I'm not really sure the difference in rail verses road travel time is that significant. All I know is there was a Palmer-Anchorage commuter rail at one time. They had diesel rail cars specially built for it in the 1930's and they were upgraded over time, In fact the small, light and very fuel efficient units provided inexpensive daily service daily service throughout the rail-belt until the early 90's. I used them as often as I could. The studies, if provided by ARR, probably reflect their bias toward industrial rail. They do have such as bias, I don't think it is entirely true all passenger services are money losers but millions get around this way daily worldwide. The state already subsidizes ARR but for industrial services not citizen services.