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on Transport Economics |
| By: | Fatemeh Nazari; Abolfazl Mohammadian; Thomas Stephens |
| Abstract: | A sustainable solution to negative externalities imposed by road transportation is replacing internal combustion vehicles with electric vehicles (EVs), especially plug-in EV (PEV) encompassing plug-in hybrid EV (PHEV) and battery EV (BEV). However, EV market share is still low and is forecast to remain low and uncertain. This shows a research need for an in-depth understanding of EV adoption behavior with a focus on one of the main barriers to the mass EV adoption, which is the limited electric driving range. The present study extends the existing literature in two directions; First, the influence of the psychological aspect of driving range, which is referred to as range anxiety, is explored on EV adoption behavior by presenting a nested logit (NL) model with a latent construct. Second, the two-level NL model captures individuals' decision on EV adoption behavior distinguished by vehicle transaction type and EV type, where the upper level yields the vehicle transaction type selected from the set of alternatives including no-transaction, sell, trade, and add. The fuel type of the vehicles decided to be acquired, either as traded-for or added vehicles, is simultaneously determined at the lower level from a set including conventional vehicle, hybrid EV, PHEV, and BEV. The model is empirically estimated using a stated preferences dataset collected in the State of California. A notable finding is that anxiety about driving range influences the preference for BEV, especially as an added than traded-for vehicle, but not the decision on PHEV adoption. |
| Date: | 2023–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2308.10313&r=tre |
| By: | Fournel, Jean-François |
| Abstract: | This paper studies the environmental performance of electric vehicle subsidy programs in Canada. I leverage changes in the provincial-level subsidies to study their short-run impact on sales and charging station deployment using a natural experiment setting. My findings suggest that subsidies are very effective at increasing electric vehicle adoption, but failed to induce additional charging station installations in the short-run. I rely on a structural estimation of the demand for cars and the supply of charging stations to evaluate the environmental impact of subsidies. My results suggests that Canadian rebate programs led to an increase in adoption of 93%, and an increase in the size of the charging station network of 19%. I take these results as additional evidence of weak network effects. I propose a unified framework to conduct a cost-benefit analysis. I estimate the marginal cost of abating carbon emissions to be between $311 and $423 per ton, well above conventional estimates of the social cost of carbon. Part of the reason behind these high estimated costs is that half of the subsidies went to infra-marginal consumers who would have purchased an electric vehicle whether or not rebates are available. Finally, I evaluate the performance of two alternative policies: an income threshold on eligibility and a cash for clunker program. I find that the additional emission reductions tied to the removal of clunkers are crucial for improving the environmental performance of rebate programs. |
| JEL: | L91 L98 Q5 Q58 |
| Date: | 2023–09–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:tse:wpaper:128429&r=tre |
| By: | Ottesen, Andri; Banna, Sumayya; Alzougool, Basil; Damrah, Sadeq |
| Abstract: | This paper investigates the early adopter market for electric vehicles (EVs) as preamble for mass adoption of EVs as a tool to help Kuwait lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and meet climate policy standards. From interviews and surveys conducted, we found major trends preventing EVs from mass adoption and conclude with a series of recommendations for the Kuwaiti government that would help EV market in Kuwait to develop their mass market appeal, thus lowering current GHG emissions and fulfil international and national commitments towards sustainability. Open-ended interviews were conducted with all automobile dealers in Kuwait selling EVs as well as with 10 current EV owners, in addition to a quantitative 600-participant survey of mostly 18 to 40-year-old drivers of conventional cars. The survey focuses on whether participants were likely to purchase an EV as their next vehicle and under what circumstances. More than half of the participants indicated they were likely to purchase EVs if there were more fast charging stations readily available, if the price of EVs was comparable to conventional vehicles and if gasoline prices increased relative to electricity. Additionally, they would need to have a battery warranty for the duration of the vehicle. Based on the interviews and surveys, the paper presents ten reasons for the current low rate of EV adoption in Kuwait as well as recommendation for improvements. |
| JEL: | R14 J01 |
| Date: | 2023–08–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ehl:lserod:120091&r=tre |
| By: | Fabien Leurent (CIRED - Centre International de Recherche sur l'Environnement et le Développement - Cirad - Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - AgroParisTech - ENPC - École des Ponts ParisTech - Université Paris-Saclay - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique) |
| Abstract: | Mobility systems in urbanized territories have been featured out in Travel Demand Models by state variables of land-use occupation, trip generation, trip distribution, modal split and network assignment, with emphasis on causal relationships between the variables and on spatial detail for each kind of variables. The article is aimed to provide notional averages, say ratios, for each kind of variables, and to state the causal relationships between the variables as simple analytical formulas between the ratios. This is achieved by going along the classical four steps of travel demand modeling, in a theoretical way for an idealized territory satisfying three postulates of homogeneity: namely, at block level, at link level and of indefinite spatial extension. The said formulas constitute rules of thumb linking the mobility ratios of spatial density of human occupation, trip emission rates, average trip lengths, modal shares, generalized trip cost per length unit, together with traffic variables of speed, flow rate and vehicular density at the link level. The model is stated in eight steps, namely (i) territorial composition, (ii) trip generation, (iii) trip lengths and traffic formation, (iv) quality of service, (v) trip distribution using a gravity model, (vi) modal split by multinomial logit, (vii) traffic laws, (viii) traffic equilibrium. It is followed by a Discussion of the model outreach and limitations. Areas of further research include traffic laws, impact assessment and economic analysis. |
| Keywords: | Spatial homogeneity, State laws, Four-step travel demand model, Traffic equilibrium Highlights |
| Date: | 2022–10–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:ciredw:hal-03805030&r=tre |
| By: | Sallee, James PhD; Tarduno, Matthew PhD |
| Abstract: | Economists have long argued in favor of congestion pricing, under which drivers pay a fee or toll to enter roadways during peak times. An increasing number of global cities have adopted or are considering pricing programs. Even so, these regimes remain relatively rare and controversial. One key concern with congestion pricing is fairness. Road pricing can pose a substantial burden for low-income drivers, many of whom have little option to avoid travel during peak times and limited opportunity to choose other modes of travel. Prior research has shown that congestion pricing regimes tend to be regressive in terms of their initial burden, that is, in terms of who ends up paying more to use the roads.1 But, the ultimate effect of a road pricing program depends also on how its revenue is used. Some or all of the revenue from a congestion pricing program can be returned to households, and this can fundamentally change the program’s fairness. |
| Keywords: | Social and Behavioral Sciences |
| Date: | 2023–08–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cdl:itsrrp:qt6618731x&r=tre |
| By: | Turner, Katherine; Chin, Staly; Nguyen, Andrea; Pike, Susan |
| Abstract: | This study explores interest in, and the challenges faced by transit agencies and operators in the adoption of open-loop payment systems. The research team focuses on the ways that agencies view passenger needs in the context of adopting open payments. Challenges with cash payments, an increasingly cashless society, and the expanding offerings of digital payment options have spurred increased interest in open-loop payments among transit operators. Paying for transit with cash can require additional time at boarding, add extra steps for passengers who must pay with exact fare, and result in service inefficiencies. It presents security concerns for drivers, and administrative burdens for agencies. While the full costs of cash handling vary per agency, the cost of handling and moving cash may be considerable. Pioneering transit agencies are adopting open payment systems that accept credit cards, debit cards, and smartphone/watch-based transactions. However, there is a huge diversity among transit agencies and as such, agencies face different challenges and to different degrees when considering the adoption of open payment systems. Challenges can include financial barriers, capacity limitations, technological challenges, the duration of existing contracts, competing needs, and a number of passenger challenges such as lack of credit cards or smartphones, or lack of familiarity with the technology. This study uses data collected from California transit agencies in the fall of 2022 that gathered information about agency perceptions of open-loop payments and the challenges with adopting open fare collection systems, and whether assistance programs would benefit transit agencies interested in adopting open-loop payments. Results of the present study indicate that the majority of agencies are considering or have considered implementing open payment systems, but agencies are not fully aware of the assistance available from the California Integrated Travel Program to help in the transition to digital and open payment systems. This study sheds light on the challenges facing small to medium transit agencies in the transition of California’s transit systems to open-loop payment systems. View the NCST Project Webpage |
| Keywords: | Business, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Transit payments, open-loop payment, cashless transit, California Integrated Travel Project |
| Date: | 2023–09–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cdl:itsdav:qt63613602&r=tre |
| By: | Smolnik, Franziska |
| Abstract: | Connectivity, especially in the transport sector, has become a ubiquitous issue in the South Caucasus in recent years. Transport connectivity also plays a central role in the European Union's policy towards the region. As part of its Global Gateway Initiative, the EU has made a commitment that is both value-based and geostrategic. To do justice to this commitment, the EU should consider the different dimensions of transport connectivity and their implications on several levels and in an integrated manner. In particular, the EU should take into account the link between connectivity and questions of political power. The EU could provide support in establishing genuinely inclusive and transparent multi-stakeholder processes and independent project monitoring. This could point the way towards a more holistic approach to connectivity. The EU should also critically examine its commitment to connectivity for possible conflicts of objectives. The policy debate in Berlin and Brussels would benefit from a more intensive exchange with critical logistics, infrastructure and connectivity studies. Their findings could contribute to a more nuanced view of transport connectivity and its complexities and ambivalences. |
| Keywords: | South Caucasus, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, transport connectivity, infrastructure, geopolitics, Trans-European Transport Network, TEN-T, International North South Transport Corridor, INSTC, Kvesheti-Kobi, Transport Corridor Europe Caucasus Asia, TRACECA, Global Gateway, Südkaukasus, Georgien, Armenien, Aserbaidschan, Transportkonnektivität, Infrastruktur, Geopolitik, transeuropäisches Verkehrsnetz, Transportkorridor, Kvesheti-Kobi, TRACECA, Global Gateway |
| Date: | 2023 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:swprps:92023&r=tre |
| By: | Meccheri, Nicola |
| Abstract: | In an international duopoly with two markets and two ports, this paper investigates the role of dockworkers unionisation in affecting welfare outcomes under public and private ports, as well as in determining the endogenous choice by governments of port ownership structure. While private ports maximise profits, public ports maximise domestic welfare and face a budget constraint, which is binding when unions are suf- ficiently wage-oriented and shipping costs are not too high. Consumer surplus, total wage bill and domestic welfare are generally higher under public ownership, especially when unions are wage-oriented. The opposite holds true for firm profits, whilst privati- sation always increases port profits. Moreover, relative to endogenous port ownership structures, state-owned ports appear as the most likely equilibrium result although all possible configurations may arise in equilibrium, including an asymmetric structure with a state-owned port and a private port. |
| Keywords: | unionised dockworkers, port ownership structure, international duopoly, welfare outcomes |
| JEL: | F16 J51 L33 R48 |
| Date: | 2023 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:glodps:1326&r=tre |
| By: | Daniel Clarke; Philip Chan; Matthew Dequeljoe; Yuri Kim; Sarah Barahona |
| Abstract: | The shipping industry is essential for international trade, but it is also an important source of CO2 emissions. To make progress towards climate targets, countries need to monitor CO2 emissions from vessels owned by their ship operator companies. However, most shipping activity takes place outside national borders, making it more difficult to monitor than activity taking place within countries. The OECD’s experimental database on OECD.stat provides a new source of data for CO2 emissions from global shipping, which is available monthly in near real time. This data will help national statistics producers to compile their Air Emission Accounts (AEAs) for the System of Environmental Economic Accounting (SEEA). This Working Paper presents some initial results from the new data source and describes how they were produced. The method is based on granular and timely ship-level data provided by the United Nations Global Platform, and it uses a bottom-up estimation approach to produce results broken down by country and type of ship. |
| Keywords: | Climate, Environmental-economic accounting, Greenhouse gas emissions, Net zero, Transport |
| JEL: | L91 Q56 |
| Date: | 2023–09–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:stdaaa:2023/04-en&r=tre |
| By: | Sebastian Galiani; Luis F. Jaramillo; Mateo Uribe-Castro |
| Abstract: | This paper examines the influence of transportation infrastructure on migration decisions in the context of the Great Migration in the United States. Focusing on the opening of the Panama Canal in 1920, we isolate the effect of improved economic opportunities from reduced migration costs. Using full-count Census data, we find that Southern African American migrants preferred areas with enhanced market access, leading to higher inflows after 1920. The study highlights the inter- play between migrant networks and labor markets in shaping migration patterns. Our findings underscore the significance of local market conditions induced by improvements in local market access in influencing migration decisions during the Great Migration. |
| JEL: | J16 N32 N72 |
| Date: | 2023–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:31551&r=tre |