Infrastructure investments in rail based systems, such as metro or regional railways, mainly are funded by public sector. Public sector spending needs justification before the tax payers. Traditional cost–benefit analysis is usually used to show the expected effects. However, results are often not satisfying as the expected benefit (user costs, travel time, emission, noise and safety) do not sufficiently cover the investments and operation costs in public transport projects. Effects on regional economy of the areas accessed such as increasing land value, follow up investments or increased consumption of users are usually not included in such analysis. The Institute of Transport Studies of the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BO KU) Vienna, Austria, participated in several research projects (Interreg, EU–framework programme, national) where empirical data of such effects were explored through ex post analysis. Reference projects investigated are the new main railway station of Linz (capital of Upper Austria) and metro line U3 in Vienna. Follow up investments were compared with reference areas to identify different developments. Interviews with stakeholders (shop keepers, investors, etc.) were carried out especially to identify the cause and effect chains. In the Linz case users of the transport systems were interviewed to identify their consumptions at the station. In the Viennese case, data of real estate market was accessible to analyse effects in price developments of offices, shops or apartments. The presentation will give an overview of these results. Results show, these effects are very relevant as basis for decision for rail based infrastructure investment and need to be considered more deeply in future planning. Therefore, the Institute currently develops a calculation model for infrastructure measures as planning tool including land value effects and employment effects.

transport planning, rail based transport, evaluation schemes, socio economic effects.