PROPOSED EXTERNAL RESEARCH PROJECTS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-04718A002600410060-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 15, 2001
• Sequence Number: 60
• Publication Date: August 5, 1955
• Content Type: MF

Approved'
pproved CON19
MORANFOR: Project Review Committee
55-5
SUBJECT: Proposed External Research Pro
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To obtain basic research data on Soviet transportation to provide
a basis for judgments, estimates, and conclusions to be checked against
past and future research projects.
2. Discussion:
a. The Transportation Branch of the Services Division, Office of
Research and Reports, is engaged in detailed economic research on the
capabilities, vulnerabilities and potential of the Soviet transportation
system. A large volume of unclassified data on the Soviet transportation
industry is available on this subject, but is not being exploited by
CIRR due to more pressing requirements for exploitation of classified
material.
b. a prominent economist who has specialized
in Soviet transportation policy, has been under contract to CIM in the
past to provide certain basic research in flilfil]mnt of C requirements
for information on Soviet transportation systems. initial
contract with the Agency, dated l June 1952, provided fo- coaopletion
and submittal of a manuscript entitled, "Soviet Railroad Policy". This
manuscript consisted of eleven chapters and covered major aspects of
railroad transportation in the USSR. This work bas been carefully re-
viewed in CRR and has become one of the primary reference sources for
information on Soviet transportation policies and capabilities.
25X1A5a1 c. has continued his research efforts in this field and
has prow to C~iB his note cards on which he records pertinent data
abstracted from various source materials. These note cards have proved
to be a valuable aid in the derivation of estimates of Soviet railroad
capabilities.
25X1A5a1 d. In discussion with this Office, has indicated a
willingness to add to his research four papers direct value to the
Transportation Branch, Services Division, Cwt, in fulfilling their
responsibility for operation and traffic in the USSR as assigned the
office by the EIC Subcommittee on Transportation. These studies and
a brief description follows:
(1) "Geography of Commodity Transportation"
This study would consist of a description of the geographic
pattern of the basic flow of individual commodity groups on the
-R-E CONFIDENTIAL
Approved For Release 2001/08/29 : CIA-RDP78-04718A002600410060-4
 Soviet transportation network. This would include a detailed
analysis of trends in freight flow and evaluation of the
significance of this data for the past and future.
(2) "Inter-Carrier Relations in Freight Transportation"
This study would consider the extent of joint freight movement
between major carriers and would include a detailed analysis
of factors promoting and hindering the transfer of freight
traffic between these carriers. The growth potential of
each major carrier would also be considered.
(3) "Growth Rates for Industrial Production and Freight Traffic"
This study would present an analysis of the relationships
between additional output and additional freight traffic
including analysis of individual co~nodity groups.
(b) "Transportation Investment and Capital Coefficients"
This study would make comparisons between additions to ton
kilometer output and would include analysis of additions to
roadway motive power and rolling stock of the railroad system.
Consideration would also be given to the intelligence impli-
cations of these comparisons with respect to future potential.
Certain of the basic research requirements in support of MM projects
in the field of Soviet transportation can be effectively and economically
obtained through. exploitation and research by
25X1A5a1
h. Re, t ton:
That approval be granted to ORR to obtain the services of
25X1A5a1
25X1A5a1
under a personal service contract for four (4) months at ?he rate
25X1A
of per month. ORR has included funds in the Fiscal Year 1956 Operating
er Allotment Account 6-5701-10 for contracts of this nature.
Approved For Release 200118 l*IDP7 (~ f '18 J, A4
Reports on the above subjects will provide much needed and heretofore
unavailable data in support of current CPR research projects.
3. Conclus_ ion:
APPROVED:
AUU 1QF
Assistant Director
Research and Reports
MALI
Approved For Release 2001/08/29 : CIA-RDP78-04718AO02600410060-4