nep-tre New Economics Papers
on Transport Economics
Issue of 2018‒05‒28
fifteen papers chosen by
Erik Teodoor Verhoef
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

  1. Car type preferences among private buyers and company car owners as related to climate and transport policy in Sweden By Engström, Emma; Algers, Staffan; Beser Hugosson, Muriel
  2. URBAN FORM, MOBILITY BEHAVIOR AND DYSFUNCTION OF TRANSPORT SUPPLY: THE CASE OF YAOUNDÉ * By Jean Patrick Mfoulou Olugu; Jean Patrick; Mfoulou Olugu
  3. Behavior-oriented modeling of electric vehicle load profiles: A stochastic simulation model considering different household characteristics, charging decisions and locations By Harbrecht, Alexander; McKenna, Russell; Fischer, David; Fichtner, Wolf
  4. Vintage-specific driving restrictions By Nano Barahona; Francisco Gallego; Juan-Pablo Montero
  5. Housing Price Network Effects from Public Transit Investment: Evidence from Vancouver By Alex Chernoff; Andrea Craig
  6. Traffic and the Provision of Public Goods By Louis-Philippe Beland; Daniel A. Brent
  7. The Impact of Proximity to Railway on Land Prices By Justyna Tanas
  8. Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice of Drivers Towards Traffic Rules and Regulations in Multan, Pakistan By Ishrat Riaz; Samia Shahid
  9. Fading Choice: Transport Costs and Variety in Consumer Goods By Gunning, Jan Willem; Krishnan, Pramila; Mengistu, Andualem Telaye
  10. The Effects of Downtown Line MRT on Property Values By Seow Eng Ong; Calvin Chau; Jianmei Wu
  11. Development of a System for Ensuring the Integrated Security of Transboundary Transport Corridors in the Far East and the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation By Maruev, Aleksey
  12. Integrated choice and latent variable models: A literature review on mode choice By Bouscasse, H.
  13. Mobility and Regional Competitiveness in the Digital Age By Bence Zuti
  14. Regulating Infrastructure Development in India. By Sapatnekar, Sanhita; Patnaik, Ila; Kishore, Kamal
  15. A Long-Run Estimation of Natural Gas Demand in Indonesian Manufacturing Sector: Computable General Equilibrium Model Approach By Widodo, Tri; Fitrady, Ardyanto; Alim Rosyadi, Saiful; Erdyas Bimanatya, Traheka

  1. By: Engström, Emma (Folksam Research); Algers, Staffan (CTS - Centre for Transport Studies Stockholm (KTH and VTI)); Beser Hugosson, Muriel (CTS - Centre for Transport Studies Stockholm (KTH and VTI))
    Abstract: Dedicated to show climate leadership, Sweden has committed to cut 70% of greenhouse gas emissions in the domestic transport sector by 2030 as compared to levels in 2010 (except flights). The aim of this study was to quantify car type choice among private buyers and individuals with cars provided as a fringe benefit, and to investigate the impacts of retrospective policy scenarios using Sweden as a case study. Models were developed using revealed preferences data relating to car attributes and buyer socioeconomics. The company car type choice model reflected both company policy restrictions and employee preferences. The results indicated that range and safety were crucial factors for the widespread introduction of electric cars and plug-in hybrids. Company car owners were more inclined to choose cars with climate friendly fuels than private buyers. Average CO2 emissions per car were however similar in the two groups, which might relate to a stronger preference for heavier and larger cars among company car holders, in combination with the weights-based ‘Clean car’ definition in Sweden. A ‘Clean car’ restriction was company policy for 7.5% of employees, among whom the share of diesel cars was 88%. Policy scenario modeling results further indicated that the impact of recent climate and transport policies has been small: the most notable effect was a policy of reduced fringe benefits taxation on alternative fuels, worth up to €1,100 annually, which resulted in 0.7 % lower average CO2/km per car. For private buyers, a ‘Super Clean Car’ premium, worth ca € 2,000 – € 4,000, had a 0.4 % effect on the average emissions per car, according to models. This effect was twice as high as that for a five year tax-exemption for ‘Clean cars’, worth ca €200 annually for private buyers. Apparently, in order to substantially change the fleet of new cars in Sweden there is a need for tougher transport policies related to climate change mitigation.
    Keywords: Public transport; bus; demand model; fares; frequencies; supply; optimization; urban; welfare
    JEL: R41 R42 R48
    Date: 2018–05–22
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhs:ctswps:2018_009&r=tre
  2. By: Jean Patrick Mfoulou Olugu (Université de Yaoundé II); Jean Patrick; Mfoulou Olugu
    Abstract: The objective of this chapter is to assess the relationship between urban form, mobility behavior, and dysfunction of transport supply in a large African city with high urban growth like Yaoundé in Cameroon. Specifically, the chapter aims at assessing the influence of urban, mobility, and socioeconomic characteristics of an origin area on the mobility choice of individuals. Using field data collected by the urban community of Yaoundé in 2010 and statistical tools such as multinomial logits, results show that urban form characteristics, such as human and establishment densities, accessibility, and origin-destination distances influence the choices of individual mobility. The urban form of major cities in Africa, due to a very high urban growth uncontrolled by the local authorities, plays a negative role on the operations of urban transport service in Africa because it promotes an artisanal supply characterized by a low capacity and reduces the efficiency and competitiveness of mass public transportation, which is cheaper. Based on results of this study, recommendations are: controlling urban sprawl, easing of accessibility to public transport, and developing an efficient and competitive mass transportation.
    Keywords: urban form,urban mobility,transport supply,agglomeration in Africa,Yaoundé
    Date: 2017–04–28
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-01773468&r=tre
  3. By: Harbrecht, Alexander; McKenna, Russell; Fischer, David; Fichtner, Wolf
    Abstract: This paper presents a stochastic bottom-up model to assess electric vehicles' (EV) impact on load profiles at different parking locations as well as their load management potential assuming different charging strategies. The central innovation lies in the consideration of socio-economic, technical and spatial factors, all of which influence charging behavior and location. Based on a detailed statistical analysis of a large dataset on German mobility, the most statistically significant influencing factors on residential charging behavior could be identified. Whilst household type and economic status are the most important factors for the number of cars per household, the driver's occupation has the strongest influence on the first departure time and parking time whilst at work. An inhomogeneous Markov-chain is used to sample a sequence of destinations of each car trip, depending (amongst other factors) on the occupation of the driver, the weekday and the time of the day. Probability distributions for the driven kilometres, driving durations and parking durations are used to derive times and electricity demand. The probability distributions are retrieved from a national mobility dataset of 70,000 car trips and filtered for a set of socio-economic and demographic factors. Individual charging behaviour is included in the model using a logistic function accounting for the sensitivity of the driver towards (low) battery SOC. The presented model is validated with this mobility dataset and shown to have a deviation in key household mobility characteristics of just a few percentage points. The model is then employed to analyse the impact of uncontrolled charging of BEV on the residential load profile. It is found that the absolute load peaks will increase by up to factor 8.5 depending on the loading infrastructure, the load in high load hours will increase by approx. a factor of 3 and annual electricity demand will approximately double.
    Date: 2018
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:kitiip:29&r=tre
  4. By: Nano Barahona; Francisco Gallego; Juan-Pablo Montero
    Abstract: Local air pollution has led authorities in many cities around the world to impose limits on car use, increasingly by means of driving restrictions or license-plate bans. With some exceptions, these restrictions tend to be poorly designed creating incentives for drivers to buy additional, more polluting cars. We study vintage-specific restrictions that place heavy limits on older, polluting vehicles and none on newer, cleaner ones. A novel model of the car market and evidence from Santiago’s 1992 program, the earliest attempt to use vintage-specific restrictions, are used to show that these restrictions can be welfare enhancing by accelerating fleet turnover toward cleaner cars. These policies compare well to alternative instruments such as scrappage subsidies and pollution-based registration fees.
    Keywords: Driving restrictions, Local Pollution, Car Turnover
    JEL: R41 Q53 Q58
    Date: 2018–05–17
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:col:000518:016259&r=tre
  5. By: Alex Chernoff; Andrea Craig
    Abstract: In this paper, we estimate the effect on housing prices of the expansion of the Vancouver SkyTrain rapid transit network during the period 2001–11. We extend the canonical residential sorting equilibrium framework to include commuting time in the household utility function. We estimate household preferences in the sorting model using confidential micro data and geographic information systems (GIS) data on the SkyTrain network. Using these preference estimates and observed data for 2001, we simulate the equilibrium effects of expanding the SkyTrain. In our counterfactual analysis, the SkyTrain expansion increases housing prices not only in neighborhoods where the expansion occurred, but also in those with access to pre-existing segments of the network. We show how these network housing price effects depend on household commuting patterns, and discuss the implications of our results for targeted taxation policies designed to capture the housing price appreciation stemming from a public transit investment.
    Keywords: Asset Pricing, Economic models, Housing
    JEL: H41 R21 R41
    Date: 2018
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bca:bocawp:18-18&r=tre
  6. By: Louis-Philippe Beland; Daniel A. Brent
    Abstract: We examine the relationship between traffic congestion and emergency response times by match- ing traffic data at a fine spatial and temporal scale to incident report data from fire departments in California. Our results show that traffic slows down fire trucks arriving at the scene of an emergency and increases the average monetary damages from fires. Allocating more funding to fire departments decreases response times, but not the marginal effect of traffic. We document an additional externality of traffic congestion and highlight the negative effect of traffic on one of the many public goods that rely on well-functioning road infrastructure.
    Date: 2018–05
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:lsu:lsuwpp:2018-04&r=tre
  7. By: Justyna Tanas
    Abstract: After the system transformation in Poland, the development of land’s market for single-family housing in the suburban areas of large agglomerations has increased significantly. This is strongly related to suburbanization proces and connected with the intensified migration of people from the main cities. As a result, it increases of car’s traffic, which significantly extend the time of travel to the city center of Poznan. The aim of this paper is to estimate the impact of proximity to railway stations on the prices of land designated for single-family housing in Poznan’ suburban area. In order to estimate the impat of proximity to railway stations on the prices of land designated for single-family housing the hedonic methods were used. The analysis covers the years from 2010 to 2014.
    Keywords: Housing Market; Property Value; railway
    JEL: R3
    Date: 2017–07–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arz:wpaper:eres2017_248&r=tre
  8. By: Ishrat Riaz (The Women University Multan, Pakistan); Samia Shahid (GC University Lahore, Pakistan)
    Abstract: Traffic rules are an important agenda for the developing countries and the situation has become worsened particularly in Pakistan. Most of the road accidents are resulting due to lack of knowledge, negative attitudes and risky practices of drivers towards traffic rules and regulations. To highlight the knowledge, attitude and practices of professional drivers towards traffic rules, this research work was initiated. The objective of research was to determine and explore the knowledge, attitudes and practice towards traffic regulations of professional drivers in Multan (Punjab), Pakistan, also to acquire the relationship between demographic features, Knowledge, attitudes and practices of professional drivers towards traffic rules. Emphasis had also been given to the primary data generation and allied aspects such as construction of the data gathering instrument (Questionnaire), content management, sampling, execution, testing and refinement of the instrument for getting hold of the quality data which ultimately determines quality of the ultimate research. The study explored that many of professional drivers in Multan (Pakistan) had inadequate knowledge, less positive attitudes and risky practices towards traffic regulations. Implementation of effective and standard intervention programs may increase the driver’s knowledge, positive attitudes and safe practices towards traffic rules and regulations.
    Keywords: Road Accidents, Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, Professional Drivers, Demographic Features, Traffic Rules and Regulations, Multan Pakistan
    Date: 2018–03
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:smo:fpaper:011&r=tre
  9. By: Gunning, Jan Willem; Krishnan, Pramila; Mengistu, Andualem Telaye
    Abstract: The lack of market development in remote areas is usually measured by spatial variation in prices for a given set of consumer goods. We focus instead on the way distance constrains the choices consumers can make. We construct a model of monopolistic competition between traders moving goods from market towns to rural areas. An increase in transport costs reduces consumer welfare not only through lower incomes for farm households and higher prices for manufactures but also through reduced availability of manufactures: choice fades with distance. The model allows for heterogeneity of villages in terms of market size and the distribution of income. We test the model using data from a purpose-designed survey of shops and consumers in rural villages in Ethiopia. Falling transport costs, larger market size and higher inequality dramatically raise variety of items and brands available locally. We use data on prices of matched source and destination goods to estimate similar tastes for variety across space and estimate an average markup of 10-15 percent. We use these results to estimate the welfare costs of falling variety at between 5-7 percent of expenditures on manufactured consumer goods. Our results suggest ignoring the costs of lower variety in remote places will mean that the level of poverty is underestimated while the rate at which poverty declines is underestimated as well.
    JEL: F14 R12
    Date: 2018–05
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:12910&r=tre
  10. By: Seow Eng Ong; Calvin Chau; Jianmei Wu
    Abstract: The Downtown Line was announced on 3 July 2009 providing a much needed mass rapid transit from the central part of Singapore to downtown CBD. This study studies the economic value of Downtown Line on property prices along Bukit Timah and Dunearn Road (prime residential areas) using a difference-in-difference approach. We seek to valide the premium for residential units located within walking distance of public rail network, as well as provide an added dimension on the Singapore's housing prices with proximity to a rail network, with an up-to-date look on the latest network addition. The policy implications, such as government intervention on the densification efforts surrounding stations located away from downtown, will be examined.
    Keywords: Accessibility; proximity; residential values; train lines; transport network
    JEL: R3
    Date: 2017–07–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arz:wpaper:eres2017_52&r=tre
  11. By: Maruev, Aleksey (Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA))
    Abstract: The fundamental advantage of Russia in all historical epochs is its considerable territorial extent, which provides unique transport opportunities. Moreover, the geographical location of Russia allows for the transfer of transport flows both along the Southern Transport Corridor from the Far Eastern regions bordering China to the western ones, providing access to the West European market, and through the Northern - via the Northern Sea Route. However, the realities of the geoeconomic situation show that the current program documents of the federal and regional levels of the Russian Federation do not fully take into account the challenges and threats accompanying the development of the Russian segment of cross-border and transcontinental projects that ensure Russia's integrated interaction with the countries of the Asia-Pacific region, the sphere of transboundary transport corridors in the Far East and in the Arctic zone of Russia can not be provided. The creation of the basic transport infrastructure of the Russian Arctic and the Far East, the maritime and continental components of their security, requires an holistic system for ensuring the integrated security of transport communications in these regions.
    Date: 2018–04
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rnp:wpaper:041833&r=tre
  12. By: Bouscasse, H.
    Abstract: Mode choice depends on observable characteristics of the transport modes and of the decision maker, but also on unobservable characteristics, known as latent variables. By means of an integrated choice and latent variable (ICLV) model, which is a combination of structural equation model and discrete choice model, it is theoretically possible to integrate both types of variables in a psychologically and economically sound mode choice model. To achieve such a goal requires clear positioning on the four dimensions covered by ICLV models: survey methods, econometrics, psychology and economics. This article presents a comprehensive survey of the ICLV literature applied to mode choice modelling. I review how latent variables are measured and incorporated in the ICLV models, how they contribute to explaining mode choice and how they are used to derive economic outputs. The main results are: 1) the latent variables used to explain mode choice are linked to individual mental states, perceptions of transport modes, or an actual performed behaviour; 2) the richness of structural equation models still needs to be explored to fully embody the psychological theories explaining mode choice; 3) the integration of latent variables helps to improve our understanding of mode choice and to adapt public policies.
    Keywords: MODE CHOICE;SURVEY;INTEGRATED CHOICE;LATENT VARIABLE MODEL;STRUCTURAL EQUATION MODELLING;BEHAVOURAL THEORIES;ECONOMIC OUTPUTS
    JEL: C25 D9 R41
    Date: 2018
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:gbl:wpaper:2018-07&r=tre
  13. By: Bence Zuti (University of Szeged, Hungary)
    Abstract: Digitalization is one of the key drivers of accelerated change in our everyday lives, both on an economic and social level. With solutions enabled through ICT technologies, we are more connected than ever on the global scale. In this next chapter of globalization, we currently experience significant transition in the structure of industries, consumer behavior and how we collect and manage data. This transition requires a shift in mindset, as we need to reevaluate the key factors of competitiveness, in order to prepare ourselves for rapid and presumably disruptive changes. These changes, however, mean to ease our everyday lives in the long run. The presence of an advanced regional infrastructure is a crucial factor in enhancing the competitiveness of regional economies, hence the opportunities in mobility in the digital age need to be revised. The aim of the paper is to systematize the key connections between digitalization, mobility and regional competitiveness while mapping potential challenges in the topic as well.
    Keywords: regional competitiveness, digitalization, globalization, regional mobility, urban mobility
    Date: 2018–04
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:smo:tpaper:006&r=tre
  14. By: Sapatnekar, Sanhita (National Institute of Public Finance and Policy); Patnaik, Ila (National Institute of Public Finance and Policy); Kishore, Kamal (National Disaster Management Authority)
    Abstract: India has been rapidly urbanising. Much of this has been unplanned, with regulation left to catch up to what has already been implemented. This leaves room for improving the legal framework in terms of what role is played by each level of government, as well as the process for setting standards for each type of infrastructure. Regulation of the professionals involved (including town planners and engineers) is missing, resulting in implementation issues. Further, this regulatory framework is still evolving in India. There are systemic issues to consider, such as the level of prescription a standard should have, identifying critical infrastructure, and whether to retrot existing infrastructure. This paper reviews the existing framework for infrastructure development and the associated standards in India, and identies areas for concern. Rather than deeply analysing any one standard, this paper analyses the ecosystem for standard setting in India’s infrastructure development from a risk perspective.
    Date: 2018–05
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:npf:wpaper:18/230&r=tre
  15. By: Widodo, Tri; Fitrady, Ardyanto; Alim Rosyadi, Saiful; Erdyas Bimanatya, Traheka
    Abstract: Domestic natural gas utilization in Indonesia suffers from lack of proper infrastructure and high transportation costs. The government might benefit from detailed estimation of demand to anticipate potentially fast-growing natural gas utilization in the future. Using Global Trade Analysis Project - Energy (GTAP-E) model simulation, this paper attempts to present a long-run estimation of natural gas demand in manufacturing sector for year 2025, 2030, and 2035. Chemical industry will remain the largest user of natural gas, followed by electricity, basic metal, and metal industry. To meet these demand, domestic production of natural gas should increase by 36.7 percent and 99.49 percent in 2025 and 2035, respectively. It brings us to the urge of massive investments in natural gas production and distribution.
    Keywords: natural gas, GTAP-E Model, energy demand
    JEL: Q41 Q47
    Date: 2018–05–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:86887&r=tre

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