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on Transport Economics |
| By: | Abdelaziz Mahrez (Sohar univeristy); Sami Said Al Wahibi (Sohar University) |
| Abstract: | The transport sector is having a great attention from governments around the world, especially because of the increasing population, its importance and its necessity for community life. Recently, many countries in the Middle East have turned their attention towards developing and improving their public transport systems, as problems such as traffic congestions in cities, low mobility and high individual costs of transport. This study aims to assess and understand the public’s perception about the situation of the existing transport services in the Sultanate of Oman and indentifies the reasons or ways to boost this sector. The findings of this study showed a positive response from the citizens about public transport and its use. The unavailability of suitable modes of public transport options, their inadequacy in terms of numbers and frequency, and the low level of people’s exposure and awareness of different transport modes have constrained people to use personal vehicles. There is a growing need to introduce newer public transport services in Oman and bolster these services as well as the existing infrastructure to stimulate economic development, increase road safety, and to combat environmental problems. It is recommended to develop innovative solutions and awareness programs to increase individual and collective consciousness about public transport and to encourage people to adopt and use public transport. |
| Keywords: | Public transport,Public Perception, Oman transport |
| Date: | 2014–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sek:iacpro:0100384&r=tre |
| By: | Nilsson, Jan-Eric (VTI); Svensson , Kristin (Dalarna University); Haraldsson, Mattias (The Swedish Energy Agency) |
| Abstract: | Using a large set of data, including age, pavement type, traffic etc., on sections of the road network, this paper sets out to assess the marginal cost of using the road infrastructure. It suggests a strategy for identifying major differences in marginal costs across the road network, and provides evidence that not only heavy vehicles but also cars contribute to road quality deterioration. The hypothesis is that this is due to the widespread use of studded tires in countries with regular freeze-thaw cycles. No indication of deterioration due to time per se is found. |
| Keywords: | Marginal costs; Wear and tear; Road reinvestment; Weibull model |
| JEL: | R40 |
| Date: | 2015–03–23 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhs:ctswps:2015_005&r=tre |
| By: | Habibi, Shiva (KTH); Beser Hugosson, Muriel (KTH); Sundbergh , Pia (Trafa); Algers, Staffan (KTH) |
| Abstract: | Early 2014, an official Swedish government investigation report (FFF-report) was released proposing a policy package to promote a Fossil Free Fleet in Sweden by 2050. One objective of this policy package is to design a bonus-malus system that pushes the Swedish fleet composition towards the EU objectives of the average CO2 emissions of 95 g/km for new cars by 2021. The proposed scenarios address cars bought by private persons as well as by companies. These scenarios differ in designs for registration tax, vehicle circulation tax, clean car premiums, company car benefits tax and fuel tax. We use the Swedish car fleet model system to predict the effects of the proposed scenarios on the Swedish car fleet composition. Also, we build a simple supply model to predict future supply. Our model results show that none of the three proposed scenarios is actually successful enough to meet the Swedish average CO2 emissions target of 95 g/km in 2020. The average CO2 emissions in two of these scenarios are actually higher than in the business as usual scenario. Relative to a business as usual scenario the number of ethanol and gas cars is reduced in the other scenarios which are negative results in terms of fossil fuel independence. Also, the bonus-malus system gives a positive net result in terms of budget effects showing that car buyers choose to pay the malus for a car with higher emissions rather than to be attracted by the bonus of a car with lower emissions. |
| Keywords: | Bonus-malus; CO2 emission policies; Car fleet modeling; Vehicle supply model |
| JEL: | R40 |
| Date: | 2015–03–23 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhs:ctswps:2015_006&r=tre |
| By: | Amer Alsaleh (Kuwait University) |
| Abstract: | The study has revealed the pattern and trends of motor traffic accidents in Kuwait City from 2010 to 2011. It shows that the accident occurrence was increasing every year, passengers and pedestrians are always at highest risk of being injured or killed on the road, young males are highly prone to motor traffic accidents. The study has also identified qualitatively (by interviews) that the technical element of the highway construction, irresponsibility, poor management, cell phones, alcohol and drugs, age of the victims and poor condition of services as the important risk factors associating to the cause of traffic accidents in Kuwait. In order to reduce traffic accidents in Kuwait City, it is recommended that the government should review legislation regarding employment of drivers. Working conditions of police force should be improved, public road safety campaigns should be conducted, and new driving license system should be imposed. The use of cell phones while driving should be restricted. The hospital and police record keeping should be strengthened, the hospital staff, traffic police and ambulance personnel should be considered for intensive training on emergency and preparedness, and regular vehicle inspection should be introduced in Kuwait City. |
| Keywords: | Traffic accidents-Risk theory-System theory-Triangulation method |
| Date: | 2014–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sek:iacpro:0100696&r=tre |
| By: | Brigitta Palatinus (University of Debrecen Faculty of Applied Economics and Rural Development) |
| Abstract: | From June 2012 continuous scheduled air services have begun at the Debrecen International Airport between the destinations London-Luton and Debrecen, which is a milestone on the increase of passenger numbers. Thanks to the new WizzAir flight route the airport’s passenger traffic and the number of the city visitors started to increase in the last year, moreover in the future further growth is expected. My research’s goal is to prove the fact that the improvement of customer service ensures the growth of foreign passengers arriving in town. Currently the Debrecen International Airport has WizzAir flights scheduled weekly between London-Luton – Debrecen and between Eindhoven- Debrecen. The studied people are foreign passengers spending a certain amount of days in Debrecen. It should be emphasized that there are no secondary data about the demographic composition of passengers at the Debrecen International Airport.Customer service research of passengers arriving to or travelling via Airport Debrecen needs a process structure which contains every service used by the passengers from their arrival to the airport – and previously buying tickets, gathering information about the city, then housing and dining services, transport etc. – until departure.A process structure like this allows us to carry out a benchmarking method to compare other cities passenger service. To build up a structure we have to make segmentation according to the traveler’s motivation because they use different services according to their motivation.An important starting point for the research is to determine what kind of services do the visitors of Debrecen use.Process structure development is based on a questionnaire aiming to measure passenger segmentation and satisfaction, so it is the results of the data analysis gained from the questionnaires. The questionnaires’ target is to gain information about the features of the passengers arriving to and departing from the Debrecen International Airport and to examine their satisfaction regarding the services used while staying in Debrecen. First part of the questionnaire included questions about the visitors and their motivations, the second part required information about the evaluation of the services used.On the poster I introduce the conclusions and the results gained in the course of the semi-annual investigating period. |
| Keywords: | customer service, satisfaction, airport, process |
| Date: | 2014–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sek:iacpro:0702412&r=tre |
| By: | Martin Combrinck (North-West University); Jeannie Govender (KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport) |
| Abstract: | Road safety is of paramount importance to all governments worldwide. This is also the case in South Africa where the fatality rates on South African roads are very high. Every 48 minutes, a person is killed on these roads. There are different approaches that one can take to address this problem. One such an approach is to include a road safety education programme in the school curriculum. The purpose of this study was to investigate the implementation of a road safety education programme in five primary schools in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. This was done by using a qualitative research methodology. The curriculum orientation for social adaptation and social reconstruction was used as a theoretical framework. Data was collected by means of a semi-structured questionnaire for teachers, classroom observations and questionnaires for learners. The findings suggested that the current approach to road safety education in schools can be improved through the adoption of a more concerted and coordinated approach. From the data it is evident that many schools do not see the importance of a road safety programme in the curriculum and schools implement such programmes at the discretion of the school management and if they can find space in their time table. Although this was a limited qualitative study it still has value for a wider audience because it provides us with valuable insights about the development and implementation of a road safety programme in a national school curriculum. |
| Keywords: | Curriculum development, social curriculum, road safety curriculum |
| JEL: | I29 |
| Date: | 2014–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sek:iacpro:0200278&r=tre |
| By: | MK CHING (HKCC) |
| Abstract: | This study aims to investigate passengers’ expected and perceived service and quality satisfaction of the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) as the overall quality perceived would affect the number of future travelers to Hong Kong. After determining a list of known factors affecting airport service quality, passengers’ satisfaction survey was carried out at the main entrances and exits of the HKIA. Based on the collected data, a passenger satisfaction rating was compiled reflecting the users’ perceived level of satisfaction of the HKIA. Apart from identifying the most important factors on airport service quality, it was also shown that there was significant difference in rating importance by different demographic factor. |
| Keywords: | Airport, service, quality satisfaction, passengers' perception |
| JEL: | L91 |
| Date: | 2014–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sek:iacpro:0201722&r=tre |
| By: | Abdul Hafaz Ngah (Politeknik Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah); Yuserrie Zainuddin (Universiti Malaysia Pahang); Ramayah Thurasamy (Universiti Sains Malaysia) |
| Abstract: | The increasing demand for Halal products by Muslim consumers due to their religious obligation has created new services known as the Halal transportation services. These services are specially designed to meet the demand from the Halal manufacturers to maintain the integrity of their Halal products. However, the adoption of the halal transportation services in Malaysia is relatively low. By adopting the TOE framework, this study will try to identify the enablers influencing and barriers impeding the Halal manufacturers from adopting the Halal transportation services. Using the systematic sampling method, data was gathered from 140 participants of the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2013. The Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) approach was used to test the relationship between the research model construct. The findings show that perceived benefits, organizational readiness, customer pressure and competitive pressure are significant enablers for the adoption decision. Meanwhile, the complexity was found as a barrier to the adoption and government support was found to be a not significant factor to the adoption of Halal transportation. The findings, besides presenting the suitability of PLS in statistical analysis, have also provided useful information to a better understanding regarding the enablers and barriers to the adoption of Halal transportation services. Halal service providers and government agencies which are related to the Halal services could use the findings to make a proper plan in enhancing the adoption of Halal services among Halal industry players. The limitation, implication and suggestion for future research are also discussed. |
| Keywords: | Halal transportation ; enablers to adoption, barriers to the adoption ; Halal Manufacturers inMalaysia; TOE framework, PLS |
| Date: | 2014–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sek:iacpro:0100328&r=tre |
| By: | Mikołaj Czajkowski (Faculty of Economic Sciences, University of Warsaw); Marek Giergiczny (Faculty of Economic Sciences, University of Warsaw); Jakub Kronenberg (Faculty of Economics and Sociology, University of Lodz); Jeffrey Englin (Morrison School of Agribusiness, Arizona State University) |
| Abstract: | The treatment of the opportunity cost of travel time in travel cost models has been an area of research interest for many decades. This analysis develops a methodology to combine the travel distance and travel time data with respondent-specific estimates of the value of travel time savings. The individual travel time values are elicited with the use of discrete choice stated preference methods. The travel time valuation procedure is integrated into the valuation exercise to create a two equation structural model of site valuation. Since the travel time equation of the structural model incorporates individual preference heterogeneity full structural model provides a travel cost site demand model based upon individualized values of time. The methodology is illustrated in a study of recreational birdwatching, more specifically, visits to a stork village in Poland. We show that the usual practice of basing respondents’ value of travel time savings on their wage rate is largely unfounded. |
| Keywords: | contingent valuation, stated preference, validity, incentive compatibility |
| JEL: | Q26 Q51 Q57 |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:war:wpaper:2015-12&r=tre |
| By: | Erik Davtyan (Yerevan State University) |
| Abstract: | The role of infrastructures has always been appreciated by the leading powers of the world while pursuing their own goals in the global policy-making process. Though the level of infrastructural development was not so high (in comparison with that of nowadays), in almost all periods of human history states have shared a prominent interest in preserving a total control over infrastructures and undermining the influences of their enemies on them. For example, the Silk road has always been a trouble point in international relations of the Middle East, as it played a key role in regional wars between the Roman Empire and Persia, Byzantium and Arab Caliphate, Ottoman Empire and Safavid Persia.Taking into consideration the fact that the evolution of the world society, the progress in high technologies, the diversification and intensification of economic, political and financial relations have increased the importance of infrastructures, the research is concentrated on the impact of hard types of infrastructure on international relations in one of the most complicated regions of the world, South Caucasus. The point is that transport, energy and water management infrastructures have always played a key role in the formulation of foreign strategies of Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan. The dislocation of various types of infrastructure has highly influenced the level of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan. Sometimes the economic and political relations of South Caucasian republics with the neighboring states (i.e. Russia, Turkey and Iran) have been conditioned by the “quantity†and the “quality†of infrastructural development that Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan possessed.Therefore the research aims at investigating impact of regional infrastructures on regional affairs in the post-Soviet era, simultaneously drawing parallels with the pre-Soviet period, i.e. during the existence of independent regimes in Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan (1918-1921). The immense progress in high technologies has had a prominent impact on the factor of communications in the national security concepts of the region. Thus, the struggle for “more infrastructures†becomes more and more important in the context of geopolitical terms, therefore the struggle “through infrastructures†is considered to be one of the efficient ways of policy-making process in “South Caucasian concertâ€. |
| Keywords: | Infrastructure, South Caucasus, International Relations, Geopolitics |
| JEL: | F50 F51 F54 |
| Date: | 2014–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sek:iacpro:0701445&r=tre |
| By: | Sambracos, Evangelos; Maniati, Marina |
| Abstract: | The international transportation Industry involves various sectors, shipping being one with particular characteristics which differentiates it from others. Within this scope, commercial banks are one of the main entities that may offer the required funding in a market that is characterized by the need for large amounts of capital and high operating costs. Banks play a significant role and are required to assess a number of factors in order to limit the risk from loans as well as to establish an accurate risk-return ratio. The efficiency of banks involved in the shipping industry is particularly important since it may, on one hand, affect financial growth, and on the other, create systemic crisis that may affect the economy as a whole as it directly affects the borrowing and consequently the financial situation and investment activity the shipping companies. This paper presents an effort to assess the shipping banks’ efficiency, and the determination of those factors which affect their technical efficiency, through the application of Data Envelopment Analysis. The results of this research indicate the factors that affect the efficiency of the shipping banks such as ROA, ROE, total loan loss provision to total loans ratio, total deposits and total assets, providing significant information to be considered by management regarding factors on which they should further focus in order to maintain and/or reinforce technical efficiency. |
| Keywords: | Efficiency, shipping banks, DEA, finance, profitability. |
| JEL: | C14 D22 G21 |
| Date: | 2015–01–19 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:63131&r=tre |
| By: | Noppamash Suvachart (Khon Kaen University) |
| Abstract: | This research aims to explore Thai youths’ travel behavior regarding green travel values, including test the effect of leisure activities preference factor of green activeness group. When classified travel behavior by green shading, there were five major forms of travel behavior; 65.6% were green, 25.7% were medium green, 7.8% were dark green, 0.8% were light green , and 0.2% were very light green. The importance leisure activities preference factor of separate green youth (active green) from the not so green (less active green) are voluntary service, nature protection, classic music, special event, sport, and reading books, respectively. A summary of each category description, methodology and main results are outlined below, as well as an analysis of findings. |
| Keywords: | Green Travel, Green Values, Leisure, Acitvity |
| JEL: | A10 A10 |
| Date: | 2014–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sek:iacpro:0201297&r=tre |
| By: | Mai, Tien; Frejinger, Emma; Fosgerau, Mogens |
| Abstract: | We propose a route choice model that relaxes the independence from irrelevant alternatives property of the logit model by allowing scale parameters to be link specific. Similar to the the recursive logit (RL) model proposed by Fosgerau et al. (2013), the choice of path is modelled as a sequence of link choices and the model does not require any sampling of choice sets. Furthermore, the model can be consistently estimated and efficiently used for prediction. A key challenge lies in the computation of the value functions, i.e. the expected maximum utility from any position in the network to a destination. The value functions are the solution to a system of non-linear equations. We propose an iterative method with dynamic accuracy that allows to efficiently solve these systems. We report estimation results and a cross-validation study for a real network. The results show that the NRL model yields sensible parameter estimates and the fit is significantly better than the RL model. Moreover, the NRL model outperforms the RL model in terms of prediction. |
| Keywords: | route choice modelling; nested recursive logit; substitution patterns; value iterations; maximum likelihood estimation; cross-validation |
| JEL: | C25 |
| Date: | 2015–03–23 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:63161&r=tre |