A rail transport system is deemed in most countries a prerequisite for the overall economic development and, in this respect, considerable resources are allocated especially towards the railway installation and improvement, but also for the human resources system efficiency and optimization. Railways usually have an asset value that makes up a significant part of the national wealth and the rail sub-sector should bring a significant contribution to the GDP. It is therefore important and appropriate that this asset be managed professionally and that an increasing number of railway professionals are now encouraged to get involved in this activity. To clarify the impact transport has on the economy, several important research directions also strongly intercorrelated had been laid out in this paper: economic development, material goods production and distribution, influence on prices.