nep-tre New Economics Papers
on Transport Economics
Issue of 2020‒12‒14
twenty papers chosen by
Erik Teodoor Verhoef
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

  1. Effects of Increased Weights of Alternative Fuel Trucks on Pavement and Bridges By Harvey, John PhD; Saboori, Arash; Miller, Marshall PhD; Kim, Changmo PhD; Jaller, Miguel PhD; Lea, Jon; Kendall, Alissa PhD; Saboori, Ashkan
  2. Pricing vehicle emissions and congestion using a dynamic traffic network simulator By André de Palma; Shaghayegh Vosough; Robin Lindsey
  3. Reallocation of Road and Street Space in Oslo: Measures for Zero Growth in Urban Traffic By Aud Tennøy; Oddrun Helen Hagen
  4. Belt and Road Initiative By Olena Bogdan; Evgenij Najdov
  5. Cars and Space Consumption: Rethinking the Regulation of Urban Mobility By Yves Crozet
  6. Congestion Control in Singapore By Walter Theseira
  7. State of the art overview on automatic railway timetable generation and optimization By Reisch, Julian
  8. The Impact of HOV and HOT Lanes on Congestion in the United States By Robert Poole
  9. Analysing Automobile Industry Supply Chains By William Connell Garcia; Magdalena Kizior; Wouter Simons
  10. The Curse of Geography? Railways and Growth in Spain 1877-1930 By Guillermo Esteban-Oliver
  11. Pricing and Efficient Public Transport Supply in a Mobility as a Service Context By Daniel Hörcher; Daniel Graham
  12. The Impact of Introducing a Low Traffic Neighbourhood on Fire Service Emergency Response Times, in Waltham Forest, London By Goodman, Anna; Laverty, Anthony; Aldred, Rachel
  13. Identifying locations for new bike-sharing stations in Glasgow: an analysis of spatial equity and demand factors By Beairsto, Jeneva; Tian, Yufan; Zheng, Linyu; Zhao, Qunshan; Hong, Jinhyun
  14. The electric vehicle revolution: Economic and policy implications for natural resource exporters in developing countries By Benjamin Jones
  15. High-occupancy Toll Lanes: Their Distributional Impact and Effect on Congestion By Jonathan Hall
  16. Congestion in Latin American Cities: Innovative Approaches for a Critical Issue By Juan Pablo Bocarejo
  17. Zero Car Growth: A Challenge for Transport Justice By David King
  18. Implementation of a cost-benefit analysis of Demand-Responsive Transport with a Multi-Agent Transport Simulation By Conny Grunicke; Jan Christian Schl\"uter; Jani-Pekka Jokinen
  19. Congestion Pricing with Minimal Public Opposition: The Use of High-occupancy Toll Lanes and Positive Incentives in Israel By Galit Cohen-Blankshtain; Hillel Bar-Gera; Yoram Shiftan
  20. Spatial and Temporal Synchronization of Truck Platoons By Kishore Bhoopalam, A.; Agatz, N.A.H.; Zuidwijk, R.A.

  1. By: Harvey, John PhD; Saboori, Arash; Miller, Marshall PhD; Kim, Changmo PhD; Jaller, Miguel PhD; Lea, Jon; Kendall, Alissa PhD; Saboori, Ashkan
    Abstract: California’s truck fleet composition is shifting to include more natural gas vehicles (NGVs), electric vehicles (EVs), and fuel cell vehicles (FCVs), and it will shift more quickly to meet state greenhouse gas (GHG) emission goals. These alternative fuel trucks (AFTs) may introduce heavier axle loads, which may increase pavement damage and GHG emissions from work to maintain pavements. This project aimed to provide conceptual-level estimates of the effects of vehicle fleet changes on road and bridge infrastructure. Three AFT implementation scenarios were analyzed using typical Calif. state and local pavement structures, and a federal study’s results were used to assess the effects on bridges. This study found that more NGV, EV, and FC trucks are expected among short-haul and medium-duty vehicles than among long-haul vehicles, for which range issues arise with EVs and FCs. But the estimates predicted that by 2050, alternative fuels would power 25–70% of long-haul and 40–95% of short-haul and medium-duty trucks. AFT implementation is expected to be focused in the 11 counties with the greatest freight traffic—primarily urban counties along major freight corridors. Results from the implementation scenarios suggest that introducing heavier AFTs will only result in minimal additional pavement damage, with its extent dependent on the pavement structure and AFT implementation scenario. Although allowing weight increases of up to 2,000 lbs. is unlikely to cause major issues on more modern bridges, the effects of truck concentrations at those new limits on inadequate bridges needs more careful evaluation. The study’s most aggressive market penetration scenario yielded an approximate net reduction in annual well-to-wheel truck propulsion emissions of 1,200–2,700 kT per year of CO2 -e by 2030, and 6,300–34,000 kT by 2050 versus current truck technologies. Negligible effects on GHG emissions from pavement maintenance and rehabilitation resulted from AFT implementation.
    Keywords: Engineering, Trucks, electric vehicles, emissions, alternate fuels, greenhouse gasses, pavement distress, pavement performance, highway bridges, life cycle analysis
    Date: 2020–11–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cdl:itsdav:qt4z94w3xr&r=all
  2. By: André de Palma; Shaghayegh Vosough; Robin Lindsey (Université de Cergy-Pontoise, THEMA)
    Abstract: Road traffic is a major contributor to air pollution which is a serious problem in many large cities. Experience in London, Milan, and Stockholm indicates that road pricing can be useful in reducing vehicle emissions as well as congestion. This study uses the dynamic traffic network simulator METROPOLIS to investigate the effectiveness of tolls to target emissions and congestion externalities on a stylized urban road network during a morning commuting period. The concentration and spatial distribution of four pollutants are calculated using a Gaussian dispersion model that accounts for wind speed and direction. Single and double cordon tolls are evaluated, as well as flat tolls that do not change during the simulation period and step tolls that change at half-hourly intervals. The presence of emission externalities raises optimal toll levels, and substantially increases the welfare gains from tolling although the advantage of step tolls over flat tolls is lower than if congestion is the only externality. The individual welfaredistributional effects of tolling vary strongly with residential and workplace locations relative to the cordon, and also differ for the windward and leeward sides of the city.
    Keywords: congestion, dynamic traffic simulation, emissions, pollution dispersion, tolls
    JEL: H2 R41 Q53
    Date: 2020
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ema:worpap:2020-09&r=all
  3. By: Aud Tennøy; Oddrun Helen Hagen
    Abstract: This paper discusses Norway’s zero-growth objective for passenger car traffic. It focuses on Oslo’s experience with removing parking space, improving walking and cycling conditions and reducing road capacity on main motorways. The paper highlights the effectiveness of reallocating road and street space to achieving more sustainable uses, reducing car-dependency and lowering traffic volumes.
    Date: 2020–10–23
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:itfaab:2020/14-en&r=all
  4. By: Olena Bogdan; Evgenij Najdov
    Keywords: Transport - Railways Transport Energy - Oil & Gas International Economics and Trade - Trade and Transport Transport - Transport and Trade Logistics Transport - Roads & Highways Infrastructure Economics and Finance - Infrastructure Economics
    Date: 2020–06
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:34329&r=all
  5. By: Yves Crozet (University of Lyon)
    Abstract: This paper discusses the importance of reducing the space consumption of car traffic as opposed to simply reducing individuals’ travel time. It highlights the role of app-based mobility services in reducing urban congestion from a spatial perspective and the importance of shifting the focus from mobility to accessibility as a way of reducing excessive traffic, meeting sustainability objectives and improving livability.
    Date: 2020–10–23
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:itfaab:2020/13-en&r=all
  6. By: Walter Theseira (Singapore University of Social Sciences)
    Abstract: This paper reviews the development and implementation of congestion control policies in Singapore since the introduction of the Area Licensing Scheme in 1975. It examines the city state’s experience of vehicle quotas, cordon charging and electronic road pricing. It also looks at developments in public transport and urban planning to improve accessibility and congestion control. Both public attitudes to congestion policies and their economic effects are discussed and analysed.
    Date: 2020–10–12
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:itfaab:2020/10-en&r=all
  7. By: Reisch, Julian
    Abstract: In railway transportation, each train needs to have a timetable that specifies which track at which time will be occupied by it. This task can be addressed by automatization techniques both in generating a timetable and in optimizing an existing one. In this paper, we give an overview on the state of the art of these techniques. We study the computation of a technically valid slot for a train that guarantees a (short) spatial and temporal way through the network. Furthermore, the construction of a cyclic timetable where trains operate e.g. every 60 minutes, and the simultaneous construction of timetables for multiple trains are considered in this paper. Finally, timetables also need to be robust against minor delays. We will review the state of the art in the literature for these aspects of railway timetabling with respect to models, solution algorithms, complexity results and applications in practice.
    Keywords: Operations Research,Public Transport,Railway Timetabling
    Date: 2020
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:fubsbe:202020&r=all
  8. By: Robert Poole (Reason Foundation)
    Abstract: This paper describes the evolution of high-occupancy vehicle lanes (HOV) and high-occupancy toll lanes (HOT) lanes in the United States. It evaluates their performance and analyses the impact on carpooling and public transport. The demographics of HOV and HOT lane users and the implications for equal access are also examined. The paper also proposes ways to apply lessons learned from the success of HOV and HOT lanes to the political challenges of road pricing.
    Date: 2020–09–21
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:itfaab:2020/08-en&r=all
  9. By: William Connell Garcia; Magdalena Kizior; Wouter Simons
    Abstract: Analysing the automobile sector is important for understanding the evolution of many economies in the EU. This is because of the sector’s direct importance in terms of GDP and employment, its sensitivity to the economic cycle, as well as its extended role in the economy through supply chains. While our analysis covers all EU Member States, we focus particularly on France and Germany. The aim of this study is to evaluate recent trends in the automobile and related sectors using a global value chain (GVC) approach. Building on these results, we evaluate the potential impact across countries and sectors of a hypothetical negative demand shock for cars. We conclude the analysis by studying the current position of the automobile sector across countries in light of the transition towards electric vehicles. Our main finding confirms that carmakers in France and Germany have chosen different production strategies. While French carmakers have traditionally relied much more on offshoring final production, German car makers seems to have retained much more assembly at home, while offshoring intermediates to neighbouring countries. Moreover, we find that a hypothetical shock of 10% to the final demand for cars by EU consumers could lead to a 0.2% drop in total employment demand in France, placing it at the European average. Germany, however, would suffer from a greater loss of 0.7% in total employment demand. In view of the upcoming shift towards electric car technologies and autonomous driving, we find evidence suggesting that countries in the EU are lagging behind China and the US when it comes to the production of electric parts used in the car sector.
    JEL: C67 D57 F14 F17 L62
    Date: 2020–11
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:euf:dispap:134&r=all
  10. By: Guillermo Esteban-Oliver (Department of Geography and Sociology, University of Lleida, Spain)
    Abstract: In this study, we explore the relationship between rail accessibility and municipal population growth in Spain from 1877 to 1930. To carry out this analysis we introduce a novel database, which combines census data with the geo-location of access points (stations and stops). Then, and in order to establish causality, we use a Least Cost Path (LCP) instrument. Our results suggest that municipalities with direct access (less than 1-hour walking distance to the nearest station or stop) experienced more rapid growth. The findings are robust to several checks and point to the transformative power of transport infrastructure, especially developing economies with an unforgiving geography.
    Keywords: Railways, population, growth
    JEL: N7 N9 R00
    Date: 2020–11
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ahe:dtaehe:2011&r=all
  11. By: Daniel Hörcher (Imperial College); Daniel Graham (Imperial College)
    Abstract: Mobility as a Service (MaaS) is widely expected to make sustainable transport choices more attractive. New approaches to ticketing will be a core part of MaaS, both to attract users and fund services. The associated pricing decisions will be a matter of public policy as much as business objectives, because they can have large social welfare effects. This paper describes options for different pricing structures and their relative efficiency. It considers the potential impact that differing objectives of public and privately-owned transport providers might have on pricing decisions. It concludes with an assessment of the possible effects of Covid-19 on the MaaS market.
    Date: 2020–10–12
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:itfaab:2020/15-en&r=all
  12. By: Goodman, Anna; Laverty, Anthony; Aldred, Rachel
    Abstract: There is sometimes concern that low traffic neighbourhoods slow emergency vehicles. We test this using London Fire Brigade data (2012-2020) in Waltham Forest, where from 2015 low traffic neighbourhoods have been implemented. We find no evidence that response times were affected inside low traffic neighbourhoods, and some evidence that they improved on boundary roads. However, while the proportion of delays was unchanged, the reasons given for delays initially showed some shift from ‘no specific delay cause identified’ to ‘traffic calming measures’. Our findings indicate that low traffic neighbourhoods do not adversely affect emergency response times, although while LTNs are novel this perception may exist among some crews.
    Date: 2020–11–26
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:osf:socarx:jathq&r=all
  13. By: Beairsto, Jeneva; Tian, Yufan; Zheng, Linyu; Zhao, Qunshan; Hong, Jinhyun
    Abstract: Worldwide bike-sharing systems are growing in popularity as an alternative, environmentally friendly mode of transportation. As cities seek to further develop bike-sharing programs, it is important to consider how systems should expand to simultaneously address existing inequalities in accessibility, and best serve demand. In this paper, we determine ideal locations for future bike-sharing stations in Glasgow, Scotland, by integrating demand modelling with accessibility considerations. We began by analyzing the spatio-temporal trends of bike-sharing usage, and assessed the spatial equity of access to stations in Glasgow. To identify important determinants of bike-sharing demand, we ran an ordinary least squares regression model using bike sharing trip data from Nextbike Glasgow. We then quantifiably measured the level of spatial accessibility to stations by applying the two-step floating catchment area (2SFCA) methodology and ran a GIS weighted overlay analysis using the significant determinants of station demand. Lastly, we combined the demand and accessibility results to determine where new stations should be located using a maximum covering location problem (MCLP) that maximized the population served. Our results show that distance from transit stations, distance from downtown, employment rates, and nearby cycling lanes are significant factors affecting station-level demand. Furthermore, levels of spatial access were found to be highest primarily in the centre and eastern neighbourhood of Glasgow. These findings aided in determining areas to prioritize for future station locations, and our methodology can easily be applied to other bike-share programs with adjustments according to varying aims for system expansion.
    Date: 2020–11–24
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:osf:osfxxx:apyfn&r=all
  14. By: Benjamin Jones
    Abstract: The emergence of a mass market for electric vehicles (EVs) offers considerable development opportunities for resource exporters, given their intensive raw material requirements, including for cobalt, nickel, lithium, copper, aluminium, and manganese. To exploit the benefits of new demand, empirical evidence on the 'resource curse' increasingly points to the benefits of strengthening institutions for effective policy management and to mitigate the risk of poorly directed, often excessively procyclical, investment.
    Keywords: Transportation, Raw materials, Resource curse, policy, resource mobilization
    Date: 2020
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2020-158&r=all
  15. By: Jonathan Hall (University of Toronto)
    Abstract: This paper reports the theoretical and empirical evidence on the distributional effects of Express Lanes. It also provides evidence of how they affect congestion, both in the Express Lanes themselves and in the parallel general-purpose lanes. The paper also helps put Express Lanes in context by discussing the merits of alternative approaches to managing congestion such as ramp metering, permits, and vehicle-kilometres travelled charges.
    Date: 2020–09–21
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:itfaab:2020/07-en&r=all
  16. By: Juan Pablo Bocarejo (Universidad de los Andes)
    Abstract: This paper surveys trends in private vehicle use in Latin American cities and related government policies. It discusses the Colombian government’s initiatives to adopt congestion charging in major cities, highlights the political constraints encountered, and discusses policy changes adopted in response. The paper presents modelling results for the impact of different congestion charging proposals and identifies the principal challenges for adopting them.
    Date: 2020–09–21
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:itfaab:2020/28-en&r=all
  17. By: David King (Arizona State University)
    Abstract: This paper discusses the challenges to transport justice in the context of zero-car-growth policies. It analyses the car-dependence created by sprawling cities that necessitate access to automobiles if citizens want to fully participate in the economy, maintain social connections and achieve a desirable quality of life. It specifically highlights the complications this presents for cities in their efforts towards environmental, equity and economic goals largely achieved through reduced car use.
    Date: 2020–10–23
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:itfaab:2020/12-en&r=all
  18. By: Conny Grunicke; Jan Christian Schl\"uter; Jani-Pekka Jokinen
    Abstract: In this paper, the technical requirements to perform a cost-benefit analysis of a Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) service with the traffic simulation software MATSim are elaborated in order to achieve the long-term goal of assessing the introduction of a DRT service in G\"ottingen and the surrounding area. The aim was to determine if the software is suitable for a cost-benefit analysis while providing a user manual for building a basic simulation that can be extended with public transport and DRT. The main result is that the software is suitable for a cost-benefit analysis of a DRT service. In particular, the most important internal and external costs, such as usage costs of the various modes of transport and emissions, can be integrated into the simulation scenarios. Thus, the scenarios presented in this paper can be extended by data from a mobility study of G\"ottingen and its surroundings in order to achieve the long-term goal. This paper is aimed at transport economists and researchers who are not familiar with MATSim, to provide them with a guide for the first steps in working with a traffic simulation software.
    Date: 2020–11
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2011.12869&r=all
  19. By: Galit Cohen-Blankshtain (The Hebrew University of Jerusalem); Hillel Bar-Gera (Ben-Gurion University of the Negen); Yoram Shiftan (Technion, Israel Institute of Technology)
    Abstract: This paper reports on the Israeli experience with a high-occupancy toll (HOT) lane between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. It highlights the integration of a park-and-ride service with the HOT lane and the provision of free parking to encourage carpooling. The paper also analyses Israel’s pilot “Going Green” programme and how it demonstrates the potential of positive incentives to address congestion.
    Date: 2020–09–21
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:itfaab:2020/09-en&r=all
  20. By: Kishore Bhoopalam, A.; Agatz, N.A.H.; Zuidwijk, R.A.
    Abstract: Truck platooning technology allows trucks to drive at short headways to save fuel and associated emissions. However, fuel savings from platooning are relatively small so forming platoons should be convenient and with minimum detour and delays. In this paper, we focus on developing optimization technology to match trucks into platoons. We formulate a mathematical program for the platoon routing problem with time windows (PRP-TW) based on a time-space network. We provide polynomial time algorithms to solve special cases of the PRP-TW with 2-truck platoons. Based on these special cases, we build several fast heuristics for the PRP-TW and show that these heuristics perform well. Moreover, we show that simple 2-truck platoons already capture most of the potential savings of platooning.
    Keywords: truck platoons, time-space network, fuel savings, optimization
    Date: 2020–12–02
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ems:eureri:131893&r=all

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