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on Transport Economics |
| By: | Henrika Langen; Michael Doersam |
| Abstract: | This paper examines how improved public transportation affordability, resulting from the introduction of the so-called Deutschlandticket, affected the commuting choices of newly commencing apprentices in Germany. Introduced in May 2023, the Deutschlandticket offers nationwide access to local and regional public transport at a flat monthly rate, replacing a previously fragmented fare system and substantially reducing commuting costs, particularly for commutes across transport association boundaries. Using administrative register data on apprenticeship contracts and detailed pre-Deutschlandticket fare information, we assess changes in commuting patterns among new apprentices between 2022 and 2023. Our difference-in-differences analyses show that the Deutschlandticket led to a significant increase of around 21% in commutes on inter-transport-association routes, especially among older apprentices, those with lower school-leaving certificates, and those in certain training occupations. In contrast, we find no significant effect of region-specific Deutschlandticket-related cost savings on commuting distances within single transport associations. Our findings suggest that by reducing financial and informational barriers, the Deutschlandticket expanded access to apprenticeship opportunities and may have helped alleviate regional mismatches, without increasing commuting distances or requiring relocation. |
| Keywords: | commuting behavior, vocational education and training (VET), D-Ticket, public transportation, Difference-in-Differences |
| JEL: | I21 J61 J24 R23 |
| Date: | 2025–08 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iso:educat:0246 |
| By: | Anthony Wiskich |
| Abstract: | This paper investigates the potential long-run effects of autonomous and electric vehicles, and a carbon tax, on personal domestic aviation demand in Australia. We estimate a discrete choice disutility model with two travel modes – car and air – using Australian National Visitor Survey data and Bayesian priors. We use multiplicative Fréchet errors, consistent with a constant elasticity of substitution utility function for a representative consumer of both modes. An elasticity of substitution of almost 4 replicates the observed transition to air travel as distances increase. Combining in turn electrification, autonomy, the use of overnight robotaxis, a 10 kph increase in average car speeds, and an AUS$200/tCO2e carbon tax leads to air passenger reductions of 5%, 19%, 22%, 28% and 43%, respectively. Reductions are highest for shorter flights, so aggregate emissions do not decline as much as passenger numbers, while the number of aircraft trips declines more. |
| Keywords: | aviation economics, autonomous vehicles, decarbonisation, discrete choice travel model |
| JEL: | O33 Q40 Q54 R40 |
| Date: | 2025–08 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:een:camaaa:2025-48 |
| By: | Bluhm, Richard; Dreher, Axel; Fuchs, Andreas; Parks, Bradley C.; Strange, Austin M.; Tierney, Michael J. |
| Abstract: | This paper studies the causal effect of transport infrastructure on the spatial distribution of economic activity within subnational regions across a large number of developing countries. To do so, we introduce a new global dataset of geolocated Chinese grant- and loan-financed development projects from 2000 to 2014 and combine it with measures of spatial concentration based on remotely sensed data. We find that Chinese financed transportation projects decentralize economic activity within regions, as measured by a spatial Gini coefficient, by 2.2 percentage points. The treatment effects are particularly strong in regions that are less developed, more urbanized, and located closer to cities. |
| Keywords: | Development finance, Transport costs, Infrastructure, Foreign aid, Spatial concentration, China |
| JEL: | F35 R11 R12 P33 O18 O19 |
| Date: | 2025 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:ifwkie:323671 |
| By: | Pogna, Alberto; Zhang, Kenan; Zuiderwijk, Anneke; Stokkink, Patrick |
| Abstract: | In recent years, e-commerce has experienced exponential growth, increasing the pressure on last-mile delivery systems. An innovation that aims to relieve the system from this pressure is freight-on-transit. Although existing research and pilot studies have shown the potential of these systems, widespread adoption of such systems has yet to materialise. In this paper, we investigate the barriers and opportunities of freight-on-transit systems. We perform a stakeholder analysis to identify the power-interest dynamics within freight-on-transit systems. Then, through eleven semi-structured interviews, we analyse the perspectives of each group of stakeholders. The semi-structured interviews allow us to delve deeper into the perspectives of stakeholders on freight-on-transit systems, and with that, identify more concretely what the existing barriers and opportunities for freight-on-transit are. We highlight the importance of adapting the implementation of freight-on-transit to the specific implementation area, depending on local perspectives and regulations. Finally, we mark several crucial areas for further research, barriers that need to be resolved in the long term for freight-on-transit systems to materialise, and opportunities for implementation in the short term. |
| Date: | 2025–08–01 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:osf:osfxxx:m9dgs_v1 |
| By: | Dave Donaldson |
| Abstract: | How beneficial are transport infrastructure investments and other transport policies? This chapter develops a framework whose goal is to survey and synthesize the answers that regional and urban economists have given to this question. Emphasis is placed on theoretical results about sufficient statistics that capture approximate impacts in both distorted and undistorted economies, as well as how new advances in data collection and causal inference are poised to leverage these theoretical results and thereby modernize and extend standard templates for infrastructure and policy evaluation. The chapter concludes with discussions of optimal policy, political economy, and practical matters of infrastructure provision. |
| JEL: | R0 |
| Date: | 2025–08 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:34096 |
| By: | Ke Wang; Dongmin Yao; Xin Ye; Mingyang Pei |
| Abstract: | While ride-hailing services offer increased travel flexibility and convenience, persistent nighttime safety concerns significantly reduce women's willingness to use them. Existing research often treats women as a homogeneous group, neglecting the heterogeneity in their decision-making processes. To address this gap, this study develops the Latent Class Integrated Choice and Latent Variable (LC-ICLV) model with a mixed Logit kernel, combined with an ordered Probit model for attitudinal indicators, to capture unobserved heterogeneity in women's nighttime ride-hailing decisions. Based on panel data from 543 respondents across 29 provinces in China, the analysis identifies two distinct female subgroups. The first, labeled the "Attribute-Sensitive Group", consists mainly of young women and students from first- and second-tier cities. Their choices are primarily influenced by observable service attributes such as price and waiting time, but they exhibit reduced usage intention when matched with female drivers, possibly reflecting deeper safety heuristics. The second, the "Perception-Sensitive Group", includes older working women and residents of less urbanized areas. Their decisions are shaped by perceived risk and safety concerns; notably, high-frequency use or essential nighttime commuting needs may reinforce rather than alleviate avoidance behaviors. The findings underscore the need for differentiated strategies: platforms should tailor safety features and user interfaces by subgroup, policymakers must develop targeted interventions, and female users can benefit from more personalized risk mitigation strategies. This study offers empirical evidence to advance gender-responsive mobility policy and improve the inclusivity of ride-hailing services in urban nighttime contexts. |
| Date: | 2025–08 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2508.10951 |
| By: | Philip Bodenschatz; Katharina Erhardt; Lisandra Flach; Lukas Eberth |
| Abstract: | Maritime transportation is central to Germany’s international trade, with about half of extra-EU imports and exports relying on sea transport. Much of this trade is routed indirectly through a small number of global hubs, leaving Germany highly exposed to disruptions at key maritime chokepoints. Using data on shipping routes, this report quantifies Germany’s dependence on six major chokepoints: the Strait of Hormuz, the Strait of Bab al-Mandab, the Strait of Malacca, the Strait of Taiwan, the Suez Canal, and the Panama Canal. Results show that in 2023, nearly 10 percent of German imports passed through the Suez Canal, with similarly high reliance on the Bab al-Mandab, Malacca, and Taiwan straits, while dependence on the Strait of Hormuz was below 1 percent. Dependence varies substantially across products, sectors, and trading partners: some products rely almost exclusively on a single chokepoint, while others are diversified; trade with certain countries can be affected by up to five chokepoints simultaneously. The analysis underscores Germany’s vulnerability to disruptions in global maritime trade and the importance of accounting for product-, partner-, and sector-specific dependencies. |
| Date: | 2025 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ces:econpr:_56 |
| By: | Karim Zehmed (UMI-LAB - Economic & Managerial Innovations Laboratory - FSJES, UMI - Faculty of Law, Economic and Social sciences of Meknès, My Ismail University of Meknès, Morocco) |
| Abstract: | This study examines whether the origin of ownership—foreign versus domestic—affects user satisfaction in Morocco's delegated urban bus transport sector. While the public versus private ownership debate is extensive, the performance difference between foreign-owned and domestic-owned private operators remains an under-researched area in public service literature. Drawing on Multinational Enterprise (MNE)theory and Industrial Organization (IO) theory, the study argues that foreign-owned firms may possess firm-specific advantages that lead to superior service outcomes. Using survey data from 11, 646 bus users across 14 Moroccan cities and employing a multilevel mixed-effects ordered logistic regression, the paper analyzes satisfaction across 13 service dimensions. The results provide robust evidence that foreign ownership is strongly and positively associated with higher user satisfaction across all measureddimensions, including comfort and convenience, bus cleanliness and maintenance, and overall service. The findings show that shifting from a domestic to a foreign operator decreases the probability of a user being "Very Dissatisfied and Dissatisfied" with the overall service by 43.7 percentage points while increasing the probability of being "Satisfied and very satisfied" by 40.7 percentage points. These findings support the hypothesis that foreign-owned operators benefit from transferable capabilities and strategic advantages, offering important insights for policymakers seeking to improve public service delivery through international partnerships. |
| Keywords: | User satisfaction, Urban bus transport, foreign ownership, Multilevel modeling, public service quality |
| Date: | 2025–07–21 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05174760 |
| By: | Burr, Wolfgang |
| Abstract: | This paper examines the changes in the innovation ecosystem of the German automotive industry for the technology field of automotive software from the perspective of individual firms. The change of the innovation ecosystem of the German car industry through introduction of software-defined vehicles is being classified as a radical transformation. Focus of the analysis is the beginning formation of the software ecosystem in the German car industry. Based on qualitative data, three explorative company case studies on three leading German car manufacturers Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes-Benz are presented. The exploratory case studies focus on company-centric innovation ecosystems of VW, BMW and Mercedes in the software sector which are integrated into an overall software innovation system of the German automotive industry. The case studies aim is to analyse the formation phase of the digital innovation ecosystem of German car manufacturers. It intends to contribute towards a further development of the innovation ecosystem concept and a better understanding of the formation phase of an innovation ecosystem. |
| Keywords: | Innovation Ecosystems, Digital Innovation, Software, Automotive Industry, Germany |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:stuist:323954 |
| By: | Jan Thomas Schäfer (Chair for Industrial Organization, Regulation and Antitrust, Department of Economics, Justus Liebig University Giessen) |
| Abstract: | The level of government support significantly influences the performance of European railways. However, prior analyses have largely focused on the sector as a whole, neglecting the distribution of public budget contributions between the upstream infrastructure manager and downstream service providers. This study employs a two-stage procedure involving Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and a second-stage regression analysis to evaluate railway efficiency and analyze the relationship between funding structures and performance. Using a dataset covering eight European countries from 2001 to 2022, the results indicate that railways achieve higher efficiency when the upstream infrastructure manager receives a larger share of government funds, while downstream subsidies are relatively limited. Moreover, total operating contributions consistently enhance efficiency, whereas the impact of investment grants varies depending on the specification. These findings underscore the importance of balanced funding strategies that prioritize upstream contributions to foster competition and promote efficient use of public resources. |
| Keywords: | Railway efficiency, Public contributions, Data Envelopment Analysis, Government support, Europe |
| Date: | 2025–06–24 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mar:magkse:202517 |
| By: | Denis Fernandes Alves (Federal University of Pernambuco, Caruaru, Pernambuco, Brazil); André Luis Squarize Chagas (Departmento of Economics, University of S˜ao Paulo, S˜ao Paulo, S˜ao Paulo, Brazil) |
| Abstract: | This paper investigates how spatial inequalities in urban infrastructure shape the risk of COVID-19 infection. We develop a stylized urban sorting model with regulated housing markets to formally link residential density, healthcare accessibility, and residence in low-income areas under special planning regulations to heterogeneous contagion risks. The model yields testable propositions, which we evaluate using georeferenced individual-level data from Recife, Brazil. To address endogeneity, we estimate an instrumental variable Probit model, using novel instruments based on 19th-century railway lines, early-2000s building density, and the share of designated low-income areas within each census tract. Results show that greater distance to health services, higher residential density, and residence in low-income neighborhoods each increase infection risk. The effects of distance and density are strongest among individuals aged 20–30, while the low-income area effect is more pronounced among those under 20; combined vulnerabilities amplify risks for older adults. Additional analyses reveal that risk varies systematically across land-use contexts. Our findings demonstrate that urban form and the spatial distribution of public services play a causal role in epidemic exposure, offering lessons for public health strategies in rapidly urbanizing and unequal cities worldwide. |
| Keywords: | Urban sorting; COVID-19 contagion; Spatial Inequality; Healthcare access; Built environment. |
| JEL: | R10 |
| Date: | 2025 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ris:nereus:021488 |
| By: | Megan Yeo; Sebastian Nosenzo; Sichen Shawn Chao; Ashley Nunes |
| Abstract: | Enabling battery technology has not achieved sufficient maturity to facilitate electric flight for all aircraft models across all distances. Consequently, existing discourse emphasizes electrifying short haul routes using smaller, lighter aircraft. Does this emphasis have merit. We estimate a model that addresses this question. Our findings are fourfold. First, we find that current energy density limitations impede short haul electric flight, regardless of aircraft model utilized. Second, we document that electrifying smaller, lighter aircraft models serving short haul routes may be particularly challenging as these aircraft require more, not less, acute increases in energy density. Third, we identify a subset of larger, heavier aircraft as better candidates for electrification and note that doing so could prevent the annual release of significant amounts of carbon dioxide equivalent. However, we observe that the regional benefits of electrification are highly heterogeneous. The largest emissions benefit is realized in Europe, followed by South America, North America, Oceania and Africa. Electrification flights originating in Asia produces a net increase in carbon emissions owing to the disproportionate share of miles claimed by Asian countries with a more carbon intensive electrical grid. Indian emissions warrant scrutiny, as its emissions contribution most disproportionately exceeds its mileage contribution. The implications of these findings for decarbonization policy are subsequently discussed. |
| Date: | 2025–07 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2507.15075 |