ESTIMATION AND ANALYSIS OF DEMAND STRUCTURE FOR THE RAIL TRANSPORT SECTOR IN IRAQ FOR THE PERIOD (1999-2016)

This study concerned the study and analysis of the demand function of the railway transport sector in Iraq and the factors influencing it. These factors influenced the numbers of passengers and the quantities of goods transported by them. It was found by estimating the demand analysis that the railway transport sector in Iraq suffers from a decline in the level of services provided passenger and cargo transport, due to the deterioration of infrastructure lines and units moving and lack of comfort, speed and safety in which factors, led the sector important loss in support of the national economy , And the reluctance of most passengers and owners of goods for the acquisition of this service in the mobility and transition to other modes of transport and then lost to compete with other means of transport. In the estimation of the demand function, the variables that should increase the number of passengers and the quantities of goods have a negative effect .Despite the increase in the size of the population, this increase did not increase the number of passengers and the quantities of goods. This indicates that the population does not want to purchase the railway mode. The speed of the train is very slow and does not meet the ambition. The reason for this is the footing and weariness of lines, trains, cars and trucks, as well as the lack of comfort and safety in that medium, making it a mode of expulsion rather than attracting individuals