السكك الحديدية السورية دراسة مقارنة مع شبكات السكك العربية والعالمية

Abstract

Syria is potentially an ideal country for railway operations. A large proportion of the population and economic activities is concentrated on a North – South and east – west axis. The distances between major cities are generally those for which rail is most competitive on inter–city passenger and freight transport services. The railway network services connect: • Production centers with consumption centers (domestic transport). • Production centers with export gates to Iraq, Turkey, Ports of Tartous and Lattakia and Syrian Free Zones. • Consumption and manufacturing centers with import gates (Iraq, Turkey, Ports of Tartous and Lattakia). • Transit corridors particularly the north-south corridor from Turkey (and beyond) to Iraq and west-east corridor from the Syrian Ports to Iraq (2 directions for both corridors). • In the future, Jordan and Lebanon will be connected to the Syrian Railway Network. Syria and its neighboring Middle East countries have been engaged in constructive discussions, within the framework of "Director General Middle East organization" (DGMO), to connect their railway networks and to improve the rail transport services between these countries. DGMO consists of Syria, Iran, Turkey, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Other Arab Gulf states, Central Asian countries, Pakistan, Afghanistan and India are not members yet, but in the future their railway networks will be linked to the DGMO members’ railway networks after the development of DGMO’ network. It's important for Syria to develop its railway network in order to serve international railway transport along main regional routes.