THE USE OF CONJOINT METHOD FOR ASSESSING THE RELEVANCE OF RAILWAY INVESTMENTS.

The article deals with designing and testing the use of conjoint analysis method, as one of the tool that provides information gathered within carrying out the exante evaluation of railway infrastructure investments. The authors point to a possible area of application of the method and its usefulness for policy-makers. The proposed method has been tested in empirical research, and the results confirmed the usefulness of the data that can be obtained through its use. Originality of undertaken subject arises from the fact that conjoint method has not been used as a component of ex ante evaluations of EU cofunded programmes, which focus on the railway sector investments. The use of the method may help to strengthen the synergy effects between planned to realize within broader programmes investments. The issue has important practical dimension resulting from intensified investments in the railway sector in the countries which benefit from EU cohesion policy’s funds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]