Enhancing Accessibility of Rail Baltica Influence Area: Standpoints of Public Sector
Laisi, Milla; Henttu, Ville; Hilmola, Olli-Pekka
Lappeenranta University of Technology
The research had four main objectives. It examined the public sectors’ viewpoints towards Rail Baltica alignment and evaluated the potential and need for it. Furthermore, the aim was to clarify the overall attitude towards Rail Baltica, and to research the decision-making processes in case countries.
The study’s empirical section was conducted in two parts. Firstly, the viewpoints of public sector (including representatives from cities, municipalities, governments, incumbent railway undertakings and associations) were unfolded utilizing semi-structured theme interviews. Interviews were conducted in six different countries: Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Germany. Additionally, several European Union officers were met in order to gain an extensive image of the subject. Secondly, an Internet-based questionnaire was sent to all interviewees. The research provided novel data by unfolding the information, which has not been studied before in Rail Baltica context.
