Feasibility Study and Cost Analysis of Electrification for a Non-electrified Railway Line

The strong environmental commitment is pushing rapidly towards a complete de-carbonisation of industrial processes. The energy market is in continuous evolution, especially in the most recent years, with always increasing energy costs. This influences also the transportation sector. The aim of this paper is to provide a feasibility study and cost analysis regarding the whole electrification process of an already existing railway line. This work wants to analyse in details the process from the point of view of the railway owner. In particular, a focus is set on installation and maintenance costs of the electrical traction system and the evaluation of the investment payback time, depending on the potential increase in passengers per day. The analysis helps to understand how the situation of the framework will evolve in few decades from now, according to some assumptions. Finally, some Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are identified, and their comparison is used to assess the best alternatives. Two already existing non-electrified railway lines in Italy have been considered as case studies, located in Northern Italy, which are Pavia - Casalpusterlengo and Parma - San Zeno.