Assessing policy measures for the stimulation of intermodal transport: a GIS-based policy analysis

Intermodal transport is the combination and integration of several transport modes (such as rail, inland waterways with road transport). In order to make the transhipment easy and efficient standard loading units are used, such as containers or swap-bodies. As for the main haul, more environmental friendly modes are used (rail and inland waterways) and a modal shift towards these modes can help in reducing the congestion. Therefore several policies are directed to stimulate the intermodal transport market.In this paper, a location analysis model for Belgian intermodal terminals (LAMBIT) is developed and used to assess different policy measures in Belgium. The simulations show that the different policy measures oriented towards the rail/road and inland waterways/road combinations should be incorporated in a coherent, integrated vision, in order to not create a modal shift between the different intermodal transport options. The methodology can easily be extended towards a European scale.     

Synchromodal hinterland freight transport: Model study for the port of Rotterdam

This paper develops a model that enables comparative analysis of intermodal and synchromodal operations from economic, societal, and environmental perspectives. The model captures relevant (day-to-day and within-day) dynamics in freight transport demand and supply, flexible multimodal routing with transfers and transhipments. The capacitated schedule-based assignment algorithm operating specifically at path level allows strategic modelling and evaluation accounting for the freight transport system at operational level. The Rotterdam hinterland container transport case study shows that synchromodal system is likely to improve transport service level, capacity utilization, and modal shift, but not to reduce delivery costs.     

The failure of integrated transport policy in Germany: a historical perspective

In order to reach a sustainable traffic development, the European Union follows the central idea of an integrated transport policy. In contrast to the widely accepted concept, the EU recently had to admit that in fact transport development goes in the opposite direction. This contradiction has to be explained. The article describes the long lasting succession of efforts to implement a far-reaching cooperation in the transport sector as is aspired to by an integrated transport policy. In each case, though, the political idea of cooperation was superseded by the economic one of competition. Therefore, the author argues in favour of a detailed scientific analysis of the necessary political conditions for an integrated transport policy, instead of continuing an untested concept.     

The Italian airport industry in transition: a performance analysis

This paper analyzes the impacts of Italian government actions on the efficiency of 36 airports between 2001 and 2003. The changes have included privatization, enlargement of the services provided directly by airport management companies, through the modification of the concession agreements, and the creation of two hubs. The analysis, using the consolidated two-stage data envelopment analysis with bootstrapping, indicates that airports with a majority public holding are on average more efficient and the presence of two hubs is source of inefficiency.     

Quantity price discrimination in the air transport industry: The easyJet case

This paper extends the literature on low-cost carriers' pricing strategies by investigating the presence of quantity price discrimination implemented through a two-part tariff in offered fares. By analysing Internet fares for all easyJet flights departing from the Amsterdam Schiphol airport between March and April 2015, we search for price differentials based on the number of seats booked by a single consumer. We find that the lowest average unit price is associated with a single consumer reserving 5 seats. On average, the per-seat discount for a single consumer reserving 5 seats is €9.48, which is 14% of the single-seat fare. Additionally, a multivariate analysis shows that quantity discounts are greater for flights with a larger fraction of available seats at the time of booking, the seats are booked longer in advance, and the destination's gross domestic product per capita is greater. Conversely, quantity discounts are lower for longer routes, larger destination airports, and routes for which easyJet's market share is higher.     

The formulation and evaluation of transport route planning alternatives: a spatial decision support system for the Via Baltica project,Poland

Transport planning plays an undeniably key role in the economic growth of any region. However, when done heedlessly this planning can be detrimental to the biophysical and social environment of the region. In transport route planning generally one or a few alternative routes are proposed, usually representing the interest of the proponent. If required, an environmental impact assessment is carried out on these alternatives. Although, EIA and SEA are meant to be effective in taking informed decisions about the proposed route, these alternatives – the heart of impact assessment – are themselves devised in a subjective and non-spatial manner.Such an approach may easily overlook routes, which could otherwise have been more suitable. A planning system that directly takes into account environmental and socio-economic considerations in selecting alternative routes facilitates sustainable development. This paper presents a holistic and coherent spatial multi-criteria network analysis method for the generation of optimal routing alternatives under different policy visions, in a network of existing roads.The presented methodology was case-tested for the highly contested 340 km portion of the Via Baltica corridor in Poland, a part of the trans-European transport network (TEN-T) program. The methodology shows its ability to serve as a versatile effect-based decision support system for transport route planning at a strategically higher level of planning, particularly for (geographically) large-scale investment schemes.     

Elasticities of mode choice probabilities and market elasticities of demand: Evidence from a simultaneous mode choice/shipment-size freight transport model

This paper presents empirical estimates of market elasticities of demand and elasticities of mode choice probabilities in the intercity freight transport market. Results are derived from a mixed discrete/continuous choice model of mode and shipment size. The mode choice component of the full model was specified as a binary probit function. The two modes considered were rail and regulated common carriers (full truck load). Data was drawn from the US Commodity Transportation Survey consisting of individual shipments of manufactured goods identified at the most disaggregate level. Results obtained in this study are compared with those obtained in previous studies, and areas of similarities and dissimilarities in the magnitude as well as interpretation of the results are highlighted. The own-price and cross-price elasticities of mode choice probabilities were found to vary from 1.44 to 1.88, and from 1.54 to 1.75, respectively. The market price elasticities of demand were found to vary significantly across commodity groups and geographic territories. Among the 40 market segments considered, the truck price elasticity of demand ranged between −0.749 and −2.525; the rail price elasticity of demand was slightly larger, ranging between −0.956 and −2.489; and the rail–truck cross-price elasticity of demand ranged between 0.904 and 2.532.     

Policy in motion: reassembling carbon pricing policy development in the personal transport sector in British Columbia

British Columbia’s carbon tax is an example of a relatively systemic climate pricing policy in the North American transport sector. This research uses Actor-Network Theory to retrace and reassemble the development of the tax from inception to implementation. From the fieldwork, six stages of the policy development process emerged, beginning with the surfacing of the concept of tax shifting in 1998 to the implementation of a carbon tax in 2008. This article explores how British Columbia’s experience aligns with lessons from the carbon taxation literature relating to a range of themes including education, leadership, timing, administration, taxation level, revenue allocation and communication.     

在国家现代综合交通运输体系建设中确立铁路优先发展战略

分析铁路运输能力远远不能满足国民经济发展需求的原因,系统阐述在国家现代综合交通运输体系建设中确立铁路优先发展战略的重要性、紧迫性,提出国家优先发展铁路的建议。     

The challenges of diverse visitor perceptions: rail policy and sustainable transport at the resort destination

This paper examines the implications for future railway policy for sustainable transport access at tourism destinations in the South West of England, drawing on a case study of the St Ives Bay Line in Cornwall. The paper considers the diversity of passenger behaviour and attitudes amongst tourist and leisure visitors. It sets the research findings in the context of future railway policy, specifically Community Rail Development and the Greater Western Franchise for South West England. In doing so it questions whether current transport policies are sufficient in scope to address the complexities of visitor travel on such branch lines.     

Air transport globalization, liberalization and sustainability: post-2001 policy dynamics in the United States and Europe

Against a context of international crisis in the air transport industry, this paper examines the implications of the ways in which strategies developed by key air transport stakeholders, as well as the contemporary dynamics of the globalized, liberalized market place, impact directly on sustainability issues. More specifically, the paper has two objectives. First, it discusses the policy ramifications of the interrelationships between the concepts of globalization, liberalization, and sustainability within the air transport industry. Second, the paper explores the import of these interrelationships as they interconnect with stakeholder strategies in the differing geopolitical contexts of the US and EU. Particular attention is given to airline network and frequency strategies. The paper concludes that while the financial sustainability of the airline industry is the overwhelming concern today, if this is essentially the short-term crisis that the airline industry claims it to be, the longer-term predictions of air transport growth will again bring environmental sustainability issues to the fore.     

Socio-political analysis of French transport policies: The state of the practices

The article takes stock of transport policy research which was carried out in France between 1995 and 2002 or which deals specifically with French transport policy.The article is divided into three parts. The first deals with a quantitative analysis of the body of research, which enables us to pinpoint those studies which deal specifically with our chosen topic. The second part consists of an analysis of the content of the selected research according to the sequential model used to analyse public policy, i.e. starting with the construction of the problem and ending with an evaluation of the measures introduced to solve the problem. The third and final part provides a critical summary of the main research findings.     

适应铁路实施多元化经营战略加快发展集装箱全程运输经营服务

阐述集装箱运输在适应铁路实施多元化经营战略,发展货运核心业务、延伸铁路服务链条、开发多式联运中的优势及重要作用,分析影响集装箱铁路运输发展的主要问题,提出加快发展集装箱铁路全程运输经营服务的对策和建议。结合从事集装箱铁路运输经营的体会,就适应铁路实施多元化经营战略、加快发展集装箱全程运输经营进行探讨。     

Cost convergence in the US airline industry: An analysis of unit costs 1995–2006

Recent changes in the strategies of US airlines have led to a convergence of unit costs between the network legacy carriers and low-cost carriers. We develop a methodology for breaking down operating cost data reported by the airlines and argue that certain cost categories must be excluded to make a valid comparison between the carrier groups. We find significant evidence of convergence in unit costs excluding fuel and transport-related expenses, and labor unit costs in particular. While network legacy carriers have improved cost efficiency through dramatic labor cost reductions and longer stage length flying, low-cost carriers labor unit costs continue to increase as these former new entrant airlines mature.     

Teen travel in the Greater Toronto Area: A descriptive analysis of trends from 1986 to 2006 and the policy implications

This paper extends research on urban form and travel behavior beyond adult travel by examining teen travelers aged 13–19 in the Greater Toronto Area. Data from the Transportation Tomorrow Survey (TTS) survey are used to study four main research questions: (1) How has teen mode choice changed from 1986 to 2006? (2) How do these choices vary as teens transition from the 13–15 age group to being of driving age (16–19)? (3) How do these choices vary across the different urban and suburban regions of the GTA? (4) What are some of the differences between teen travel and adult travel? Results show that in general, active transportation has decreased, while auto-passenger mode shares have increased across the region. The younger group walks more and the older group takes transit more for both school and discretionary travel. Jurisdictions with better transit supply and orientation have higher transit mode shares for school trips, but discretionary trips have very low transit mode shares. Walk mode shares for both school and discretionary travel are similar across all jurisdictions, regardless of whether they are urban or suburban. In contrast to adult travel in the GTA, built form characteristics and transit supply do not appear to have a direct relationship with teen mode choice. Urban form appears to exert an indirect influence on teen travel.     

Corporate capital structure in turbulent times: a case study of the US airline industry

The paper examines airline performances focusing on the capital structure expressed as liabilities/assets ratio for current- and long-term liabilities. It is found that most airlines do not follow the traditional finance management practice of lowering liabilities during lean times and increasing them during economic upturns. Only Southwest Airlines illustrates finance management of this type, with positive effects on its performance. In addition, it is found that among all airlines, levels of current liabilities are properly adjusted for movements of interest rates. However, this practice is not extended to long-terms liabilities, where only Southwest manifested proper adjustments. Finally, return on assets has a negative influence on current liabilities for other airlines, suggesting a risky practice of increasing liabilities when asset profitability is reduced and symmetrically, not taking advantage of market opportunities by increasing liabilities when operations are profitable.     

Cost adjustment for single item pooling models using a dynamic failure rate: A calculation for the aircraft industry

This paper presents an analytical model for cost estimation in a single-item, multi-hub (S-1,S) inventory policy-pooling model for high-value spare parts in the aviation industry. The model extends existing, static pooling models by implementing a dynamic failure rate, using a maintenance free operating period (MFOP) as a measurement technique to increase availability of aircraft components. The gained results through a dynamic failure rate show significant effects for a reduction of total costs of ownership and achieving a better operational stock planning, which is demonstrated in a numerical application.     

Determinants of transport mode choice: a comparison of Germany and the USA

Germany and the USA have among the highest motorization rates in the world. Yet Germans make a four times higher share of trips by foot, bike, and public transport and drive for a 25% lower share of trips as Americans. Using two comparable national travel surveys this paper empirically investigates determinants of transport mode choice in Germany and the USA.In both countries higher population density, a greater mix of land-uses, household proximity to public transport, and fewer cars per household are associated with a lower share of trips by automobile. However, considerable differences remain: all groups of society in America are more car-dependent than Germans. Even controlling for dissimilarities in socio-economic factors and land-use, Germans are more likely to walk, cycle, and use public transport. Moreover, Americans living in dense, mixed-use areas, and close to public transport are more likely to drive than Germans living in lower density areas, with more limited mix of land-uses, and farther from public transport. Differences in transport policy that make car travel slower, more expensive, less convenient, and alternatives to the automobile more attractive in Germany may help account for the remaining differences.     

Sustainable transport challenges in a suburban university: The case of the Autonomous University of Barcelona

This paper provides detailed accounts of the transport patterns at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), including its motivations, barriers and user preferences, and explores the main transport challenges faced by the UAB campus. This suburban university is an important transport activity generator in the Barcelona Metropolitan Region, which is committed to achieving sustainable transportation. Results have been obtained through a personal survey (n=5525) of members of the university community. These show that the main limitations for changing travel mode from private means to non-motorised or public modes of transport are: the lack of adequate infrastructure, the marginal role of walking and cycling as a means of transport, and the longer time involved using public transport.