nep-tre New Economics Papers
on Transport Economics
Issue of 2019‒12‒23
twelve papers chosen by
Erik Teodoor Verhoef
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

  1. Railway timetabling with integrated passenger distribution By Hartleb, J.; Schmidt, M.E.
  2. Understanding the Distributional Impacts of Vehicle Policy: Who Buys New and Used Electric Vehicles? By Muehlegger, Erich; Rapson, David
  3. User Perceptions of Safety and Security: A Framework for a Transition to Electric-Shared-Automated Vehicles By Kurani, Kenneth S.
  4. Transit in the Greater Toronto Area: How to Get Back on the Rails By Matt Siemiatycki; Drew Fagan
  5. Mind the Funding Gap: Transit Financing in Los Angeles County and Metro Vancouver By Matthew Lesch
  6. Durables and Lemons: Private Information and the Market for Cars By Hamish Low; Richard Blundell; Ran Gu; Soren Leth-Petersen; Costas Meghir
  7. Digital Transformation in Transport, Construction, Energy, Government and Public Administration By BALDINI Gianmarco; BARBONI Marcello; BONO Flavio; DELIPETREV Blagoj; DUCH BROWN Nestor; FERNANDEZ MACIAS Enrique; GKOUMAS Konstantinos; JOOSSENS Elisabeth; KALPAKA Anna; NEPELSKI Daniel; NUNES DE LIMA Maria; PAGANO Andrea; PRETTICO Giuseppe; SANCHEZ MARTIN Jose Ignacio; SOBOLEWSKI Maciej; TRIAILLE Jean Paul; TSAKALIDIS Anastasios; URZI BRANCATI Maria Cesira
  8. The importance of occupational safety and health education in the event of accidents at work due to non-compliance with occupational safety rules and standards By Natália Matkov?íková
  9. A global assessment of street network sprawl By Barrington-Leigh, Christopher Paul; Millard-Ball, Adam
  10. Alternate Second Order Conic Programming Reformulations for Hub Location with Capacity Selection under Demand By Dhyani, Sneha; Jayaswal, Sachin; Sinha, Ankur; Vidyarthi, Navneet
  11. Competitive Hub Location Problems: Model and Solution Approaches By Tiwari, Richa; Jayaswal, Sachin; Sinha, Ankur
  12. Alternate Solution Approaches for Competitive Hub Location Problems By Tiwari, Richa; Jayaswal, Sachin; Sinha, Ankur

  1. By: Hartleb, J.; Schmidt, M.E.
    Abstract: Timetabling for railway services often aims at optimizing travel times for passengers. At the same time, restricting assumptions on passenger behavior and passenger modeling are made. While research has shown that passenger distribution on routes can be modeled with a discrete choice model, this has not been considered in timetabling yet. We investigate how a passenger distribution can be integrated into an optimization framework for timetabling and present two mixed-integer linear programs for this problem. Both approaches design timetables and simultaneously find a corresponding passenger distribution on available routes. One model uses a linear distribution model to estimate passenger route choices, the other model uses an integrated simulation framework to approximate a passenger distribution according to the logit model, a commonly used route choice model. We compare both new approaches with three state-of-the-art timetabling methods and a heuristic approach on a set of artificial instances and a partial network of Netherlands Railways (NS).
    Keywords: transportation, timetabling, public transport, route choice, discrete choice model, passenger distribution
    Date: 2019–12–17
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ems:eureri:122487&r=all
  2. By: Muehlegger, Erich; Rapson, David
    Abstract: Policy makers consider electric vehicles (EVs) an important policy lever to reduce urban air pollution, lower carbon emissions, and reduce overall petroleum consumption. The need to understand purchase patterns for EVs is especially important in light of the bold policy targets set for increasing EV penetration or phasing out internal combustion engines (ICEs) entirely in countries around the world and in California. This policy brief summarizes findings from the project which analyzed data on every EV, including plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and battery electric vehicle (BEV), purchased in California from 2011 to 2015 and random samples of comparable conventional and hybrid vehicles. It examined the proliferation of EVs during a period in which the market has matured to include new technologies, a growing secondary market has evolved, and a suite of policies has been put in place to promote switching away from gasoline-powered cars. Researchers analyzed the data to answer two questions. First, is the conventional wisdom, which suggests that EV adoption is more common among high-income households and less common among minority groups, reflected in purchase data? Second, do two plausible barriers impede low-income and minority car buyers’ adoption of EVs: price discrimination against groups traditionally unlikely to purchase EVs and availability of EVs at dealerships near low-income or minority communities. View the NCST Project Webpage
    Keywords: Social and Behavioral Sciences, Automobile dealers, Consumer behavior, Electric vehicles, Market assessment, Plug-in hybrid vehicles, Travel behavior, Used cars, Used vehicle industry
    Date: 2019–11–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cdl:itsdav:qt1q259456&r=all
  3. By: Kurani, Kenneth S.
    Abstract: The confluence of vehicle electrification, sharing and pooling, and automation alters petroleum-fueled, human-piloted, and privately-owned and operated vehicles for personal mobility in ways that raises such questions as, “Are such systems safe and secure?” and, “Who is being kept safe and secure from what (or whom)?” Answers are implied by filling in the “who” and “whom” of the second question: system, product, producer, road, and user. This white paper focuses on (actual and potential) users of systems of electrically-powered, shared, and automated vehicles (e-SAVs) as well as other road-users, e.g., pedestrians and cyclists. The role of user perceptions of safety and security are reviewed to create an initial framework to evaluate how they may affect who will initially use systems of e-SAVs for personal mobility and how safety and security will have to be addressed to foster sustained transitions. The paper will primarily be a resource for e-SAV user research, but will also inform system development, operation, and governance. This white paper offers an overarching framework grounded in the social theory of “risk society” and thus organizes past work that, typically, focuses on only one of the constituent technologies or on one dimension of safety or security, e.g., collision avoidance as a subset of road safety. View the NCST Project Webpage
    Keywords: Social and Behavioral Sciences, Safety, security, risk society, electric, shared, pooled, autonomous, vehicle
    Date: 2019–12–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cdl:itsdav:qt40g1637b&r=all
  4. By: Matt Siemiatycki; Drew Fagan (The University of Toronto)
    Abstract: Toronto is an emerging global city. Yet the failure to build rapid transit in step with the explosive growth of the past 40 years is one of the city-region’s biggest impediments to inclusive development and prosperity. The GTA needs fit-for-purpose processes to make transit decisions. It needs political leadership that respects evidence of what works. It needs to learn from others, while recognizing that every city-region has distinctive characteristics. It needs to act decisively with more focus and discipline, and yet also with greater inclusiveness. More specifically, there is a need to: Think regionally in terms of structures, possibly using an empowered Metrolinx as the central focus, and think locally less, especially when it comes to narrow self-interest; structures need to be put in place that drive coordination without losing local impact and input and with sufficient opportunity for meaningful public involvement; Reduce the influence of politics on decision-making and increase the importance of evidence, drawing examples from like-minded countries and cities, while taking into account the limits of evidence-gathering; publicly released cost-benefit analyses should be required and political “workarounds” should be viewed as incompatible with an effective transit system; Improve service coordination among transit agencies for all modes of transportation, not just subways and other rapid transit, but also bus routes that cross regional boundaries, car-sharing schemes, and bicycle rights-of-way; Integrate transportation and land-use planning more effectively by encouraging mixed-use, transit-oriented development near rapid transit stations; Optimize public engagement and transparency while guarding against process stasis; public consultation should focus on regionally important projects with a realistic chance of funding; mechanisms should be improved for politicians and planners to work together publicly on long-term approvals; Ensure that the GTA enjoys stable, coordinated, predictable long-term transit funding from the federal and provincial governments and through other funding mechanisms, for both new construction and ongoing maintenance. Most immediately, the subway “upload” initiative launched by the Government of Ontario should become the basis for a regional discussion and negotiation about how to improve transit across the board, not just the TTC subway system.
    Keywords: transit
    Date: 2019–10
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mfg:perspe:26&r=all
  5. By: Matthew Lesch (University of Toronto)
    Abstract: Across North American cities, the demand for better public transit is pervasive, yet many local governments lack sufficient revenue to finance the construction of new infrastructure. To resolve this dilemma, some localities have turned to citizens directly, proposing temporary, earmarked, sales tax increases as a way to finance capital-intensive projects. Why have some communities been more receptive to this funding model than others? This study addresses this question by comparing the recent experiences of Los Angeles County (2008), where a ballot measure to raise money for transportation was successful and Metro Vancouver (2015), where a similar public vote was unsuccessful. The analysis demonstrates the importance of political trust, issue framing, policy design, and coalition-building when engaging public support. The findings offer important lessons for other municipalities looking to invest in their public transportation systems.
    Keywords: transit, taxes, ballot measures, municipal finance
    JEL: H54 H71 R42
    Date: 2019–03
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mfg:wpaper:43&r=all
  6. By: Hamish Low; Richard Blundell; Ran Gu; Soren Leth-Petersen; Costas Meghir
    Abstract: We specify an equilibrium model of car ownership with private information where individuals sell and purchase new and second-hand cars over their life-cycle. Private information induces a transaction cost and distorts the market reducing the value of a car as a savings instrument. We estimate the model using data on car ownership in Denmark, linked to register data. The lemons penalty is estimated to be 18% of the price in the first year of ownership, declining with the length of ownership. It leads to large reductions in the turnover of cars and in the probability of downgrading at job loss.
    Keywords: Lemons penalty, car market, estimated life-cycle equilibrium model
    JEL: D82 E21
    Date: 2019–12–06
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oxf:wpaper:890&r=all
  7. By: BALDINI Gianmarco (European Commission - JRC); BARBONI Marcello (European Commission - JRC); BONO Flavio (European Commission - JRC); DELIPETREV Blagoj (European Commission - JRC); DUCH BROWN Nestor (European Commission - JRC); FERNANDEZ MACIAS Enrique (European Commission - JRC); GKOUMAS Konstantinos (European Commission - JRC); JOOSSENS Elisabeth (European Commission - JRC); KALPAKA Anna (European Commission - JRC); NEPELSKI Daniel (European Commission - JRC); NUNES DE LIMA Maria (European Commission - JRC); PAGANO Andrea (European Commission - JRC); PRETTICO Giuseppe (European Commission - JRC); SANCHEZ MARTIN Jose Ignacio (European Commission - JRC); SOBOLEWSKI Maciej (European Commission - JRC); TRIAILLE Jean Paul (European Commission - JRC); TSAKALIDIS Anastasios (European Commission - JRC); URZI BRANCATI Maria Cesira (European Commission - JRC)
    Abstract: This report provides an analysis of digital transformation (DT) in a selection of policy areas covering transport, construction, energy, and digital government and public administration. DT refers in the report to the profound changes that are taking place in all sectors of the economy and society as a result of the uptake and integration of digital technologies in every aspect of human life. Digital technologies are having increasing impacts on the way of living, of working, on communication, and on social interaction of a growing share of the population. DT is expected to be a strategic policy area for a number of years to come and there is an urgent need to be able to identify and address current and future challenges for the economy and society, evaluating impact and identifying areas requiring policy intervention. Because of the very wide range of interrelated domains to be considered when analysing DT, a multidisciplinary approach was adopted to produce this report, involving experts from different domains. For each of the four sectors that are covered, the report presents an overview of DT, DT enablers and barriers, its economic and social impacts, and concludes with the way forward for policy and future research.
    Keywords: Digital transformation, Construction, Transport, Energy, Digital Government
    Date: 2019–12
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ipt:iptwpa:jrc116179&r=all
  8. By: Natália Matkov?íková (University of Economics in Bratislava, Faculty of Business Management, Department of Management)
    Abstract: Non-compliance with occupational health and safety legislation leads to accidents at work which have consequences for employees, companies and the state. To prevent these consequences, an occupational accident prevention system, including education and training of employees in the field of occupational health and safety, is possible. The paper analyzes and presents the results of the research of the need to re-educate employees on the basis of three selected areas: compliance with working procedures, use of protective clothing and footwear and compliance with mental hygiene principles in which respondents do not comply with occupational health and safety rules, resulting in an accident at work in the transport sector. The contribution points out that formal education carried out by classical educational methods in the field of occupational health and safety does not have sufficient effect to change employees' behavior and does not replace the experiential form of education provided by modern educational methods. The paper is output solutions of grant tasks VEGA No.1/0447/19 ? Economic consequences of non-compliance with the principles of occupational safety and health for companies in the Slovak republic.
    Keywords: occupational safety and health, work injury, education, e-learning
    JEL: I15 I25
    Date: 2019–10
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sek:itepro:9612141&r=all
  9. By: Barrington-Leigh, Christopher Paul (McGill University); Millard-Ball, Adam
    Abstract: Disconnected urban street networks, which we call “street-network sprawl,” are strongly associated with increased vehicle travel, energy use and CO_{2} emissions, as shown by previous research in Europe and North America. In this paper, we provide the first systematic and globally commensurable measures of street-network sprawl based on graph-theoretic and geographic concepts. Using data on all 46 million km of mapped streets worldwide, we compute these measures for the entire Earth at the highest possible resolution. We generate a summary scalar measure for street-network sprawl, the Street-Network Disconnectedness index (SNDi), as well as a data-driven multidimensional classification that identifies eight empirical street-network types that span the spectrum of connectivity, from gridiron to dendritic (tree-like) and circuitous networks. Our qualitative validation shows that both the scalar and multidimensional measures are meaningfully comparable within and across countries, and successfully capture varied dimensions of walkability and urban development. We further show that in select high-income countries, our measures explain cross-sectional variation in household transportation decisions, and a one standard-deviation increase in SNDi is associated with an extra 0.25 cars owned per household. We aggregate our measures to the scale of countries, cities, and smaller geographies and describe patterns in street-network sprawl around the world. Latin America, Japan, South Korea, much of Europe and North Africa stand out for their low levels of street-network sprawl, while the highest levels are found in south-east Asia, the United States and the British Isles.
    Date: 2019–04–23
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:osf:osfxxx:6vp8j&r=all
  10. By: Dhyani, Sneha; Jayaswal, Sachin; Sinha, Ankur; Vidyarthi, Navneet
    Abstract: In this paper, we study the single allocation hub location problem with capacity selection in the presence of congestion at hubs. Accounting for congestion at hubs leads to a non-linear mixed integer program, for which we propose 18 alternate mixed integer second order conic program (MISOCP) reformulations. Based on our computational studies, we identify the best MISOCP-based reformulation, which turns out to be 20
    Date: 2019–12–10
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iim:iimawp:14617&r=all
  11. By: Tiwari, Richa; Jayaswal, Sachin; Sinha, Ankur
    Abstract: In this paper, we study the hub location problem of an entrant airline that tries to maximize its market share, in a market with already existing competing players. The routes open for use can be either of multiple allocation or single allocation type. The entrant's problem is modelled as a non-linear integer program in both the situations, which is intractable for off-the-shelf commercial solvers, like CPLEX and Gurobi, etc. Hence, we propose four alternate approaches to solve the problem. The first is based on a mixed integer second order conic program reformulation, while the second uses lifted polymatroid cuts based approximation of second order cone constraints. The third is the second order conic program within Lagrangian relaxation, while the fourth uses approximated lifted polymatroid cuts within lagrangian relaxation. The four methods performs differently for the single allocation and multiple allocation models, and second approach is the best for single allocation model and for smaller instances in multiple allocation model. As the problem size in multiple allocation model increases, the third method starts to be the better performer in terms of computation time.
    Date: 2019–12–10
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iim:iimawp:14616&r=all
  12. By: Tiwari, Richa; Jayaswal, Sachin; Sinha, Ankur
    Abstract: In this paper, we study the hub location problem of an entrant airline that tries to maximize its share in a market with already existing competing players. The problem is modelled as a nonlinear integer program, which is intractable for off-the-shelf commercial solvers, like CPLEX and Gurobi, etc. Hence, we propose four alternate approaches to solve the problem. The first among them uses the Kelly's cutting plane method, the second is based on a mixed integer second order conic program reformulation, the third uses the Kelly's cutting plane method within Lagrangian relaxation, while the fourth uses second order conic program within Lagrangian relaxation. The main contribution of this paper lies in the fourth approach, which along with refinements is the most efficient. Many of the problem instances that were not solvable using standard techniques, like the Kelly's cutting plane method, have been solved in less than 2 hours of CPU time within 1% optimality gap
    Date: 2019–12–10
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iim:iimawp:14615&r=all

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