http://www.openstarts.units.it:80/dspace/handle/10077/5963 2013-05-19T02:59:17Z http://www.openstarts.units.it:80/dspace/handle/10077/5971 Title: Willingness-to-pay of public transport users for improvement in service quality Authors: Eboli, Laura; Mazzulla, G. Abstract: In this paper, passenger willingness-to-pay (WTP) for improving the quality levels of a bus service is examined. Specifically, the objective of this research is to provide a tool for evaluating passenger willingness-to-pay by considering some qualitative service aspects, in addition to the traditional quantitative service aspects like travel time and cost. The adopted methodology is built on the calibration of behavioural models based on user choices. The WTP values are obtained as marginal rates of substitution between some service quality attributes and travel cost at constant utility. For this purpose, Multinomial and Mixed Logit models are introduced. The models were calibrated by using the data collected from an SP experiment in which each user makes a choice between an alternative representing the current service and two alternatives representing hypothetical bus services. In order to take into account the randomness of the estimated WTP, the limits of the confidence intervals are calculated. Type: Articolo 2008-01-01T00:00:00Z http://www.openstarts.units.it:80/dspace/handle/10077/5970 Title: Costs and efficiency of highway concessionaires: a survey of Italian operators Authors: Massiani, Jérôme; Ragazzi, Giorgio Abstract: Measuring the productivity of highway concessionaires is very relevant, especially when a price cap regulation is applied where tariff increases are based on expected improvements of productivity. Output may be measured in terms of traffic or network length, or a combination of both, while quality of service should ideally be accounted for. To measure productivity we consider only operating costs, as amortization and financial costs depend upon the original highway design and historical costs. A cross section analysis of the Italian concessionaires shows that: 1) operating costs depend on both traffic and capacity; 2) economies of scale are relevant but their estimate is very sensitive to the model specification; 3) there are large differences in efficiency among operators, indicating that there could be significant room for yardstick competition. We subsequently consider the main economic data regarding the major Italian concessionaire (Autostrade spa) over two decades. Revenues increased greatly, even more than traffic, while operating costs remained substantially stable in real terms, as the automation of toll collection allowed the company to reduce the number of collectors by almost half. Finally, a comparison between Italian and French concessionaires shows that the latter have much lower operating costs, which cannot be entirely explained by economies of scale or lower personnel costs. Type: Articolo 2008-01-01T00:00:00Z http://www.openstarts.units.it:80/dspace/handle/10077/5969 Title: Think globally, act locally - reducing environmental impacts of transport Authors: Gerike, Regine; Gehlert, Tina; Richter, Falk; Schmidt, Wolfram Abstract: This paper presents a pragmatic approach for reducing the environmental impacts of transport in the German Federal State Saxony. The aim is to use the potential of pricing measures for effectively reducing environmental impacts of transport. They are combined with less-effective but more accepted non-pricing measures in a policy package. The development of this approach starts with the calculation of the current external costs of transport in the case study area. Second, a policy package reducing these external costs is composed. Third, the development of the external costs is assessed and compared in two scenarios, a BAU-scenario and the policy scenario where measures reducing the environmental impacts of transport are implemented. Fourth, the public and political acceptability of this policy package are investigated. The results show that it is possible to develop a policy package that is effective for reducing the environmental impacts as well as acceptable to the public and politicians. Therefore, such a package approach is suitable to guide future political decisions and actions towards a more sustainable transport sector. Type: Articolo 2012-02-14T00:00:00Z http://www.openstarts.units.it:80/dspace/handle/10077/5968 Title: The realistic prospects of upgrading international transport axes in the Balkan Area Authors: Matsoukis, Evangelos Abstract: The development of upgraded transport networks in the SEE (South East European) region(Balkan), connected and compatible with the corresponding EU(European Union) internal networks and those of the neighbouring countries, is an important means of improving links within the region and integrating the countries of the area into the political and economic mainstream of Europe. However,Balkan countries seem to have many problems in developing such upgraded transport networks The quality of infrastructure in the region at present remains inadequate to support a significant increase in transport flows. While in this part of Europe, after a long period of political unrest and reform, transport flows are increasing in an impressive way and solutions are urgently needed… The EU has gone through extensive planning exercises resulting in trans-european networks for the European Union and the accession countries. The participation of the EU derives from the EU´s as well as the countries’ long term vision on accession of all countries of the area to the European Union. This paper starts with a brief review of the EU efforts to develop a common transport policy in the area. Then, it describes in detail the HLG-SEE(High Level Group-SEE) work , which may be considered as an important effort in the above mentioned planning process in recent years. The proposed methodology by the HLG to identify major transnational axes is outlined . The outcome of this exercise is given, together with the final proposals made. Following this, the paper proceeds to an investigation of the current situation and of the future prospects of the Balkan international transport axes , on the basis of the experience gained until now, and the reality applying to this SEE area. In concluding, the need is stressed, in the name of both the environment and safety, to address urgently the problem of the Balkan’s road network, since the vast majority chooses road as the preferred means of transport for freight and passengers alike. This seems to be a first priority to bring fast progress in this still underdeveloped SEE area and to promote European integration. Type: Articolo 2008-01-01T00:00:00Z