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on Transport Economics |
| By: | Alexander Tarasov (University of Munich); Gabriel Felbermayr (University of Munich and Ifo Institute) |
| Abstract: | This paper constructs a theoretical model, in which transportation costs between two locations depend on cumulative infrastructure investment and governments allocate infrastructure spending over continuous space, thereby affecting the geographical pattern of transportation costs. Modelling international trade, we assume that governments set their infrastructure investment schedules in a non-cooperative fashion. We find that governments provide too little infrastructure investment because they ignore the benefits from reductions in domestic transportation costs that accrue to foreign consumers. Moreover, the distribution of infrastructure chosen by local governments is skewed towards central regions, which magnifies small discrete border frictions and creates `border regions' within countries. French data on transportation costs are consistent with our theory. |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:red:sed015:393&r=tre |
| By: | Yi-Xuan Gao; Hua Liao; Paul J. Burke; Yi-Ming Wei (Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research (CEEP), Beijing Institute of Technology) |
| Abstract: | Road transport will account for a large share of developing countries¡¯ future energy demand. This paper reviews the trends in road transport energy consumption in 12 countries (Group of 7 and BRICS) over the period 1973-2010. We report several stylised facts: road transport energy use and its share in total energy use have been rising; there were large differences in road transport energy use per capita across countries, resulting from differences in country size, resource endowments, fuel prices, and other factors; oil accounts for approximately 95% of road transport energy in the selected countries (except Brazil); oil will likely be the dominant road transport energy source in most countries for some years to come but not in the long run; and the use of alternative road transport energy sources is increasing. |
| Keywords: | Road transport, Energy consumption, Historical |
| JEL: | Q41 |
| Date: | 2014–09–20 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:biw:wpaper:79&r=tre |
| By: | Richard Arnott (Department of Economics, University of California Riverside); Anatolii Kokoza (University of Arizona); Mehdi Naji (University of California, Riverside) |
| Abstract: | For a quarter century, a top priority in transportation economic theory has been to develop models of rush-hour traffic dynamics that incorporate traffic jams (hypercongestion). The difficulty has been that "proper" models result in mathematical intractabilty, while none of the proposed approximating models has gained general acceptance. This paper takes a different tack, focusing on a particular proper model in which commuters decide when to travel so as to minimize a trip cost function that is linear in travel time and schedule delay (the so-called α-β-γ variant of the bottleneck model). Solutions of all the model variants entail departure/arrival masses. |
| Keywords: | equilibrium, rush hour, traffic congestion |
| JEL: | L91 R41 |
| Date: | 2015–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ucr:wpaper:201511&r=tre |
| By: | IHARA Ryusuke; NAKAMURA Ryohei; MORITA Manabu |
| Abstract: | This paper investigates the straw effect in the framework of new economic geography (NEG). The straw effect specifically in Japan refers to the provisioning of transportation infrastructure such as shinkansen lines, bridges, highways, etc. that worsens the economic foundation of the local areas. The reason is explained by NEG: the decrease in transport costs stimulates interregional competition, which results in the agglomeration of economic activities. Using an NEG model of the 47 prefectures, we analyze the effect of transportation infrastructure on regional economic foundations. First, the estimation of shipment values in the manner of regional potentials derives elasticity of substitution by industry. Then, by focusing on the market/competition expansion effects of transportation infrastructure, we show the conditions in which the straw effect occurs. Finally, we show that our methodology makes it possible to predict whether the construction of new transportation infrastructure will have positive or negative effects on the prefectures. |
| Date: | 2015–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:eti:rdpsjp:15045&r=tre |
| By: | Schönberger, Jörn |
| Abstract: | We analyse the benefits and limitations of the integration of sourcing decisions into the operational route compilation task of a road-haulage company. A trucking company has to supply several customer sides. The demanded quantities are given. The trucking company has to decide which truck serves which customer location(s) (routing decisions). In contrast to previously reported fleet deployment problems the trucking company can select from several loading positions for each individual transport request (sourcing decisions). We propose a mathematical model for the integrated sourcing and vehicle routing decision problem. For this purpose, we merge a network flow model and a vehicle routing model. The first mentioned model represents the sourcing decision problem and the second model represents the fleet deployment (routing) decisions. We propose a matheuristic approach to solve the proposed integrated model. This matheuristic combines an algorithm for solving the network flow problem part and a metaheuristic that searches for least distance vehicle routes. Both algorithms interchange information through an adaptable distance matrix that is accessed by both algorithms. We use the proposed model-based approach to evaluate the benefits from integrating sourcing decisions in fleet deployment tasks and execute comprehensive computational experiments. |
| Keywords: | fleet deployment,sourcing,decision support,mathematical programming,artificial intelligence,matheuristic |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:tudiwv:12015&r=tre |
| By: | Miller, John |
| Keywords: | Agricultural and Food Policy, |
| Date: | 2015–02–20 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:usao15:205027&r=tre |
| By: | Xinying Fu (VU University Amsterdam, the Netherlands); Vincent van den Berg (VU University Amsterdam, the Netherlands); Erik T. Verhoef (VU University Amsterdam, the Netherlands) |
| Abstract: | There has been wide interest in private supply of roads as a solution to traffic congestion. We study its efficiency under demand uncertainty: we solve for equilibrium and optimum as benchmarks, and evaluate the efficiency of possible regulatory policies for private road operators. We obtain analytic solutions for simple networks and numerical simulation results for more complex ones. For two serial links and two parallel links, self-financing still holds in expected terms for the first-best case, even though the capacity is higher than the capacity for the deterministic demand equal to the expected value. When forced to apply the second-best optimal pricing, the private supplier makes an expected loss (profit) if there is an untolled substitute (complement) in the network. In contrast to the deterministic counterpart of the problem we study, regulation by competitiv e auction cannot replicate the second-best zero-profit result. For more complex networks, when private firms adds capacity one link at a time, entry by competitive auctions performs better than free entry. For the parameter range considered in the numerical simulation, entry by generalized auction performs better than entry by patronage auction. |
| Keywords: | Traffic Congestion; Road Pricing; Uncertain Demand; Road Network; Private Supply; Auction |
| JEL: | D63 H23 R41 R42 |
| Date: | 2015–08–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:tin:wpaper:20150092&r=tre |
| By: | Nowakowski, Christopher; Shladover, Steven E; Lu, Xiao-Yun; Thompson, Deborah; Kailas, Aravind |
| Abstract: | Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control (CACC) provides an intermediate step toward a longer-term vision of trucks operating in closely-coupled automated platoons. There are important distinctions between CACC and automated truck platooning. First, with CACC, only truck speed control will be automated, using vehicle to vehicle (V2V) communication to supplement forward sensors. The drivers will still be responsible for actively steering the vehicle, lane keeping, and monitoring roadway and traffic conditions. Second, while truck platooning systems have relied on a Constant Distance Gap (CDG) control strategy, CACC has relied on a Constant-Time Gap (CTG) control strategy, where the distance between vehicles is proportional to the speed. For these reasons, a series of trucks using CACC is referred to as a string, rather than a platoon. This report mainly focuses on describing the various CACC operational concept alternatives at the level of individual vehicles, local groups of vehicles and their drivers, and which alternatives should be employed in this research project. These operational concepts can be broken into four categories: string formation, steady-state cruising, string split maneuvers, and faults or abnormal operating conditions. |
| Keywords: | Engineering, Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control, CACC, Adaptive Cruise Control, ACC, Speed Control, Truck Platooning, V2V, Vehicle-to-vehicle, Truck strings, DSRC, Platoons |
| Date: | 2015–03–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cdl:itsrrp:qt7jf9n5wm&r=tre |
| By: | Naghmeh Niroomand (Eastern Mediterranean University, North Cyprus); Glenn P. Jenkins (Queen’s University, Canada and Eastern Mediterranean University, North Cyprus) |
| Abstract: | The incidence of death and injury from automobile accidents in North Cyprus is 3.6 times greater than the average for the EU. With the prospect of North Cyprus entering the EU, many investments will need to be undertaken in order to reduce these figures and reach EU norms. A key task will be to select the investments that are justified on the basis of a cost–benefit or cost–effectiveness analysis and not to waste resources through poor project selection. The objective of this study is to provide local estimates of the value of a statistical life and injury along with the value of time savings. These are among the key parameters needed for the evaluation of the benefits of such projects. In this study we conducted a stated choice experiment to identify the preferences and trade-offs of automobile drivers in North Cyprus for improved travel times, travel costs and safety. The choice of route was examined using mixed logit models to obtain the marginal utilities associated with each attribute of the routes that consumers choose. These estimates were used to assess the individuals’ willingness to pay (WTP) to avoid fatalities and injuries and to save travel time. We then used the results to obtain community-wide estimates of the value of a statistical life (VSL) saved, the value of injury (VI) prevented, and the value per hour of travel time saved. |
| Keywords: | Willingness to pay; choice experiment; value of risk reduction; value of a statistical life; road safety; car drivers |
| JEL: | D12 D61 Q50 J17 R41 D12 |
| Date: | 2015–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:qed:dpaper:280&r=tre |
| By: | Dion, Francois; Skabardonis, Alexander |
| Abstract: | This report describes activities surrounding the design, building, deployment, operation, and evaluation of an innovative corridor management (ICM) system aiming to improve mobility within the Interstate 15 (I-15) corridor in San Diego, California, by integrating the operations of the I-15 freeway with the surrounding arterials and transit systems. Systems engineering principles were applied to support the development of the demonstration ICM system and the systems engineering process was credited by the project team with having contributed significantly to the success of the project. While full system evaluations were not yet available when this report was written, the deployed I-15 ICM system had already demonstrated its ability to identify incidents and unusual congestion events, to develop traffic management strategies integrating freeway, arterial, and transit operational elements, and to implement recommended strategies either automatically or following approval by relevant system operators. The system has also demonstrated the feasibility of using a microscopic traffic simulation model in a real-time operational environment to forecast corridor operations under alternative scenarios. Simulation evaluations have further consistently shown operational benefits exceeding deployment costs. |
| Keywords: | Engineering, Integrated corridor management, ICM, Traffic simulation, Microsimulation, Traffic incidents, Traffic congestion, Traffic management, Arterial highways |
| Date: | 2015–06–30 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cdl:itsrrp:qt7f96m702&r=tre |
| By: | Eriksen, Ken |
| Keywords: | International Development, International Relations/Trade, Marketing, |
| Date: | 2015–02–20 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:usao15:205029&r=tre |
| By: | Morten Ravn (University College London) |
| Abstract: | In this paper we consider how car purchases behaviour changes at the onset and during a recession. In particular, by using the rich information available in the Consumer Expenditure Survey, we look both at the number of individuals buying a car, and at the size of the car they buy. We show that the behaviour during the great recession of 2008-2010 is remarkably different from previous recessions. We interpret the evidence through the prism of a life cycle model where individuals receive idiosyncratic uninsurable income as well as aggregate income shocks and stochastic borrowing constraints. Households allocate their resources between cars and non durable consumption. Cars are large and costly to transact but can be financed through car loans. This implies an (S,s) type of durables adjustment. We show that, because of their salience and the transaction costs, cars are particularly sensitive to changes in the perception of future expected in come and its variability. We show that persistent common income shocks explain the consumption data better than changes in borrowing constraints and idiosyncratic income shocks. |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:red:sed015:317&r=tre |
| By: | Shladover, Steven E; Campbell, Robert; Kailas, Aravind; Boyd, Stephen; Torrey, Ford |
| Abstract: | Representatives of the trucking industry have been surveyed to try to identify their needs and concerns related to truck platooning systems. These surveys revealed the need to provide clearer and more comprehensive descriptions of the truck platooning concepts to ensure that the respondents understand what it is and how it works. The fleet managers tended to be more receptive to truck platooning than the drivers, and even those respondents who had some prior experience driving trucks with adaptive cruise control (ACC) and forward collision warning systems were no more receptive to truck platooning than those who lacked such experience. One group of respondents received a more complete description of the truck platoon concept and their responses were significantly more positive regarding driver acceptance of the system. |
| Keywords: | Engineering, Platooning, Truck platoons, Truck drivers, Fleet managers, Adaptive cruise control, ACC |
| Date: | 2015–02–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cdl:itsrrp:qt6723k932&r=tre |
| By: | Roberto Patuelli (Department of Economics, University of Bologna, Italy; The Rimini Centre for Economic Analysis, Italy); Peter Nijkamp (Department of Spatial Economics, VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Faculty of Geographical and Geological Sciences, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poland; The Rimini Centre for Economic Analysis, Italy) |
| Abstract: | Over the past decades, leisure travel has become increasingly popular in older segments of the world population, as a consequence of global factors such as a rise in life expectancy, improved health conditions, a higher disposable income, and increased availability of discretionary time in retirement age. Consequently, researchers have become more interested in studying the motivations for travel of seniors. A number of questions may be raised or have been addressed in the recent past: What are the main factors explaining the travelling choices of seniors? Are their travel motivations different from the ones of the younger population, which have been widely studied in the past? Are geographical differences in terms of motivations comparable between different age groups? Why is senior tourism a topic of particular interest with regard to Asia? In order to answer such questions, in this paper we provide a review of the literature on the travel motivations of seniors. On the basis of 29 articles published on the topic, we provide a qualitative and meta-analytic assessment of past findings, by investigating the dimensions of travel motivations most frequently employed in past seniors surveys. Finally, we discuss a research agenda for further analysis of senior travel motivations and for the integration of this branch of travel research within a wider framework. |
| Date: | 2015–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rim:rimwps:15-28&r=tre |