The Economic and Energy Impact of Slow Orders in Slovakia on Railway Operators

This paper looks at the current state of the railways in Slovakia and the economic losses which result from trains passing through locations with an increased incidence of sections of line with slow orders imposed. A calculation of time and financial losses due to a high number of slow order sections will be performed. We shall also focus in more detail on the development and related financing of Railways of the Slovak Republic (ŽSR) and make a number of comparisons with some neighbouring countries. Attention will also be paid to the actual status of completed and unrealised projects in the most recent period, exploring the reasons behind project delays and cancellations. The paper will also calculate how individual train journeys along slow order sections translate into actual operation. The actual impacts on railway operators will also be examined in terms of economics, time, and energy, with an emphasis on the sustainability of current practices and potential areas for improvement.