternatives. The economic evaluation advises that both alternatives are feasible; however Alternative (2) is preferred and more profitable. A sensitivity analysis is also performed in order to evaluate the effect of uncertainties of benefits, costs and discount rate on the decision. It is observed that changes in the Benefits significantly change the B/C ratio, while the Alternative (2) remains feasible. This research is relevant and important to the Lebanese government.