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on Transport Economics |
| By: | Alexander Kunith; Roman Mendelevitch; Dietmar Goehlich |
| Abstract: | The deployment of battery-powered electric bus systems within the public transportation sector plays an important role to increase energy efficiency and to abate emissions. Rising attention is given to bus systems using fast charging technology. This concept requires a comprehensive infrastructure to equip bus routes with charging stations. The combination of charging infrastructure and bus batteries needs a reliable energy supply to maintain a stable bus operation even under demanding conditions. An efficient layout of the charging infrastructure and an appropriate dimensioning of battery capacity are crucial to minimize the total cost of ownership and to enable an energetically feasible bus operation. In this work, the central issue of jointly optimizing the charging infrastructure and battery capacity is described by a capacitated set covering problem. A mixed-integer linear optimization model is developed to determine the minimum number and location of required charging stations for a bus network as well as the adequate battery capacity for each bus line of the network. The bus energy consumption for each route segments is determined based on individual route, bus type, traffic and other information. Different scenarios are examined in order to assess the influence of charging power, climate and changing operating conditions. The findings reveal significant differences in terms of needed infrastructure depending on the scenarios considered. Moreover, the results highlight a trade-off between battery size and charging infrastructure under different operational and infrastructure conditions. The paper addresses upcoming challenges for transport authorities during the electrification process of the bus fleets and sharpens the focus on infrastructural issues related to the fast charging concept. |
| Keywords: | Electric bus, charging infrastructure, fast charging, cost optimization, capacitated set-covering problem |
| JEL: | C61 L92 R42 |
| Date: | 2016 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:diw:diwwpp:dp1577&r=tre |
| By: | Gayle, Philip; Thomas, Tyson |
| Abstract: | Airlines wanting to cooperatively set prices for their international air travel service must apply to the relevant authorities for antitrust immunity (ATI). While cooperation may yield benefits, it can also have anti-competitive effects in markets where partners competed prior to receiving ATI. A carve-out policy forbids ATI partners from cooperating in markets policymakers believe will be most harmed by anti-competitive effects. We examine carve-out policy applications to three ATI partner pairings, and find evidence more consistent with cooperative pricing in carve-out markets in spite of the policy, calling into question the effectiveness of the policy in achieving intended market outcomes. |
| Keywords: | Airline competition; Antitrust immunity; Carve-out Policy |
| JEL: | L13 L40 L93 |
| Date: | 2016–04–27 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:71205&r=tre |
| By: | Anna Matas Prat (Departament d'Economia Aplicada, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona); Josep Lluís Raymond Bara (Departament d'Economia i Història Econòmica, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona); Jorge Andrés Domínguez Moreno (Departament d'Economia Aplicada, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona) |
| Abstract: | This paper estimates the role that technological change and car characteristics have played in the rate of fuel consumption of vehicles over time. Using data from the Spanish car market from 1988 to 2013, we estimate a reduced form equation that relates fuel consumption with a set of car characteristics. The results for the sales-weighted sample of vehicles show that energy efficiency would have improved by 30% and 42% for petrol and diesel cars respectively had car characteristics been held constant at 1988 values. However, the shift to bigger and more fuelconsuming cars reduced the gains from technological progress. Additionally, using the results of the fuel equation we show that, besides a natural growth rate of 1.1%, technological progress is affected by both the international price of oil and the adoption of mandatory emission standards. Moreover, according to our estimations, a 1% growth in GDP would modify car characteristics in such a way that fuel consumption would increase by around 0.23% for petrol cars and 0.35% for diesel cars. |
| Keywords: | fuel efficiency, technological change, car characteristics |
| Date: | 2016–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:uab:wprdea:wpdea1608&r=tre |
| By: | José Asturias; Manuel García-Santana; Roberto Ramos |
| Abstract: | A significant amount of resources is spent every year on the improvement of transportation infrastructure in developing countries. In this paper, we investigate the effects of one such large project, the Golden Quadrilateral in India, on the income and allocative efficiency of the economy. We do so using a quantitative model of internal trade with variable markups. We find real income gains of 2.71% in the aggregate and that allocative efficiency accounts for 8% of these gains. The importance of allocative efficiency varies greatly across states, and can account for up to 19% of the overall gains. Thus, allocative efficiency can play an important role in determining both the size and distribution of gains from new infrastructure. |
| Date: | 2016–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bge:wpaper:907&r=tre |
| By: | Gratiela Boca; Rita Toader; Cristian Anghel; Diana Toader (Department of Economics and Physics, Technical University of Cluj Napoca) |
| Abstract: | In this paper we presented a model for distribution of products manufactured so that the total cost of transport is minimized. The model can be applied to a number of F units that carry goods from distribution centers Cj. The plan allows for the development of transport depending on the parameter Cj. |
| Keywords: | cost, products, distribution, transport, parameter, minim |
| JEL: | C80 L11 M31 |
| Date: | 2014–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:clj:icmmae:1403&r=tre |
| By: | Rabah Arezki; Amadou Sy |
| Abstract: | This paper studies the appropriate financing structure of infrastructure investment in Africa. It starts with a description of recent initiatives to scale up infrastructure investment in Africa. The paper then uses insights from the literature on informed vs. arm’s length debt to discuss the structure of infrastructure financing. Considering the differences in investors’ preferences that Africa faces, the paper argues that continent’s success to fill its greenfield and hence risky infrastructure gap hinges upon a delicate balancing act between development banking and institutional long-term investment. In a first phase, development banks which have both the flexibility and expertise should help finance the riskier phases of large greenfield infrastructure projects. In a second phase, development banks should disengage and offload their mature brownfield projects to pave the way for a viable engagement of long term institutional investors such as sovereign wealth funds. In order to promote an Africa wide infrastructure bond markets where the latter could play a critical role, the enhancement of Africa’s legal and regulatory framework should however start now. |
| Keywords: | Africa, Infrastructure Finance, Development Banks, Long-term Investors |
| JEL: | H49 H54 G30 G38 |
| Date: | 2016 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oxf:oxcrwp:173&r=tre |