bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microscopic modelling of motorway diverges
Authors: Wall G. T. , Hounsell N. B.
Published: November 2023

This paper describes research looking at the design and operation of motorway diverges using the microscopic computer program SISTM. A diverge is the area of the motorway or other major road where drivers can leave the main carriageway. Low cost measures including the installation of alternative designs (such as the Ghost Island diverge) are assessed which could improve the operation, capacity and driving behaviour at the diverge. Following on from a recent study reviewing the diverging flow-region diagram (used in the UK as a tool to help traffic engineers select the most suitable diverge layout for a particular site with given downstream mainline and diverging flows), it was thought that microscopic models could offer potential benefits in confirming such a choice (particularly in border line situations) as driving behaviour aspects which affect capacity are not catered for in the diagram. SISTM has been used to evaluate existing and alternative diverge layouts in terms of their throughput as well as several other parameters. Modelled and observed data for the speed-flow relationship and the lane distribution of the mainline was compared and differences noted in order that the results could be interpreted correctly. A theoretical comparison of four layouts was carried out; Taper, Parallel, Taper lane drop and Ghost Island diverge. The link between throughput and lane distribution on the mainline before the diverge was also assessed as well as the importance of lane and exit choice. This research presents a summary of some of the key results from the modelling along with a discussion of their accuracy and application. Conclusions and recommendations are made with regard to design implications for diverges along with a list of modelling requirements (essential and desirable) for motorway diverges.
Editorial
Authors: Lanzendorf Martin , Gather Matthias
Published: November 2023

During the last 15 years most central and east european countries faced an era of institutional, economic and demographic transition. With the fall of the wall and the end of the Soviet Union, the former socialist countries transformed their political, economic and social institutions; today, some of them are already a member state of the European Union. The re- unificated Germany was not only affected by this process in its eastern part, the former German Democratic Republic (GDR), where the political and institutional structures were entirely exchanged; with the end of the “Rheinische Bundesrepublik”, the incarnation of a welfare and growth oriented Fordist society, also former West Germany had to adapt to this transition and still is facing a process of institutional modernisation.
Public Transport in Bielefeld (Germany) and Berne (Switzerland) since 1950
Authors: Haefeli Ueli
Published: November 2023

The case studies of Berne and Bielefeld show two cities, that are in many regards quite comparable but with enormous differences in their transport sector. In the agglomeration of Berne 26% of all trips are made by public transport compared with only 15% in Bielefeld. This questions some of the well-established results of international comparative research on urban transport policies. Without denying the importance of land-use patterns and other often used explanations such as gas prices, income or car ownership, it seems obvious that these factors cannot sufficiently explain why transport systems in Berne and Bielefeld differ so much. More attention should be paid to historical and institutional explanations. The case studies show that the most important decisions for the development and efficiency of the future transport sector were made in the mid 60s, years before the so-called “environmental turn” of 1970. External incentives to build costly and inefficient infrastructure were much stronger in Bielefeld, with the result that the uncovered costs per ride were several times higher than in Berne in 1995. These results underline the importance of comparative in-depth case studies of urban transport policy.
Driver acceptance of mandatory intelligent speed adaptation
Authors: Katteler Herman
Published: November 2023

This paper examines driver acceptance of mandatory ISA. This intervening system that prevents the driver from exceeding local limits runs the risk of insufficient support of stakeholders and drivers because behaviour is restrained. At the same time, the expected impact on efficiency and traffic safety might be greater than the effects of permissive systems. Measuring driver acceptance was a major objective of a Dutch field test involving 120 test drivers who used the mandatory ISA system during six weeks. The research design included three different reference groups with varying degree of ISA exposure. The major research question addressed in the paper is the acceptance level of mandatory ISA among drivers who experience the system. The related question whether acquaintance with automatically enforced speed adaptation goes with either a lower or a higher level of acceptance is discussed. The acceptance data show considerable similarities with the Hawthorne effect. It is concluded that the level of acceptance of mandatory ISA is fairly high - higher than expected - and that experience results in a higher acceptance level.
Examination of the viability of co-operative road-vehicle systems using qualitative data analysis
Authors: Walta L. , van Driel C. J. G. , Krikke R. H. , van Arem B.
Published: November 2023

Co-operative road-vehicle systems, such as dynamic navigation and in a later stadium traffic-responsive adaptive cruise control, are expected to contribute to traffic safety and efficiency. However, it is not yet clear which concepts of co-operative systems would be viable from an implementation point of view. Therefore, the objective of the research presented in this paper was to gain knowledge into the expectations about co-operative road- vehicle systems and the driving forces and barriers of stakeholders. To obtain this information, semi-structured interviews were held with six experts and seventeen stakeholders. The qualitative interview data was structured in a database that was used to perform the analysis.

Of all the concepts of co-operative road-vehicle systems mentioned by the interview participants, five were recognised as potentially viable: Navigation systems, Intelligent Speed Adaptation (ISA), Traffic responsive Adaptive Cruise Control, Intersection support and Information systems. A deployment path for these systems was constructed based on the two main routes for deployment recognised that focused on Telematics and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems respectively.

Two viable concepts were identified at the point where positive expectations about cooperative road-vehicle systems and the driving forces of stakeholders coincided. Obligatory half-open ISA relieves barriers such as market penetration and profitability and is expected to have positive effects on efficiency and safety. A multifunctional information platform would increase efficiency for commercial transportation.
Product liability for ADAS; legal and human factors perspectives
Authors: van Wees Kiliaan , Brookhuis Karel
Published: November 2023

A variety of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) has been and is still being developed, aiming to make car driving more comfortable and safe, while at the same time enhancing traffic efficiency. However, the successful implementation of ADAS is affected by a variety of technical and non-technical issues, one of them being possible implications in the field of legal liability. Potential liability of system developers and car manufacturers is often labelled as a barrier for the rapid deployment of new technology.

In the present contribution the European Product Liability Directive’s concept of a defective product is described and analysed from both a legal and a human factors perspective. In legal debates concerning product liability, generally two different approaches can be distinguished, one which is based on consumer expectations and a second which focuses, rather, on a risk-benefit analysis. As will be explained, the two may be seen as complementary and not as being mutually exclusive.Both tests can only be properly applied with the help of human factor expertise.
Special issue
Authors: Black William R , Nijkamp Peter , Reggiani Aura
Published: November 2023

Mobility as a key feature of a modern society takes place at all geographic scales. The past decades have witnessed an enormous and unprecedented increase in the volume of intercontinental transport (e.g., between Europe and North-America, and between Asia and North-America) (Black and Nijkamp, 2002). Interestingly enough, a similar development is also present at a local level, where not only the activity radius is increasing, but also the frequency of trips. Geographically, our world is becoming less distant (resembling a ‘small world network’; see, e.g., Barabasi, 2002 and Watts, 1999) and more local and close-by, the so-called ‘global village’ (Poot, 2004).
Societal trends, mobility behaviour and sustainable transport in Europe and North America
Authors: Rudinger Georg , Donaghy Kieran , Poppelreuter Stefan
Published: November 2023

This contribution describes the work of Focus Group three of the European Union network Sustainable Transport in Europe and Links and Liaisons to America (STELLA). It examines especially social and behavioural aspects of sustainable transport from a transatlantic perspective. Significant societal trends (e.g. the ageing of societies) are surveyed and their implications for mobility behaviour are drawn. The sustainability of this behaviour is considered along with constraints and drivers of this behaviour in Europe and North America. The contribution takes up relevant policy issues and concludes with a discussion of a transatlantic research agenda on social and behavioural aspects of sustainable transport.
Book Review T. Rothengatter & R.D. Huguenin (Eds.) Traffic and transport psychology: Theory and applications. Amsterdam, Elsevier
Authors: Gärling Tommy
Published: November 2023

The book is the selected proceedings of the second international conference of traffic and transport psychology (TTP) held in Bern, Switzerland, in 2000. The first conference took place 1996 in Valencia, Spain, the third 2004 in Nottingham, UK (Rothengatter & CarbobellVaja, 1997; Underwood, 2005). A casual look at the three volumes from the conferences indicates that their structure and contents are similar. In the volume under review, keynote lectures, selected papers and poster presentations are included. A first part contains an introduction by the editors and three chapters addressing the general issue of theory in a field of applied research such as TTP. The remaining parts are dominated by reported empirical studies with some interspersed overview, conceptual, or discussion chapters. Truthfully representing current TTP research, these include road user characteristics (cognition and performance, social and differential psychology, and impairment), road safety (driver information and support systems, enforcement and training, and selection and rehabilitation), and mobility and the environment
Book Review S. Røed-Larsen, J. Stoop and E. Funnemark Shaping Public Safety Investigations of Accidents in Europe
Authors: Elvik Rune
Published: November 2023

Shaping public safety investigations of accidents in Europe is a book edited by Sverre Røed Larsen, John Stoop and Espen Funnemark. The book is a report from the European Safety, Reliability and Data Association (ESreDA), published in 2005 by Det norske Veritas (ISBN 82 5150304 3). The book consists of two parts. The first part of the book, written by the three editors, provides an overview of the current state-of-the-art of public safety investigations of major accidents in Europe. The second part of the book consists of eight papers by different authors, dealing with different topics related to in-depth investigation of accidents. The book explicitly lists the audience it is intended for – a rare feature in scientific books. The primary target groups for the book include national governmental bodies responsible for safety, accident investigation boards, consultants in the field and researchers. The objective of the book is not merely to describe the current state-of-the-art of safety investigations of accidents in Europe, but to influence such investigations; hence the title shaping public safety investigations. The book notes that major changes in the approach taken to in-depth investigation of accidents have taken place in recent years in Europe. Traditionally, these investigations were intended merely to identify the immediate causes of an accident. Today, accident investigations increasingly also aim for the prevention of accidents. This means that modern accident investigations adopt a much broader perspective on contributing factors than past investigations did, looking, for example, for elements of organisational culture and safety management that may contribute to accidents. Moreover, the organisation of safety investigations is changing. In the past, ad hoc commissions were created to investigate each accident, and dissolved once the task was accomplished. Today, accident investigation boards are often permanent institutions that cover a broader range of tasks, sometimes including the monitoring of safety by investigating unwanted events that do not end up as major accidents.
Book Review Button, K.J. and Hensher, D.A. (eds.) Handbook of transport strategy, policy and institutions
Authors: Wee Bert Van
Published: November 2023

They’ve done it again! Elsevier recently published the 6th Handbook for Transport, edited by Ken Button and David Hensher, the Handbook of Transport Strategy, Policy and Institutions. The handbook contains 834 pages, pleasantly split into 46 chapters of some 15-20 pages each (the perfect size for a train commuter with one hour in-vehicle time per one-way trip), and is organized into sections covering: • Institutional settings and markets • Planning perspectives • Asset management and funding • Regulatory issues • Evaluation frameworks • National studies Reviewing books is one of those jobs academics now and then do because it is more or less a moral task. It is very time consuming and does not result in any academic credits. The board of the European Journal of Transport and Infrastructure Research (EJTIR) was keen to publish a book review of this handbook. Unfortunately the first three persons we requested to do the job kindly suggested asking someone else, so I finally decided to do it myself, with, to be honest, a bit of hesitation.
Attitudes and Behavioral Responses to Parking Measures
Authors: Waerden Peter Van Der , Borgers Aloys , Timmermans Harry
Published: November 2023

This paper reports the results of a study of attitudes and behavioral responses of car drivers to planned parking measures at the campus of the Eindhoven University of Technology, the Netherlands. In an on-street questionnaire, car drivers were asked their opinion about restricting access to the campus area for cars of non-university car drivers through (i) a barrier, (ii) proper identification when entering the campus area, and (iii) payment. The responses of more than 700 car drivers are used in a multinomial logit analysis. Most car drivers indicate to continue driving to the university by car. Almost half of the car drivers indicate that they will change their travel behavior should they have to pay for entering the campus area by changing transport mode or parking their car outside the campus area. Respondents are invariant with respect to different types of identification. The most favorite way of paying is by bank/credit card, followed by a special university card.
Travel information as an instrument to change cardrivers’ travel choices: a literature review
Authors: Chorus Caspar G. , Molin Eric J.E. , Wee Bert Van
Published: November 2023

This paper aims to provide insights that help transport academics and policy makers appreciate the potentials and limitations of information provision as a means to changing car-drivers’ travel choices. The focus is on a modal shift from private car to public transport and changes in car-drivers’ choices for departure times and routes towards a more even distribution of traffic within the available road network. These insights are gained through a review of more than 15 years of literature concerning the use and effects of travel information among car-drivers. Based on the performed review, a number of generic, integrative insights are derived, including the following: it appears that our expectations with respect to the effects of information provision on travel choices in general may be mildly optimistic, particularly for behavioural changes not involving changes in mode-choice. In the longer term, the effects of information provision, when presented to travelers in suitable formats, are likely to be somewhat stronger than the short term effects, due to learning dynamics.
Mid-term review of the European Commission’s 2001 Transport White Paper
Authors: Stead Dominic
Published: November 2023

In June 2006, five years after the publication of the last European Transport White Paper, the European Commission issued its mid-term review of the Transport White Paper entitled ‘Keep Europe moving – Sustainable mobility for our continent’ (CEC, 2006a). The mid-term review not only assesses progress towards the White Paper’s original objectives but also identifies a number of additional actions that might help reach the White Paper’s objectives and, more significantly, signals a number of shifts in priorities for European transport policy. The use of the term ‘sustainable mobility’ in the title of the mid-term review of the Transport White Paper serves to highlight a key dilemma of European transport policy, namely how to reconcile the free movement of people and goods, one of the basic pillars of the European Union, whilst at the same time protecting the environment and improving the health and safety of citizens. ‘Sustainable’ and ‘mobility’ reflect the two frequently competing aims of European transport policy. The dilemma is further exemplified in the text, which states for example that ‘efforts to achieve the goals of meeting growing mobility needs and strict environmental standards are beginning to show signs of friction’ (p8). Also interesting is the fact that the term ‘sustainable mobility’ has made a return. It featured several times in the 1992 European Transport White Paper, not least in the wordy sub-title of the document (‘The future development of the common transport policy – a global approach to the construction of the community framework for sustainable mobility’ – CEC, 1992), but then did not feature at all in the following Transport White Paper of 2001 (CEC, 2001).
Lexicographic answering in travel choice: Insufficient scale extensions and steep indifference curves?
Authors: Killi Marit , Nossum Åse , Veisten Knut
Published: November 2023

This study assesses lexicographic answering in stated choice surveys of travel alternatives. Respondents answering lexicographically in three different data sets are analysed in relation to how important they found the attributes that dominated their choices. Lexicographic answering is also regressed against covariates indicating commuting situation and socioeconomic status. A larger share of those answering lexicographically in relation to one specific attribute stated that this attribute was decisive in their choice compared to the share trading-off attribute levels in choices. Furthermore, a large majority of those answering lexicographically stated that the difference between the highest and lowest values of the attribute, according to which they chose lexicographically, was “very important”. Relevant variables explained lexicographic answering in a logistic regression analysis, e.g. that the probability of lexicographic answering with respect to travel time increases with income and travel distance. Response strategies other than neo-classical trade-off, e.g. simplification with a focus on one attribute alone, cannot be ruled out. However, the results indicate that lexicographic answering is due primarily to steep indifference curves in combination with insufficient attribute scale extension. These findings have implications for choice design and for the treatment of respondents answering lexicographically.
Supply chain (re)design: Support for managerial and policy decisions
Authors: Dullaert Wout , Bräysy Olli , Goetschalckx Marc , Raa Birger
Published: November 2023

A well-structured supply chain is of key importance in achieving efficient operations amongst the suppliers, manufacturers, distribution facilities and distribution channels that constitute the supply chain. The changing economic and political environment challenges multinational corporations to redesign their existing production and distribution network and to develop new strategies to meet customer service levels at lowest cost. This paper reviews the literature on supply chain design since 1999 with the objective of supporting the development of richer supply chain models capable of taking all logistics costs into account thereby optimizing the full cost of ownership for multinational corporations and allowing for a consolidation of value adding activities in high-wage regions.
Freight transportation flows: New trade regions and trade routes
Authors: Capineri Cristina , Randelli Filippo
Published: November 2023

This paper highlights the trends in global freight transportation which has recently shown intense growth but also a “new” geography of flows. In particular the analysis describes the growth in relation to GDP with reference to destinations (Europe, United States) and to the origin of flows. The trends identified show the emergence of new patterns of routes and nodes. Moreover, logistic services are proving to be an advantage for the Mediterrean area which is the place of transshipment and unloading of containers arriving from Asia. At present, there is not a strict hierarchy between hubs in the Mediterrean basin, in contrast with what has happened in the North of Europe. In Southern Europe, the competition among regions to attract these new flows is becoming fierce. Factors playing a fundamental role in this scenario are: accessibility to the main populated and economically dynamic regions of Europe, existing infrastructure (although there is a need to update and modernise facilities), regional development policies, and, above all, the strategies of the global terminal operators.
The importance of decoupling between freight transport and economic growth
Authors: Verny Jérôme
Published: November 2023

In France and Europe, mobility and economic activity have developed with the same growth rate for several decades. This trend has to be prolonged with short – medium terms. The correlation observed between transport demand, in particular of goods, and economic growth throws light on the concepts of coupling / uncoupling which have been proposed in literature for a few years. In September 2001, the decoupling notion leaves the narrow world of the economists of transport where it had appeared a few years earlier, to be revealed with a widened public, with the favour of the publication of the European Commission’s white paper « European transport policy for 2010: time to decide ». Here, the coupling means that freight transport demand is correlated with economic growth. This perception permits to analyse underlying freight transport logics and to suggest different means for reducing negative externalities. The growth of freight transport demand, usually expressed in ton kilometres, is more easily explained by the rise of the consumption of physical distances than by transported tonnes. The spatial dimension is thus in the centre of our problems. In fact, freight transport demand is function of distances, themselves defined by the modes of interaction between manufacturing units. The approach of decoupling is based on the links between industrial and logistic organisations, location of activities and planning of freight transport systems. The hypothetical close link between industrial and spatial organisations and supply chain management has been confirmed by several scientific works (David Banister, Peter Nijkamp, Dominic Stead, Roger Vickerman). This validation rests on the analysis of industry location drivers. We can then explain the logistic organisations that govern their interactions. The aim of this research is to improve the sustainable mobility reflexion from current behaviour of freight mobility and their determinants. How is explained the trend and regular lengthening distances covered, the higher frequency of forwardings? How is explained the continuous and persistent widening of surfaces of provisioning and distribution? Several scientists defend the thesis which spatial spreading out of industrial units permits the reduction of production costs, scope economy and the improvement of wellbeing. Our work is focused on the variable “distance” like a component of the overall consumption of transport. So, we are interested in the capacity of industrial and distribution organisations to adopt another spatial behaviour. The aim is to reduce the consumption of physical distances and/or to improve the transfer of merchandises from road to other means of transport like rail, inland waterways or short sea shipping. This approach is deliberately registered in the field of economic geography, then complementary of the economic entry of the thesis of decoupling.
Strategies and innovations to improve the performance of barge transport
Authors: Wiegmans Bart W. , Konings Rob
Published: November 2023

The extended competitive forces model is a tool for analysing the barge transport market in Europe. This paper examines several sub-sectors in the barge transport market with the aim of identifying potentially successful innovations and strategies for improving competitiveness. Barge transport faces some tough challenges if it is to significantly enhance its competitive position.
Time perspectives on intermodal transport of consolidated cargo
Authors: Sommar Robert , Woxenius Johan
Published: November 2023

Intermodal road-rail freight transport is often argued to have certain cost and time handicaps against all-road transport. Based on theory defining the elements transport time, order time, timing, punctuality and frequency, literature on modal choice is surveyed. With few exceptions, transport time and punctuality is top ranked, while frequency and timing is regarded as less important by respondents. Timing is excluded in some studies and order time is not found. The time elements are also used for comparing the characteristics of intermodal transport and all-road transport. Particular attention is paid to the preconditions for using intermodal transport as part of consolidation networks with subsequent terminal handlings. Since time aspects in transportation are highly contextual, the analysis is deepened within the framework of a case study focusing Schenker’s domestic transport services in Sweden. Schenker’s time requirements are matched against the times CargoNet, their main supplier of intermodal terminal-to-terminal services, can offer. It is concluded that correspondence of the transport time between the consolidation network and the intermodal network are in fact not a strong prerequisite to use intermodal transport, although correspondence of departure and arrival times is significantly higher for the intermodal relations regularly used by the logistics service provider. Regarding timing, adjusting departure and arrival times by one hour will not increase the competitiveness for the consolidated cargo significantly, more profound adjustments are required. The order time of the intermodal freight transport service is not well suited to consolidated cargo due to volume information unavailability. The consolidated cargo schedule is sensitive for rather small deviations in punctuality.
EJTIR Discussion notes & replies
Authors: Wee Bert Van
Published: November 2023

Starting with this issue, EJTIR plans to complement its regular content with so-called discussion notes & replies. A discussion note can be sent to us by either scholars or practitioners. The approximately sixpage document comments on particular trends, issues or visions in the field of transportation. Such a discussion note, rather than being sent out for review, is forwarded to a number of experts on the topic discussed, with the request to react by means of a brief reply. After having received all replies, the author of the initial discussion note is provided with the opportunity to respond. Subsequently, all documents are published in an EJTIR-issue under the heading discussion notes & replies. We trust that, by extending our content towards including these discussions, we are able to further increase our relevance for scholars and practitioners in the field of transportation: in our view, many of the important transportation challenges ahead of us could benefit from a discussion among experts as sketched above.
Reply: Prof. Ulrich Weidmann
Authors: Weidmann Ulrich
Published: November 2023

The Fast Transit on Request (FTR) vision is enticing: a very comfortable bus bringing each passenger rapidly, directly and comfortably to their destination - no annoying waiting and transferring necessary! Unfortunately, the concept has the following problems when viewed holistically.
Editorial Special issue: Managing logistics processes and redesigning logistics networks
Authors: Dullaert Wout , Song Dong-Wook
Published: November 2023

Transport and logistics are essential to modern societies including Europe. Not only do they enable an unprecedented mobility to individuals, they also offer us a wide variety of products and services affecting our world view and even our portrayal of mankind. The main functions being taken and provided by transport and logistics are geographic and time utility – the former is enhanced by linking scattered locations in a harmonised manner, while the latter is enhanced by offering that what is needed, at the right time. These functions become even more evident as we are now living in an era of globalisation.
An Exploratory Analysis of Reverse Logistics in Flanders
Authors: Verstrepen Sven , Cruijssen Frans , Brito Marisa P. De , Dullaert Wout
Published: November 2023

This paper reports on a reverse logistics survey of shippers and logistics service providers in Flanders, one of the leading logistics regions in Europe. We characterise the reverse logistics activities with respect to return reasons, recovery options, outsourcing, lifecycle length and value of products. Practically all the respondents have to deal either with shortlife cycle or low-value products, or both, stressing the importance of efficient reverse logistics handling. Yet, in spite of the increasing attention that reverse logistics is receiving in management literature, its full potential still appears to be under exploited in practice. Respondents consider reverse logistics processes to be out of control, especially for packaging and support materials and still with relatively modest management attention. In addition, we assess the future outlook and potential growth. Almost all companies expect an increase of management attention for reverse logistics, and the results show a large potential with respect to third party service providers, including decision support tools in this area. Furthermore, we examine the underlying causes of the relatively low reverse logistics performance and point out issues that need improvement.
Rail-Road terminal locations: aggregation errors and best potential locations on large networks
Authors: Limbourg Sabine , Jourquin Bart
Published: November 2023

In network location problems, the number of potential locations is often too large in order to find a solution in a reasonable computing time. That is why aggregation techniques are often used to reduce the number of nodes. This reduction of the size of the location problems makes them more computationally tractable, but aggregation introduces errors into the solutions. Some of these errors will be estimated in this paper. A method that helps to isolate the best potential locations for rail-road terminals embedded in a hub-and-spoke network will further be outlined. Hub location problems arise when it is desirable to consolidate flows at certain locations called hubs. The basic idea is to use the flows of commodities and their geographic spreading as input to determine a set of potential locations for hub terminals. The exercise will be done for the trans-European networks. These potential locations can then further be used as input by an optimal location method.
Book Review Van Geenhuizen, M., Reggiani, A. and Rietveld, P. (eds.) Policy Analysis of Transport Networks
Authors: Shiftan Yoram
Published: November 2023

This book presents a selection of contributions from a series of meetings of the Network on European Communications and Transport Activities Research (NECTAR) cluster on networks. It is not meant as a book of proceedings, rather it brings together a coherent group of high quality contributions providing a picture of new important research challenges in the field of policy analysis and decision making. This book contributes to our understanding of the state of the art and new developments in policy making for transport networks and the regional impacts of network integration. It emphasizes the central role that evaluation, including cost-benefit analysis and other tools to evaluate policy, play as a decision support instrument. Attention is also given to tools that analyze the impacts of transport policies on accessibility and spatial integration as well as to the vulnerability of the transport network both due to terrorist threats and to natural disasters. The book reviews existing studies and advances in decision support tools in transport policy and in broader evaluation studies of network integration and regional development dealing, with important and challenging issues including the impact of transport projects on regional development, equity and social acceptability, and uncertainty and risk. Understanding of these various complexities in evaluation of transport is imperative for the design of plans and policies that can be used to optimize the efficiency, performance and safety of transportation systems.
The Air Transport Sector after 2010: A Modified Market and Ownership Structure
Authors: Meersman Hilde , Voorde Eddy Van De , Vanelslander Thierry
Published: November 2023

This paper outlines the future possible scenarios that the air transport sector may evolve into after 2010, starting from the most important trends from the past and actual market developments. A big market shift was the liberalization which was introduced in the 1990’s, which led to an improved capacity utilisation for both passengers and freight. The impacts on and reactions from airlines have been different over continents and over types of companies. Furthermore, increasing importance has been attached to yield, pushing airline companies towards various forms of co-operation and integration. In the future, some more developments may change the air transport market. First, we may expect a stronger split between traditional air transport and niche markets. Second, privatisation may be strengthening, not only among airlines, but also in airports. Third, mergers and acquisitions may drastically shift the market and lead to new competitive balances. Fourth, the Southwest model, based on low costs and low fares, is likely to survive, although some maturity is observed, but new products emerge. Fifth, the relatively large number of bankruptcies is a new phenomenon for air transport. Carriers not belonging to strategic alliances turn out to be more likely victims. Sixth, increasing aggressiveness in company strategies and reactions is observed, including price cuts but also hostile takeover bids. Seventh, privatization is gaining pace, while on the other hand governments will continue to be an important player, be it on a different front: as infrastructure providers, market regulators and environmental protectors. Eight, air freight is still a growing market, with an own network which is gradually developing, next to the passenger network. A ninth and last tendency is the entry of more foreign and private equity capital, the latter of which may sometimes be at odds with the long-term strategies of the sector.
Consolidation in the air transport sector and antitrust enforcement in Europe
Authors: Benacchio Marco
Published: November 2023

The paper aims at analysing the role for Antitrust intervention in the light of the consolidation trend of the airline industry in Europe. The almost full liberalization in the aviation sector (at least for intra-community routes) leaded to a situation where, at the same time, (i) new players have been entering the market with an increase in competition (actual and potential) on EU routes, and (ii) deep forms of co-operation (alliances and code sharing) and integration (mergers) have been exploited to better perform at national and international level. The paper highlights the economic analysis behind Antitrust assessment in the evaluation of mergers and cooperation agreements in the air transport sector. Consolidated standards for market definition, competitive assessment and feasible remedies are presented and discussed in the light of the relevant EU case law. Moreover, according to the radical changes occurring in the industry – i.e. the emergence of peculiar market forces such as low cost carriers and their interaction with traditional full service carriers – some preliminary considerations are introduced on the likely need for adjusting the assessment criteria for an effective Antitrust intervention.
Noise valuation in ex-ante evaluations of major road and railroad projects
Authors: Nijland Hans , Wee Bert Van
Published: November 2023

In many European countries, the impact of new road and railroad infrastructure is assessed by performing a cost-benefit analysis, monetising as many relevant effects as possible. Considering that noise is a major external effect of traffic, this paper will systematically review the guidelines for monetising noise in different European countries. The study shows, firstly, that there are guidelines for monetising noise in most western and northern European countries and secondly, that not all noise effects are dealt with. Usually only annoyance in a residential context is included. Thirdly, the different prices being attached to noise in various countries are mainly due to different unit values applied to the same impacts. Fourthly, a gap has been shown to exist between the theoretical guidelines and their application in practice.
Variations in urban traffic volumes
Authors: Thomas Tom , Weijermars Wendy , Berkum Eric Van
Published: November 2023

This paper describes the variation in traffic volumes in the Dutch city of Almelo. For this study, we used traffic counts which were collected at about 20 intersections from September 2004 until September 2005. The objective of this study is to provide insight in both periodic and random variation in urban traffic volumes. This insight is used by policy makers and traffic managers to determine a suitable set of traffic measures. It is also a basis for short term predictions of volumes. We conclude that we can distinguish the following types of variation with respect to the average daily volume profile. (1) Seasonal variations with time-scales of weeks and weekly variations that describe the variation from day to day. These variations can be as large as 10% for the city of Almelo. (2) Periodic variations at time-scales of typically 30 minutes. These variations are recurrent and are often larger than 10%. (3) Noise. This variation has a random character. We show that the noise can be approximated by a Poisson distribution.
The Influence of Spillback Modelling when Assessing Consequences of Blockings in a Road Network
Authors: Knoop Victor , Zuylen Henk Van , Hoogendoorn Serge
Published: November 2023

Robustness of a network is a main objective for road network managers these days, and has therefore become an important study area for transportation scientists. This article discusses one specific aspect in assessing road network robustness: the consequences of the closure of a link. These spillback effects have been examined in a dedicated traffic simulator in which the representation of spillback can be switched on and off. The impacts are studied in a simulation study of a road network of a regional size in which sequentially links are blocked. Two scenarios for route choice are considered: a fixed route choice based on a daily congestion pattern and a route choice adapted to the actual congestion caused by the closure. The study has also shown the influence of information which makes travellers adapt their routes. Road network robustness and characteristics of vulnerable links are evaluated for both spillback and non-spillback cases. It is found that a valid spillback modelling is a prerequisite for correctly analysing the robustness of the network as a whole, as well as for correctly indicating the locations in the network where a closure causes the largest delays. Furthermore, without simulating spillback, it is not possible to identify correctly the most vulnerable links for the network performance.
Car Allocation between Household Heads in Car Deficient Households: A Decision Model
Authors: Anggraini Renni , Arentze Theo A. , Timmermans Harry J.P.
Published: November 2023

This paper considers car allocation choice behaviour in car-deficient households explicitly in the context of an activity-scheduling process, focusing on work activities. A decision tree induction method is applied to derive a decision tree for the car allocation decision in automobile deficient households using a large travel-and-activity diary data set recently collected in the Netherlands. The results show a satisfactory improvement in goodness of fit of the decision tree model compared to a null model. Overall, the probability of males getting the car for work is considerably higher than that of female in many condition settings. However, activity schedule, spatial and socio-economic variables appear to have an influence as well. An analysis of impacts of condition variables on car allocation decisions reveals that socio-economic variables have only a limited impact, whereas attributes of the transportation and land-use system have a relatively big impact. The propensity of men driving a car to the work place is higher than that of women. However, the relative accessibility of the work location by bike compared to car appears to have a relatively large influence on who gets the car for work. Household income and presence of children also appear to have significant effects.
Further Evaluation of the Relationship between Enhanced Consistency Model and Safety of TwoLane Rural Roads in Israel and Germany
Authors: Mattar-Habib Caroline , Polus Abishai , Farah Haneen
Published: November 2023

Crashes on two-lane rural highways are over-represented at horizontal curves, and speed inconsistency is a common contributing factor to these crashes. Road Consistency reflects the similarity or lack thereof of vehicle performance along an entire road segment. Consistency is measured by estimating the speed variation along successive geometric elements and evaluation of the speed deviation from the average speed. Because it has been shown in the past that speed variability has an impact on safety, it was hypothesized that design consistency is also related to safety. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between road design consistency and crash probability on two-lane rural highways. An enhanced consistency model is applied to examine this relationship in Israel and Germany. This consistency model is based on both the horizontal and vertical alignments and takes into account the impact of trucks and grades on road consistency. A statistically significant model that showed a reduction in average crash numbers per year with an increase in consistency is presented and discussed. It was found that the Israeli and German models have a similar trend. The enhanced-consistency model and the software may be used relatively easily to determine consistencies of different alternatives during the planning of new highways or the reconstruction of existing roads. Planners and decisionmakers could be advised of potential design deficiencies during the design process and consequently, modify a proposed design and thus improve safety levels and save lives.
A New Method for Travel Time Estimation on Long Freeway Sections
Authors: Steiner Albert , Sick Beate
Published: November 2023

The knowledge of travel times on road networks is of vital importance for network operators as well as for drivers. Operators can use travel time information to improve control on their networks. Drivers or transport companies can choose their optimal route based on the traffic information available and their individual preferences. The presented approach focuses on travel time estimation. The method only requires the time stamps and vehicle lengths captured at subsequent detector stations. The distance between the stations is up to 13 km. The examined network is a two-lane freeway with three unobserved on- and off-ramps each. In order to investigate the influence of measurement errors and to have true data for comparison, simulated detector data based on an existing Swiss freeway section equipped with loop detectors was used. The method shows very good performance for the investigated scenarios. All relevant characteristics of the travel time process were detected and estimation errors were within a well acceptable range. Compared to existing travel time estimation methods, the presented approach considerably extends the maximum distance for which travel time estimations can be carried out.
Drivers of Intermodal Rail Freight Growth in North America
Authors: Spychalski John C. , Thomchick Evelyn
Published: November 2023

Intermodal rail freight service, in the form of semi-trailers and containers carried by rail in coordination with connecting road and water transport operators, emerged in North America on a few railways during the 1920s and 1930s. Experience gained from these early ventures inspired widespread introduction of intermodal service offerings after 1950. Between 1990 and 2005, rail intermodal traffic grew 87.7 percent, from 6.2 million to 11.7 containers and trailers, and now holds a significant position in the aggregate traffic base of the major North American rail freight carriers. Previous research and other sources of data and information are drawn upon to identify key drivers of this growth within the context of a conceptual model. The driving forces include changes in transport providers’ business policies and practices, government deregulation of pricing and other commercial actions by firms in rail and competing modes of transport, advancements in rail intermodal technology, and changes in supply chain management processes by shippers and consignees that have intensified demand for freight service of higher quality and lower cost. Comments on transferability to Europe of lessons learned from intermodal business experience in North America are provided in the concluding section.