Integrating social sustainability in double track railway expansion; a closer look at decision making and stakeholder dynamics in a Swedish context

Abstract

The expansion of railway infrastructure is a central component of sustainable mobility strategies, yet the integration of social sustainability into such projects remains underdeveloped in Sweden. Despite the potential for railway investments to foster accessibility, inclusion, and quality of life, these aspects are often overshadowed by economic and environmental priorities. This study aims to investigate how decision- making processes and stakeholder dynamics influence the integration of social sustainability in double-track railway expansion projects between large and medium sized cities in Sweden. Anchored in Social Impact Assessment (SIA), stakeholder theory, and Arnstein’s Ladder of Participation, this research examines two case studies: the Gothenburg-Trollhättan and Ängelholm-Maria projects. Data were collected through document analysis and semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, including transport agencies, contractors, and consultants. The findings reveal that while social impacts such as accessibility and daily life improvements are recognized, their prioritization is often reactive and lacks coherence, largely dependent on individual actors, champions, rather than systematic frameworks. Decision-making processes tend to emphasize economic feasibility, with consultation processes frequently limited to informing or consultation levels on Arnstein’s ladder, thus marginalizing deeper forms of citizen influence. The study concludes that the absence of formalized SIA frameworks in Sweden hinders the proactive integration of social sustainability in railway infrastructure projects. It recommends the development of standardized SIA guidelines to strengthen social outcomes in future projects