nep-tre New Economics Papers
on Transport Economics
Issue of 2023‒02‒27
ten papers chosen by
Erik Teodoor Verhoef
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

  1. Transport policies in polycentric cities By Quentin Max David; Moez Kilani
  2. What Drive HSR' Prices and Frequencies? An Analysis of Intermodal Competition and Multiproduct Incumbent's Strategies in the French Market By Thierry Blayac; Patrice Bougette; Florent Laroche
  3. Seasonality of flights in China: Spatial heterogeneity and its determinants By Jiaoe Wang; Fan Xiao; Frédéric Dobruszkes; Wei Wang
  4. Mirroring in production? Early evidence from the scale-up of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) By Marc Alochet; John Paul Macduffie; Christophe Midler
  5. Sold to China: Container Traffic in the Port of Piraeus By Claude Duvallet; Pamina Koenig; Yoann Pigné; Sandra Poncet; Mathieu Sanch-Maritan
  6. Climate Variability and International Trade By Geoffrey R. Dunbar; Walter Steingress; Ben Tomlin
  7. Features of the Economic Efficiency Appraisal of Transportation Projects by the Cost-Benefit Analysis Method By Ruslan Gulidov; Pavel Pokrashenko; Nikolay Strelov; Elena Zadirej
  8. Pursuing Carbon Neutrality in the Automotive Sector: Trends, Proposals, and Challenges By Kim, Kyoung You; Cho, Cheul
  9. Tools and Best Practices for Land Use Efficiency and Equity in Cities By Nguyen, Peter; Barajas, Jesus M
  10. Spatial Implications of Telecommuting in the United States By Parkhomenko, Andrii; Delventhal, Matthew J

  1. By: Quentin Max David; Moez Kilani
    Date: 2022–12–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ulb:ulbeco:2013/355063&r=tre
  2. By: Thierry Blayac (CEE-M - Centre d'Economie de l'Environnement - Montpellier - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement - Institut Agro Montpellier - Institut Agro - Institut national d'enseignement supérieur pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement - UM - Université de Montpellier); Patrice Bougette (GREDEG - Groupe de Recherche en Droit, Economie et Gestion - UNS - Université Nice Sophia Antipolis (1965 - 2019) - COMUE UCA - COMUE Université Côte d'Azur (2015-2019) - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - UCA - Université Côte d'Azur); Florent Laroche (LAET - Laboratoire Aménagement Économie Transports - UL2 - Université Lumière - Lyon 2 - ENTPE - École Nationale des Travaux Publics de l'État - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)
    Abstract: This paper provides an empirical analysis of the determinants of service prices and frequencies of conventional high-speed rail (HSR) in France. We use original data for the period 09/2019-03/2020 and consider the intensity of intermodal competition and the diversification strategy of the incumbent rail operator. The main econometric results show that the determinants of the price per kilometer of conventional HSR services (1st and 2nd class) are partly common (especially for the variables explaining the technical characteristics of the routes and the alternative offer) and partly specific (competitive environment, economic and demographic environment). Frequencies depend mainly on travel time. On the routes for which the conventional HSR does not provide a quality service (frequency and/or price), a complementary alternative offer compensates the low frequency of conventional HSR services.
    Keywords: HSR, Intermodal competition, Multiproduct firms' strategies, Low-cost transportation, France, Working Papers du LAET
    Date: 2023
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:wpaper:halshs-03934485&r=tre
  3. By: Jiaoe Wang; Fan Xiao; Frédéric Dobruszkes; Wei Wang
    Abstract: Seasonality is an essential issue for service industries but lacks the attention of most transport scholars. To close this gap, this study explored the spatial heterogeneity and determinants of flight seasonality from a supply-side perspective, using the monthly flights of 222 airports in China during 2018 as a sample. The following conclusions were drawn. First, domestic flights in China face seasonality due to the country's vast territory and diverse natural environment. Second, from an airport perspective, seasonality is high in small airports serving remote places and in cities that are tourism destinations. Third, from a route perspective, feeder routes in the air transport network of China face higher seasonality when compared to trunk routes. Finally, airport size and a mix of natural landscape factors shape domestic flight seasonality at the national level. At the local level, most factors (e.g. airport size and temperature) are more evident in the northwest region.
    Keywords: Air transport; Seasonality; Flight; Airport; Associating factors
    Date: 2023–01–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ulb:ulbeco:2013/355192&r=tre
  4. By: Marc Alochet (i3-CRG - Centre de recherche en gestion i3 - X - École polytechnique - Université Paris-Saclay - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique); John Paul Macduffie (Department of Management [University of Pennsylvania]); Christophe Midler (i3-CRG - Centre de recherche en gestion i3 - X - École polytechnique - Université Paris-Saclay - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)
    Abstract: The mirroring hypothesis is central to modularity theory, positing isomorphism between technical interdependencies of a product and organizational arrangements. When a product's design becomes more modular, a full mirroring response would change both its manufacturing and its supply chain. We evaluate this prediction for Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), observing whether automakers have mirrored the modular BEV architecture in either internal production processes, external sourcing arrangements, or both. Our data from 19 automakers show that, to date, BEVs are manufactured in their assembly plants alongside conventional internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs). New automakers with fully BEV plants utilize essentially the same production process. Furthermore, automakers make—or ally to make—key Electric Vehicle (EV) systems, rather than outsourcing them. We discuss the implications of this partial mirroring for modularity theory and ask whether these arrangements will persist once BEV sales surpass ICEVs.
    Keywords: modularity mirroring design production technological change electric vehicles, modularity, mirroring, design, production, technological change, electric vehicles
    Date: 2023
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-03927381&r=tre
  5. By: Claude Duvallet (LITIS - Laboratoire d'Informatique, du Traitement de l'Information et des Systèmes - ULH - Université Le Havre Normandie - NU - Normandie Université - UNIROUEN - Université de Rouen Normandie - NU - Normandie Université - INSA Rouen Normandie - Institut national des sciences appliquées Rouen Normandie - INSA - Institut National des Sciences Appliquées - NU - Normandie Université); Pamina Koenig (PSE - Paris School of Economics - UP1 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne - ENS-PSL - École normale supérieure - Paris - PSL - Université Paris sciences et lettres - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - ENPC - École des Ponts ParisTech - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement); Yoann Pigné (LITIS - Laboratoire d'Informatique, du Traitement de l'Information et des Systèmes - ULH - Université Le Havre Normandie - NU - Normandie Université - UNIROUEN - Université de Rouen Normandie - NU - Normandie Université - INSA Rouen Normandie - Institut national des sciences appliquées Rouen Normandie - INSA - Institut National des Sciences Appliquées - NU - Normandie Université); Sandra Poncet (PSE - Paris School of Economics - UP1 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne - ENS-PSL - École normale supérieure - Paris - PSL - Université Paris sciences et lettres - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - ENPC - École des Ponts ParisTech - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement); Mathieu Sanch-Maritan (GATE Lyon Saint-Étienne - Groupe d'analyse et de théorie économique - ENS Lyon - École normale supérieure - Lyon - UL2 - Université Lumière - Lyon 2 - UCBL - Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 - Université de Lyon - UJM - Université Jean Monnet - Saint-Étienne - Université de Lyon - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)
    Abstract: This paper analyzes the effects of the acquisition of the Port of Piraeus by the Chinese shipping operator COSCO in July 2016 on the organization of container traffic in Europe. Using real-time container ship positions provided by vessel tracking systems between 2015 and 2019, we study the impact of the privatization of the Greek port on the traffic of Piraeus and competing ports by vessels of different operators, and specifically COSCO. We use a differencein-differences approach. The number of calls by container ships to Piraeus increased following its privatization, but this increase in attractiveness corresponds essentially to ships operated by COSCO whose capacity exceeds 3, 000 twenty-foot equivalent units, and in particular the largest of them. We do not identify any crowding out effect between operators in Piraeus: the use of Piraeus by the vessels of other operators remains relatively unchanged. The privatization of Piraeus seems to have imposed the Greek port as COSCO's transhipment hub for the European market without this being to the detriment of ports in any other particular European area.
    Keywords: F23, L31, F61, Ports, Maritime Traffic, Privatization
    Date: 2023–01–13
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:wpaper:hal-03938743&r=tre
  6. By: Geoffrey R. Dunbar; Walter Steingress; Ben Tomlin
    Abstract: This paper quantifies the impact of hurricanes on seaborne international trade to the United States. Using geocoded hurricane data mapped to satellite tracking data for commercial ships, we identify hurricane intersections on sea-trade routes between U.S. and foreign ports. Matching the timing of hurricane–trade route intersections with monthly U.S. port-level trade data, we isolate the unanticipated effects of a hurricane hitting a trade route using two separate identification schemes: an event study and a local projection. Our estimates imply that a hurricane reduces route-specific monthly U.S. import flows by 5.4% to 16.0%, leading to an aggregate loss of 1.15% to 3.42% of annual U.S. west coast imports for an average storm season. We find no evidence of trade catching up in the months following a hurricane nor any evidence of rerouting to other ports or other transportation modes (e.g., air). Using our estimates in combination with climate scenarios from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, we quantify a range of costs of future hurricane disruptions that could occur if trade routes remain fixed.
    Keywords: Climate change; International topics
    JEL: C22 C5 F14 F18 Q54
    Date: 2023–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bca:bocawp:23-8&r=tre
  7. By: Ruslan Gulidov; Pavel Pokrashenko; Nikolay Strelov; Elena Zadirej (Federal Autonomous Scientific Institution «Eastern State Planning Center»)
    Abstract: In this review, based on the analysis of the theory of the Cost-Benefit Analysis method (CBA) and its application, the authors determine the presence of features specific to the application of the method in the transport sector. The main stages of the CBA fell into the area of our attention cover assessment of the effects of the project implementation; conversion of market prices to “shadow” ones; identification of the social discount rate; assessment of the terminal value of the project and risk and sustainability analysis. The paper shows that the main features of the application of the CBA to transport projects are concentrated on assessing the effects of the project and assessing the residual value of the project. Such stages as the conversion of market prices into “shadow” ones, the calculation of the social discount rate and risk analysis do not have industry specifics. In addition to the existing practice, the authors found that for transport projects, it is necessary to separately appraise the effects at the stages of construction and operation of the transport projects since they can be multidirectional. It is also substantiated that the list of effects from the implementation of the transport project should include the effect of income from increased employment during the construction phase, but only if the economy is not in a state of full employment output in the “without project” situation
    Keywords: project viability; economic efficiency; investment project; cba; social discount rate; transportation project
    JEL: E22 H21 H43 H54 R41
    Date: 2022–12
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:aln:wpaper:350-00001-21-4-2&r=tre
  8. By: Kim, Kyoung You (Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade); Cho, Cheul (Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade)
    Abstract: Due to the large proportion of emissions which the transportation sector accounts for and the comparative ease with which emissions from this sector can be managed, key countries are tightening emissions regulations in the transportation sector. To this end, various proclamations have been made and many policies have been proposed. Korea has announced robust measures to achieve a carbon-neutral automotive sector by 2050. But carbon neutrality regulations put in place during the transition from ICE vehicles to electric-powered vehicles must consider Korea’s industrial competitiveness and the global market strategies of Korean companies. As Korea’s automotive sector relies heavily on foreign markets, carbon neutral strategies must track international trends. At the same time, the country needs to develop and pursue appropriate strategies that will minimize negative impacts to its domestic industries. This paper explores measures to accelerate growth in the industrial ecosystem of the electric-powered vehicle sector while also supporting a smooth transition to carbon neutrality.
    Keywords: automotive industry; auto industry; exports; vehicle exports; carbon neutrality; climate change; emissions; electric vehicles; industrial structure; net zero; environmental policy; industrial policy; industrial strategy; export policy; export strategy; innovation; innovation policy
    JEL: E22 E23 E61 F02 F13 F23 F64 L16 L22 L52 L53 L62 O33 O38 Q52 Q55 Q58
    Date: 2021–09–15
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ris:kietia:2021_017&r=tre
  9. By: Nguyen, Peter; Barajas, Jesus M
    Abstract: Lowering vehicle miles traveled (VMT) to meet greenhouse gas reduction targets through land use and transportation planning and investments is a primary goal of planning organizations in California. This report provides information about the landscape of methods and tools available to regional and local governments to evaluate the land use efficiency and equity within their jurisdictions. This study draws on an evaluation of web-based tools for analyzing VMT generation, gentrification, and equity, and a stakeholder workshop to identify promising practices and opportunities for improvement with respect to planning tools to support land use efficiency. Most of the 11 tools analyzed were easy to use, providing ease of navigation and interactive, intuitive interfaces. Some were static with minimal or no documentation to help understand how to use them. None of the tools reviewed addressed all three issues of VMT generation, gentrification, and equity that were the focus of the study. However, the three tools addressed VMT and equity together were intuitive to use and provided multiple indicators for which to visualize outcomes relevant to VMT and equity. Stakeholders from metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), city governments, and county governments discussed and gaps of existing land use efficiency tools and the potential need for a new tool development or improvements to existing tools. Participants saw the value of existing quantitative mapping tools supporting their evaluations of proposed planning projects as well as helping to facilitate conversations among staff about the impacts and potential VMT or greenhouse gas emissions reductions. Key gaps included transferability of data and analyses across scales and limited data available for rural areas. Participants saw the need for a new tool that could integrate localized data with statewide data. The findings can inform interagency collaboration around equity analysis and tool development. View the NCST Project Webpage
    Keywords: Engineering, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Transportation equity, planning tools, land use, VMT, gentrification
    Date: 2023–02–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cdl:itsdav:qt8k57x7qz&r=tre
  10. By: Parkhomenko, Andrii; Delventhal, Matthew J
    Abstract: Telecommuting came roaring to the forefront of the American workplace in the spring of 2020. While no more than 8% of work was done remotely in 2019, shutdowns and social-distancing policies introduced at the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic pushed more than 1 out of every 3 American workers to telecommute. To reflect this shift, the research team aimed to update the spatial modeling toolbox to allow remote employment and develop a quantitative framework capable of analyzing the full range of reallocations, both within and across cities, which may result from its increasing popularity. The researchers build a quantitative spatial model in which some workers can substitute on-site effort with work done from home. The team quantifies their framework to match the distribution of jobs and residents across 4, 502 U.S. locations. A permanent increase in the attractiveness of telework results in a rich non-monotonic pattern of reallocations within and across cities. Workers who can telecommute experience welfare gains, and those who cannot suffer losses. Additionally, broader access to jobs reduces inequality across residential locations. The framework robustly predicts changes in residents and housing prices observed 2019—2021. View the NCST Project Webpage
    Keywords: Engineering, Urban, work from home, commuting, spatial equilibrium
    Date: 2023–02–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cdl:itsdav:qt97q6c2rg&r=tre

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