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on Transport Economics |
| By: | Alex, Ken; Lamm, Ted; Kammen, Daniel M. |
| Abstract: | Reducing air pollution from automobiles is a climate and public health imperative. Transportation is the “single largest source of CO2 emissions” in California and the second largest source nationwide. State leaders recognize the need for zero-emission vehicles to achieve statewide carbon neutrality. Millions of electric vehicles (EVs) are expected on American roads in the coming decade. California alone will require over two million publicly accessible EV chargers to support over 15 million EVs by 2035, and nationwide over 28 million total chargers will be needed by 2030. To date, public charging infrastructure investment has not prioritized lower-income and black and brown communities, and electrification has mostly benefitted higher-income, whiter communities. Federal and state funding programs for charging infrastructure have begun directing vehicle and charging investment to lower-income communities, rural communities, and areas at greatest risk of environmental harm, but this investment must be met with equity-oriented decision-making tools. |
| Keywords: | Law |
| Date: | 2024–11–01 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cdl:itsrrp:qt4hj979ws |
| By: | Miriam Stumpe (Paderborn University); David Rößler-von Saß (Freie Universtität Berlin); Natalia Kliewer (Freie Universtität Berlin); Guido Schryen (Paderborn University) |
| Abstract: | This paper presents a holistic framework for the transition from diesel to electric bus networks, crucial for meeting EU regulations targeting 100\% zero-emission urban buses by 2035. We employ a two-phase solution approach: first, solving the Charging Location and Electric Vehicle Scheduling Problem (CLEVSP) to generate vehicle schedules for full electrification; second, addressing the multi-period transition planning problem to minimize the total cost of ownership for the electrified fleet. Our experiments show that CLEVSP-generated schedules significantly outperform traditional methods, resulting in lower costs. Additionally, gradual transition plans reduce emissions by up to 85\% compared to a diesel-only scenario. We find that vehicle rotations with long distances and sufficient idle time are prioritized for electrification, enabling earlier emission reductions and cost savings. This highlights the importance of adopting vehicle scheduling tailored for electric buses, rather than relying on legacy diesel schedules. |
| Keywords: | electric bus; multi-period planning; electric vehicle scheduling; fleet replacement; charging infrastructure |
| JEL: | R4 |
| Date: | 2024–12 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pdn:dispap:127 |
| By: | Brilé Anderson; Jorge Patiño; Jennifer Sheahan; Prof. Kwadwo Owusu; Dr. Ernest Agyemang; Dr. Doris Boateng; Yaroslav Kholodov; Nick Carros; Alex Johnson |
| Abstract: | The transport systems of Accra and Kumasi confront formidable challenges, including rising pollution, congestion, emissions along with traffic accidents. Even though most residents rely on walking and popular transport (notably trotro), it is challenging to reach essential services throughout the city via these modes. In fact, accessibility deserts exist for non-car modes, i.e., it is impossible to reach crucial destinations within a 30-minute walking radius especially in newly urbanised areas. Furthermore, popular transport is not fully meeting the needs of all travellers, e.g., additional costs and denial of access for heavy loads, disproportionately impact women, who often combine work-related travel with care responsibilities. The prohibition of potentially beneficial modes, such as three-wheelers and moto-taxis, could exacerbate accessibility gaps. This policy paper high-lights the need for sustainable, inclusive, and accessible transport systems in these dynamic and urbanising cities. |
| Keywords: | accessibility, gender, Ghana, sustainability, transport |
| JEL: | Q01 Q52 R41 R42 J16 |
| Date: | 2024–11–29 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:swacaa:46-en |
| By: | Larissa Marioni |
| Abstract: | This paper examines transport connectivity in the UK, analysing regional disparities and proposing policy interventions. Using National Infrastructure Commission data, we assess intra-urban and inter-urban connectivity across various transport modes. Our findings show significant regional disparities in transport connectivity across the UK, with public transport generally lagging behind private car travel. Urban centres, especially in southern England, face the dual challenges of poor public transport connectivity and high congestion, while rural areas, despite experiencing lower congestion levels, struggle with inadequate public transport services. To address these challenges, we recommend a range of policies including rail reform, improved bus services, infrastructure transformation, and promotion of greener transport. We emphasise the importance of devolving transport budgets to local authorities and creating seamless connections between transport modes. While recent government proposals offer a promising start, swift action and continued investment are crucial to improve the UK's transport connectivity, reduce regional disparities, and support sustainable economic growth. |
| Date: | 2024–12 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nsr:niesrp:40 |
| By: | Brilé Anderson; Jorge Patiño; Jennifer Sheahan; Prof. Kwadwo Owusu; Dr. Ernest Agyemang; Yaroslav Kholodov; Nick Carros; Dr. Ransford A. Acheampong; Augustine Yaw Asuah; Alex Johnson |
| Abstract: | Accra and Kumasi expanded rapidly over the last 35 years, with residential developments appearing on the periphery, often with limited investments in infrastructure or essentials services. This lowers proximity diminishing accessibility in these cities, especially in the absence of well-functioning transit system with mass-transit, bike lanes, sidewalks, and so on. In fact, the road network, itself, can make it difficult to travel via non-car modes, e.g., limited intersections worsen walkability. In cities, like Accra and Kumasi, anyone living in those areas who might rely on walking or trotros (which is most of the population) might find themselves cut off from essential daily needs, particularly women who are carrying out caregiving roles alongside their employment. Creating proximity can drastically improve the quality of life and feasibility of non-car modes. Even though, there is general acceptance that land-use and transport need to go together within government, several governance and institutional barriers stand in the way of realising this. This policy paper explores two levers to improve accessibility (proximity and road network upgrading) and explores paths for better co-ordination within existing institutional frameworks. |
| Keywords: | accessibility, Ghana, land use, land-use, transport, urbanisation |
| JEL: | O18 Q15 R14 R41 O21 |
| Date: | 2024–11–29 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:swacaa:47-en |
| By: | Justin Tyndall (University of Hawai'i) |
| Abstract: | The provision of public transportation can improve the accessibility of work opportunities. However, predicting the labor market effects of new transit infrastructure is difficult because of endogenous worker decisions. I examine a large public-transit rail project on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. Using block-level commuter-flow and travel-time estimates, I propose and estimate a quantitative spatial model of location and mode choice for workers. I estimate that the new rail system increases public-transit-mode share and the employment rate but does not reduce the average commute duration, because of endogenous worker sorting. Low-income workers on Oahu capture a significant share of transit’s direct benefits because of their relative preference for both transit and the neighborhoods served by rail. |
| Keywords: | transportation, transit, residential choice, neighborhood change, spatial mismatch |
| JEL: | J20 J60 R13 R23 R40 R58 |
| Date: | 2024–11 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:upj:weupjo:24-409 |
| By: | Martin Farnham (Department of Economics, University of Victoria); Elisabeth Gugl (Department of Economics, University of Victoria); Peter W. Kennedy (Department of Economics, University of Victoria); Levi Megenbir |
| Abstract: | We examine the strategic relationship between a city and a satellite suburb. Living costs are lower in the suburb but its residents must commute to the city to utilize an amenity that cannot be made available in the suburb. The road between the city and the suburb is subject to congestion. In the first-best solution, welfare is always increasing in the size of the road but a larger road can nonetheless lead to more congestion even though road use is priced correctly. If the city and the suburb instead act independently and noncooperatively then two types of distortion arise: a free-rider incentive for residents to live in the suburb so as to avoid paying city taxes; and a congestion externality associated with unpriced road use. A larger road can reduce or raise congestion, depending on whether the public good and private consumption are substitutes or complements respectively, but always reduces welfare either way. JEL Classification: R41, H41, H75 |
| Keywords: | congestion; roads; public goods; local government |
| Date: | 2024–12 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:vic:vicddp:2405 |
| By: | Brennan, Louis; Eszterhai, Viktor; He, Shaowei |
| Abstract: | China's EV industry is investing heavily in Hungary giving it an additional mode of entry into the European market. As the EU attempts to protect European incumbent firms with the imposition of tariffs on EV imports from China, this investment creates a challenge for European policy makers. |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:colfdi:306298 |
| By: | Petar Mitić (Institute of Economic Sciences, Belgrade, Serbia) |
| Abstract: | This paper presents a comprehensive strategic framework for advancing the production of electric vehicles (EVs), including the production of EV batteries in Serbia. It first provides a brief overview of the importance of the automotive industry in the Serbian economy, before highlighting the goals of the national strategies, government incentives for EV and battery production, and the adoption and diffusion of EVs. The paper also offers an overview of the use of EU funds to promote the production and use of EVs and analyzes the implementation progress in Serbia so far |
| Keywords: | automotive industry, development policy, battery production, mining |
| JEL: | L62 O25 Q01 Q58 |
| Date: | 2024–11 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iwe:workpr:279 |
| By: | Andersson Järnberg, Linda (Örebro University School of Business); Andrén, Daniela (Örebro University School of Business); Börjesson, Maria (Linköping University); Hultkrantz, Lars (Örebro University School of Business); Rutström, Elisabet (Örebro University School of Business); Vimefall, Elin (Örebro University School of Business) |
| Abstract: | This study analyzes how the willingness to pay (WTP) for a risk reduction for traffic accidents varies depending on the specific traffic safety measures and whether they are framed as public or private goods. Building on previous studies, we designed and conducted a contingent valuation survey targeting a representative sample of the Swedish population, assessing WTP for eight different measures aimed at increasing the safety of vulnerable road users. Our findings reveal that while keeping the risk reduction constant, WTP is higher for well-established traffic safety measures, such as anti-slip treatments and improved lighting. Conversely, new technologies, like mobile apps and sensors, elicit lower WTP. However, respondents express a higher WTP when these technological measures are provided as a public good. These results suggest that acceptance and perceived reliability of the measures significantly influence WTP. The findings have important implications for cost-benefit analyses and evidence-based policymaking in transportation safety, particularly regarding the implementation of new technology in road safety infrastructure. |
| Keywords: | traffic safety; willingness to pay; public good; private good; infrastructure; bicyclists and pedestrians; interval regression |
| JEL: | D12 H41 R41 |
| Date: | 2024–12–10 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhs:oruesi:2024_011 |
| By: | Emelianova, Polina (Energiewirtschaftliches Institut an der Universitaet zu Koeln (EWI)); Namockel, Nils (Energiewirtschaftliches Institut an der Universitaet zu Koeln (EWI)) |
| Abstract: | As part of the German energy transition, the increasing adoption of electricity-driven technologies in enduse sectors has become a key political priority. Decentralized flexibility from assets such as electric vehicles and heat pumps influences electricity price formation, raising new challenges related to the redistribution of welfare gains, not only between producers and consumers but also across different groups within these two categories. This paper addresses two research questions: How does decentralized flexibility affect the redistribution of total system welfare between producers and consumers in the wholesale electricity market? And how do varying degrees of flexibility impact electricity costs across different user groups in the transport and heating sectors? To explore these questions, we enhance a European high-resolution dispatch model, focusing specifically on Germany, and incorporate a range of flexibility options and heterogeneous end-user groups. We further simulate multiple use cases with varying degrees of flexibility in the road transport and heating sectors. Our findings reveal that while total system welfare improves slightly, increased flexibility redistributes welfare from producers to consumers. This redistribution benefits consumers as an aggregated group by reducing electricity procurement costs, regardless of whether they provide flexibility. Among the flexibility options analyzed, electric vehicles - particularly through bidirectional charging - demonstrates a greater potential for welfare gains compared to heat pumps. However, this dynamic intensifies competition with centralized assets like utility-scale batteries. In the transport sector, flexibility leads to notable variations in electricity costs based on charging behaviors, whereas in the heating sector, increased flexibility promotes cost convergence across different user groups. |
| Keywords: | Flexibility; Welfare Effects; Energy System Modeling; Energy Transition; End-use Sectors |
| JEL: | C61 D47 O33 Q41 Q48 |
| Date: | 2024–11–25 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ris:ewikln:2024_009 |
| By: | Karel Janda (Institute of Economic Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic & Department of Banking and Insurance, Faculty of Finance and Accounting, Prague University of Economics and Business, Czech Republic); Mathieu Petit (Institute of Economic Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic) |
| Abstract: | This study addresses the economic rationale behind algorithmic trading in the Electric Vehicle (EV) sector, enhancing the interpretability of Q-learning agents. By integrating EV-specific data, such as Tesla´s stock fundamentals and key supply chain players such as Albemarle and Panasonic Holdings Corporation, this paper uses a Q-Reinforcement Learning (Q-RL) framework to generate a profitable trading agent. The agent´s decisions are analyzed and interpreted using a decision tree to reveal the influence of supply chain dynamics. Tested on a holdout period, the agent achieves monthly profitability above a 2% threshold. The agent shows sensitivity to supply chain instability and identifies potential disruptions impacting Tesla by treating supplier stock movements as proxies for broader economic and market conditions. Indirectly, this approach improves understanding and trust in Q-RL-based algorithmic trading within the EV market. |
| Keywords: | Electric Vehicle Supply Chain, Algorithmic Trading, Machine Learning, Q-Reinforcement Learning, Interpretability |
| JEL: | G17 Q42 C45 Q55 |
| Date: | 2024–11 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fau:wpaper:wp2024_40 |
| By: | UC Berkeley SafeTREC |
| Abstract: | The Community Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Program (CPBSP) was launched by the UC Berkeley Safe Transportation Research and Education Center (SafeTREC) in collaboration with California Walks to reduce pedestrian and bicycle fatalities and serious injuries in California communities. The CPBSP prioritizes working in communities at disproportionate risk for road traffc injuries and addressing the safety needs of people who are underserved by traditional transportation resources and planning. The CPBSP engages participants in active transportation planning and strengthens the capacity of community partners to create safer and more accessible streets for everyone walking and biking. The CPBSP educates communities with an adapted Safe System approach, shares pedestrian and bicycle safety strategies and best practices, conducts on-the-ground walking safety assessments, provides site-specifc crash data analysis, and offers follow-up services to help communities advance their safety goals. |
| Keywords: | Engineering, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Community Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Program, Community Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Training, Comunidades Activas y Seguras, pedestrian safety, bicycle safety, Safe System approach |
| Date: | 2024–11–01 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cdl:itsrrp:qt2sn1j0cr |
| By: | Takeru Sugasawa; Yuta Kuroda; Kai Nomura; Shohei Yasuda; Jun Yoshida |
| Abstract: | Measuring the impact of traffic noise is challenging because noise sources are often placed to minimize damage, and residents avoidnoisy areas. We use the unexpected change in flight paths at Haneda Airport to examine the impact of flight noise on the housing market in central Tokyo. We find that a 1 dB noise increase reduces property prices by approximately 0.09%, but this effect disappears within a few years. While the characteristics of the properties remained unchanged, the population composition changed and noise complaints decreased, suggesting that residents adapted to the noise, with less tolerant individuals moving out and more tolerant individuals moving in. |
| Date: | 2024–12–05 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:toh:dssraa:144 |
| By: | Yibo Qiao (Nanjing University); Andrea Ascani (Gran Sasso Science Institute) |
| Abstract: | This paper investigates the effect of High-speed Railway (HSR) on city industrial upgrading. Using the Annual Survey of Industrial Firms (1998-2015) and HSR opening information in China, we conduct a difference-in-differences-in-differences (DDD) analysis on 300 prefecture- and higher-level cities and 389 4-digit manufacturing industries. We find that HSR enables cities to enter more complex industries, and this result is robust under parallel trend test, placebo test, instrumental variable estimation, and other specifications. We contribute to Evolutionary Economic Geography by considering HSR as a regional external linkage and by integrating the causal analysis in the study of regional diversification. |
| Keywords: | High-speed railway, industrial upgrading, complexity, regional diversification, China |
| JEL: | H54 O18 R11 |
| Date: | 2024–11 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ahy:wpaper:wp58 |
| By: | Peter Dieter; Philipp Speckenmeyer; Guido Schryen (Department of Economics, Universität Paderborn) |
| Abstract: | The surge in customers’ preference for online shopping has spurred the growth of on-demand delivery services, exemplified by companies like Getir and Flink. These companies promise near-instantaneous deliveries, typically within a few minutes. To fulfill this promise, multiple micro-warehouses and a courier fleet using e-bikes are employed. To address this problem, the current practice of logistics companies is to statically define spatial areas as polygons for each micro-warehouse and assign all customers within this polygon to the respective warehouse. However, such a static assignment neglects real-time information that might be used to achieve a better workload balance of orders between warehouses. In this work, we suggest a dynamic assignment of orders to warehouses and couriers based on the current workload and previously assigned orders to the warehouses. The problem is formalized as a sequential decision problem, as customers arrive dynamically over time. The goal is to minimize total delays. Because of the time commitment and the unpredictability of customer orders, it is not possible to plan in advance and a strategy is needed to make decisions immediately. We develop a decision policy to solve the considered problem and apply it to problem instances on a simplified grid as well as to instances derived from real-world data of Chicago. Our method is benchmarked to current practices from the industry, showing that a dynamic assignment can substantially reduce delays. |
| Date: | 2024–12 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pdn:dispap:126 |