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on Transport Economics |
| By: | Justin Tyndall (University of Hawai‘i at Manoa Department of Economics, University of Hawai‘i Economic Research Organization) |
| Abstract: | Traffic fatalities in the US have been rising among pedestrians even as they fall among motorists. Contemporaneously, the US has undergone a significant shift in consumer preferences for motor vehicles, with larger Sport Utility Vehicles comprising an increased market share. Larger vehicles may pose a risk to pedestrians, increasing the severity of collisions. I use data covering all fatal vehicle collisions in the US and exploit heterogeneity in changing vehicle fleets across metros for identification. Between 2000 and 2018, I estimate that replacing the growth in Sport Utility Vehicles with cars would have averted 1,100 pedestrian deaths. I finnd no evidence that the shift towards larger vehicles improved aggregate motorist safety. |
| Keywords: | Transportation; Safety; Health; Traffic Fatalities; Externalities |
| JEL: | I1 R41 R42 R48 |
| Date: | 2021–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hae:wpaper:2020-4r&r= |
| By: | Ait-Ali , Abderrahman (Swedish National Road & Transport Research Institute (VTI)); Lidén, Tomas (Swedish National Road & Transport Research Institute (VTI)) |
| Abstract: | Methods for economic assessment, e.g., cost-benefit analysis, are often used in the rail sector to evaluate large infrastructure investments such as building new high-speed railway lines. With larger railway networks and aging infrastructure, these methods can also be used for maintenance planning decisions. In this paper, we focus on basic maintenance and the newly introduced concept of maintenance windows in Sweden. These are pre-allocated slots in the annual train timetable dedicated to performing, among others, periodic/frequent maintenance activities such as inspections, maintenance and repairs. To justify the pre-allocation of such windows, this study presents a method to find minimal utilization rates depending on window designs and traffic situations. Using a cost-benefit approach, the maintenance windows are assessed using a total social cost including maintenance work costs, loss in traffic production and reliability gains in future traffic. Based on a case study from the Southern main line in Sweden, we study the minimal utilization rate in different test scenarios, i.e., night or day shifts, asset degradation functions and designs of maintenance windows. The results show that lower utilization rates (5-50%) can be accepted during low-volume traffic or for partial closures, while higher utilization rates (50-90%) are required for full closures during high-volume traffic. Whether the rates are measured as share of used window time or share of utilized windows is less important, especially when higher utilization is required. |
| Keywords: | Maintenance windows; Rail infrastructure; Cost-benefit analysis |
| JEL: | R42 |
| Date: | 2021–09–27 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhs:vtiwps:2021_008&r= |
| By: | Shaheen, Susan; Cohen, Adam |
| Abstract: | Urban Air Mobility (UAM, also known as advanced air mobility) is an emerging concept that envisions a safe, sustainable, affordable, and accessible air transportation system for emergency management, cargo delivery, and passenger mobility within or traversing a metropolitan area. While numerous societal concerns have been raised about these approaches (e.g., privacy, safety, security, social equity), on-demand aviation has the potential to provide options for emergency services, goods delivery, and passenger mobility in urban and rural areas using small piloted and autonomous aircraft. This chapter provides a short overview of developments in on-demand aviation and a discussion of the potential impacts and challenges of UAM on communities. Potential challenges include safety, financial, and community acceptance, among others. Research that seeks to understand the potential societal barriers can help to identify challenges and mitigate potential UAM concerns. Research on the potential impacts of UAM, coupled with thoughtful planning and implementation, are needed to balance commercial interests, technology innovation, and the public good. |
| Keywords: | Social and Behavioral Sciences |
| Date: | 2021–01–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cdl:itsrrp:qt0r23p1gm&r= |
| By: | Hagen, Tobias; Saki, Siavash; Scheel-Kopeinig, Sabine |
| Abstract: | The research project 'start2park' closes a research gap by precisely measuring parking search duration (cruising for parking) - especially the starting point of search - using a mobile app developed for this purpose. Complete journeys' location data and durations are recorded, including driving until the start of the parking search, the parking search process, and the footpath from the parking spot to the final destination. Therefore, the causal effects of parking search on driving duration as well as journey duration can be estimated. Cruising for parking is traffic that results from car drivers looking for (free) kerb parking that meets their expectations (for example, free of charge or close to their destination point) and drivers being not (fully) informed about available kerb space parking locations. Parking search traffic causes external costs. Therefore, traffic-planning options should be designed to reduce unnecessary parking search traffic. However, this requires reliable data on urban cruising for parking traffic. Previous empirical results on the share of cruising traffic in total traffic, average parking search durations and average parking search distances differ widely. We show that the causal effect of parking search on driving duration and journey duration has not yet been validly estimated in empirical studies, and we explain how this is done in the research project. |
| Date: | 2021 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:fhfwps:20&r= |
| By: | Börjesson, Maria (Swedish National Road & Transport Research Institute (VTI)); Kouwenhoven, Marco (Significance, Den Haag, Netherlands); de Jong , Gerard (Significance, Den Haag, Netherlands); Daly , Andrew (ITS Leeds) |
| Abstract: | This paper studies intertemporal changes in the value of travel time (VTT) and investigates whether the change of VTT over time can be studied based on national VTT data, collected at two points in time. We use repeated national VTT data from the Netherlands and Sweden, collected 13 and 14 years apart. The results show mostly a declining VTT for a given income level. The results show also a large within-country heterogeneity across modes and purposes, in the cross-sectional income elasticity of the VTT, and in its development over time. The explanation most consistent with our results and those of others is that the VTT has in fact increased due to income increases, but that the repeated stated choice data cannot detect this given the data, methodology and population changes. In particular, it seems that the response rate has dropped considerably in the later surveys partly due to a higher share of (busy) respondents declining to be recruited. The main contribution of this paper is to document the differences between the studies carried out in different years, indicating the reasons why it is difficult to identify temporal changes in the VTT. |
| Keywords: | Value of time; Stated preference; Income elasticity; Cost-benefit analysis; Repeated studies; Data collection |
| JEL: | D61 H54 R41 R48 |
| Date: | 2021–09–23 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhs:vtiwps:2021_007&r= |
| By: | Verena Ehrler (DLR - Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt [Berlin]); Pierre Camilleri |
| Abstract: | So far, electric vehicles have not become a wide-spread alternative for the long-time dominating diesel vehicles in urban logistics. If this is to be changed, it is important to identify logistics applications for electric vehicles which are not geographically limited, to understand what improves user acceptance and how to measure the attractiveness of electric vehicles for users. The aim of this research is to contribute to answering these questions, based on evidence from France and Germany. For this purpose, findings from empirical research carried out in the form of pilot studies and surveys in Germany is analysed as the basis for the identification of user acceptance. By means of a basic model data from research in France is analysed, in order to identify, in how far incentives, technical and market developments contribute to an improved attractiveness and hence spread of electromobility for urban logistics. Findings from the German pilots and the French data are combined and compared. In a comparative analysis it is discussed whether the thesis can be confirmed, that electromobility is or will be a valid alternative for urban logistics in general. |
| Abstract: | Jusqu'à présent, les véhicules électriques ne sont pas devenus une alternative largement répandue aux véhicules diesel qui dominent depuis longtemps la logistique urbaine. Pour faciliter un changement rapide vers les véhicules électriques, il est important d'identifier les applications logistiques qui ne sont pas limitées géographiquement, de comprendre les aspects qui améliorent l'acceptation, et de mesurer les avantages des véhicules électriques pour leurs utilisateurs. L'objectif de cette recherche est de contribuer à des réponses à ces questions, en se basant sur des projets réalisés en France et en Allemagne. Dans la recherche présentée, les résultats des études pilotes et d'enquêtes en Allemagne sont analysés comme base pour l'identification de l'acceptation par les utilisateurs. Au moyen d'un modèle de base, des données issues d'une enquête en France sont analysées, afin d'identifier dans quelle mesure les incitations, les développements techniques et commerciaux contribuent à améliorer l'attractivité et donc la diffusion de l'électromobilité pour la logistique urbaine. Les résultats des projets pilotes allemands et des données françaises sont combinés et comparés. Dans une analyse comparative, il est discuté si la thèse peut être confirmée, que l'électromobilité est ou sera une alternative valable pour la logistique urbaine en général. |
| Keywords: | urban logistics,electric vehicles,freight transport,comparison France-Germany,logistique urbaine,véhicules électriques,transport de marchandises,comparaison franco-allemande |
| Date: | 2021–09–22 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-03305264&r= |
| By: | Lindgren, Erik (Department of Economics, Stockholm University); Pettersson-Lidbom, Per (Department of Economics, Stockholm University); Tyrefors, Björn (Research Institute of Industrial Economics (IFN)) |
| Abstract: | In this paper, we analyze the effect of transport infrastructure investments in railways. As a testing ground, we use data from a new historical database that includes annual panel data on approximately 2,400 Swedish rural geographical areas during the period 1860-1917. We use a staggered event study design that is robust to treatment effect heterogeneity. Importantly, we find extremely large reduced-form effects of having access to railways. For real nonagricultural income, the cumulative treatment effect is approximately 130% after 30 years. Equally important, we also show that our reduced-form effect is likely to reflect growth rather than a reorganization of existing economic activity since we find no spillover effects between treated and untreated regions. Specifically, our results are consistent with the big push hypothesis, which argues that simultaneous /coordinated investment, such as large infrastructure investment in railways, can generate economic growth if there are strong aggregate demand externalities (e.g., Murphy et al. 1989). We used plant-level data to further corroborate this mechanism. Indeed, we find that investments in local railways dramatically, and independent of initial conditions, increase local industrial production and employment on the order of 100‒300% across almost all industrial sectors. |
| Keywords: | Railways; Transport infrastructure; Real income; Event study; Treatment heterogeneity |
| JEL: | H54 L92 N73 O22 R12 R42 |
| Date: | 2021–09–22 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhs:iuiwop:1407&r= |
| By: | André de Palma; Nathalie Picard; Robin Lindsey |
| Abstract: | Households are often responsible for labour supply, time allocation, transportation and many other decisions. Yet, research in both economics and transportation was traditionally dominated by so-called unitary models that treat households as single decision-making units with a representative individual. This began to change with the development, in the field of Economics of the Family, of non-unitary models that recognize differences in household members preferences, and attempt to describe the joint decision making processes within households. Application of non-unitary models took off in the transportation literature with the special issues on modelling intra-household interactions edited by Bhat and Pendyala, 2005 [24] and Timmermans and Zhang, 2009 [113]. This chapter reviews the development of integrated models of household activity and transportation from the perspective of the Economics of the Family. These models have been applied to long-run decisions such as residential and workplace location and vehicle ownership, as well as short-run decisions including activity schedules, transport mode, and departure time. Non-unitary models go well beyond conventional discrete choice models by accounting for individual family members preferences, and within-family decisionmaking processes. The models feature new concepts specific to within-family interactions, including repeated interaction, bargaining, altruism, and Pareto optimality. |
| Keywords: | Economics of the family, Unitary models, Collective models, Couple decision making, Mobility, Residential location, Discrete choice models. |
| JEL: | H31 P25 R41 |
| Date: | 2021 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ulp:sbbeta:2021-37&r= |
| By: | Zheng, Han; Fujii, Daisuke |
| Abstract: | Recent empirical research documented that there exists a nonlinear pricing phenomenon in the shipping industry. This paper strives to show how this empirical regularity would alter conventional results in trade literature. This paper also shows that when nonlinear pricing in the shipping industry is considered, while the average productivity is higher conducive to the higher welfare level, the gains from trade are generally lower than the situation without. In addition, the model built in this paper offers micro foundations for the additive trade cost and features an endogenous response of shipping charges to the iceberg trade cost, an empirical finding emphasized in Hummels et al. (2009). In a much broader sense, this paper argues that the heterogeneous firm model offers a lens through which traditional results on some interesting objects, for example, gains from trade, could be altered. |
| Keywords: | Nonlinear pricing, Shipping industry, Heterogeneous firms, The gains from trade |
| JEL: | F12 F14 L25 L91 R41 |
| Date: | 2021–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hit:hiasdp:hias-e-112&r= |
| By: | Randall Wigle, Istvan Kery (Wilfrid Laurier University) |
| Date: | 2021 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wlu:lcerpa:bm0128&r= |
| By: | McCullough, Sarah R.; Erasmus, Sequoia |
| Abstract: | This report assesses equity work within transportation in California by analyzing the expert perspectives of transportation professionals who also identify as Black or people of color. 28 professionals from across the state were interviewed. Many interviewees work on transportation equity as part of their central job function. Interviews were transcribed and coded for major themes. Key findings centered around a key distinction between “performative” equity work and “authentic” equity work. Performative equity work privileges the comfort and perspective of dominant groups, reinforces status quo, stays in the realm of rhetoric, and often results in superficial changes only. Authentic equity work centers the experience of Black people and people of color, embraces discomfort, transforms dominant culture, and results in measurable changes to the lives of those historically oppressed. Key recommendations include supporting action-oriented equity work, especially around resource allocation and redistribution of decision-making power to communities. The report includes case studies of how to apply findings to new mobilities and policing, as well as visions for more equitable transportation futures. |
| Keywords: | Social and Behavioral Sciences, Equity, inclusion, diversity, workplace climate |
| Date: | 2021–09–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cdl:itsdav:qt2sg7k9cn&r= |
| By: | Zheng, Han |
| Abstract: | This paper shows that the shipping industry could hamper the endogenous firm selection into production which is conducive to the overall productivity enhancement and welfare gains, through its discriminatory price. Naturally, if the shipping industry charges a higher transport price to the more productive manufacturing firms, sabotaging their competitive edges, those productive firms would not be capable of expanding as well as they otherwise would do under uniform transport fees, leaving enough space for the less productive firms to survive. Therefore, the effect from another source of gains from trade, firm selection is dampened. Elimination of this discriminatory practice could potentially increase the gains from trade. |
| Keywords: | Price discrimination, Shipping industry, Heterogeneous firms, The gains from trade |
| JEL: | F12 L91 R13 R41 |
| Date: | 2021–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hit:hiasdp:hias-e-113&r= |