Source: International Union of Railways, http://www.uic.asso.fr

World Rail Passengers Traffic, 1980-2002

Passengers rail transportation demand has not grown much over the last 20 years, with most of the growth attributed to Asia. Rail transport has been the object of intense competition both from road (average distances ) and air (long distance) transport. For instance, its passengers function in North America is residual while Western Europe has focused on the development of high speed passengers rail systems.

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