The possible effects of railway transportation on the city economy: the case of Aksaray Province

Railway transportation systems are economical, safe, fast, comfortable and environmentally friendly features. Due to these characteristics, railroad transportation systems are a transportation infrastructure system which is in demand today on a global scale. In addition to providing great economic mobility in the cities, it has indirect effects. For this reason, it is a great opportunity for the city economies where it is or will be located. In this study, the effects of the railways on city economies were analyzed for Aksaray. In the study, the advantages and disadvantages of the railways are taken into consideration. It has been examined how the railways have an impact on selected countries and cities on a global scale. There are two existing railway infrastructure projects in the province of Aksaray. The first of these; Antalya-Konya-Aksaray-Nevsehir-Kayseri railway infrastructure project. The second is; Samsum-Merzifon-Çorum-Kırıkkale-Kırşehir-Aksaray-Ulukışla-Yenice-Adana-Mersin railway infrastructure project. The first railway project planned to be constructed between Antalya and Kayseri will be made as a high-speed train with passenger capacity. The second railway infrastructure project will be constructed as a high-speed train with burden and passenger capacity. The location and socio-economic structure of Aksaray province have been discussed in various aspects. The possible effects of a probable railway infrastructure on the city economy were investigated. While the research was carried out, the mentioned projects covering Aksaray province were taken into consideration in the mentioned cities. Considering the assumptions obtained in the study, it is expected that a share of 40% to 63% of the transportation sector in the city will belong to railway transportation. A general increase in the demand for travel in the city can be expressed. It is expected that an increase of between 33% and 43% can occur in business trips. Aksaray province with a possible rail system; It is among our possible assumptions that 20% increase in general employment rate, 30% in agricultural sector, 40% in industrial sector and 50% in service sector. Based on the possible increases that we expect to occur in the sectors, it is concluded that the GDP of Aksaray province can be increased by approximately 35%. As a result of the research in general; It is concluded that if a possible railway line is built to Aksaray province, the city economy can be positively affected by the railway line.