Abstract (Translated):
The present work discusses the main economical and institutional problems that involve the Brazilian railway system. Firstly, we characterize the segment, presenting the main concepts and a short overview of Brazilian railways, it's history and managing institutions. Next, we present a short analysis of the main laws which regulate the sector, along with a discussion about the economic aspects of the concession contracts celebrated upon the rail structure. Then, we describe the financing model for this segment as well as the investments it's received-public as well as private-for expanding and operating. Afterwards, we present the major infra-structural demands, consolidating the Mapeamento Ipea de Obras Ferroviárias, followed by an analysis of how has the government program, Programa de Aceleração do Crescimento (PAC), been impacting over those needs. And finally, we describe the general results of our analysis.