Bart Jourquin

FREIGHT TRANSPORTATION DEMAND ELASTICITIES: A GEOGRAPHIC MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION NETWORK ANALYSIS

Abstract This paper presents direct and cross-elasticity estimates of the demands for three freight transportation modes: rail, road and inland waterways. They are computed for 10 different categories of goods with a detailed multimodal network model of Belgian freight transports. The model, which minimises the generalised cost of transportation tasks defined by O-D matrices, assigns traffic flows to the different modes, transport means and routes. Successive simulations with different relative costs permit the computation of specific arc-elasticities. In contrast with the usual methodologies, the present methodology is not based on a statistical analysis of disaggregate data on actual modal choices and transport tariffs. This is a particularly useful feature since such data are mostly not available for freight transports in Europe. Furthermore, it fully takes into account the detailed characteristics of the network, all available routes and combinations of modes, as well as the specific localisation of activities within the network. Its estimates are compared with previously published estimates, and, in particular, with Abdelwahabs results published (1998) in this journal.

TRANSPORTATION POLICY ANALYSIS WITH A GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM: THE VIRTUAL NETWORK OF FREIGHT TRANSPORTATION IN EUROPE

A multi-modal freight transportation model is presented, based on a digitized geographic network. A systematic analysis and decomposition of all the transport operations leads to the development of a virtual network where each virtual link corresponds to a specific operation, and all transportation modes and means are interlinked. Software, called NODUS, automatically generates the virtual network so that the model can be easily applied to large networks. The analytical structure of the links notation makes it simple to attach specific cost functions to each virtual link. The model is applied to the trans-European freight network for the transportation of wood products. Cost functions are built up for each operation by each mode/means combination. A detailed point-to-point origin-destination matrix, calibrated on Eurostat statistics, is generated by a Monte Carlo technique. The total transportation cost is then minimized with respect to the choices of routes, modes, and means. This provides estimations of transportation services demands as well as modal splits, to the extent that the 2 hypotheses of demand based on generalized cost minimization and market contestability are accepted. A sensitivity analysis on the relative road cost is made, providing measures of arc-elasticities.

External Costs of the Belgian Interurban Freight Traffic : A Network Analysis of their Internalisation

Freight road transports in Europe have expanded significantly in recent years, leading to increased congestion, pollution and accidents. This problem will require the conjunction of many different remedies. The promotion and substitution of transportation modes with less negative effects is one element of the solution. This paper presents results obtained from a detailed geographic information system modeling of the Belgian multimodal freight transport network inserted within the overall trans-European network. The results of a simulation of the flows over the Belgian network in 1995 are outlined, which allows the estimation of some of the costs of several external effects of fright transports. The costs of pollution, congestion, accidents, noise and road damages are estimated at over 2 billion ECU in 1995. The results of a simulation internalizing the corresponding marginal external costs suggest that a road pricing policy integrating these factors could be effective in limiting road congestion, overall pollution as well as the other external effects. External costs savings could amount to about 500 million ECU.

Freight bundling network models: methodology and application

Fac Univ Catholiques Mons, Grp Transport & Mobil, B-7000 Mons, Belgium. Limburgs Univ Ctr, B-3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium.Jourquin, B, Fac Univ Catholiques Mons, Grp Transport & Mobil, 151 Ch de Binche, B-7000 Mons, Belgium.

Rail Commuting to Workplaces in Belgium: A Multilevel Approach

This article looks at the ways in which rail can contribute to sustainability and sustainable transportation - environmentally, socially and economically. Issues covered are Determinants of rail use; Data, variable construction and method; and Results, in terms of how the findings are relevant to transportation policy. A Belgian questionnaire, Home to Work Travel, was used in order to analyze rail use at the workplace level. The appendix deals with measuring rail accessibility

Estimating Freight Transport Price Elasticity in Multi-mode Studies: A Review and Additional Results from a Multimodal Network Model

Abstract The paper presents a detailed comparative review of price/cost elasticity estimates published in a number of studies on multi-mode freight transport demands. It attempts to determine which factors could explain the wide diversity of estimates: data aggregation, diversity of markets, and methodology. It also presents new estimates for rail, road, and waterway modes, derived from a multimodal freight network model of the Rhine area market. Direct and cross-elasticities are estimated for 11 groups of commodities and per distance category. The results are critically assessed by comparison with the reviewed studies. The paper concludes with a few recommendations about meaningful uses of existing estimates and the need for additional experiments with different methodologies applied on a common data basis.

A Decade of Freight Transport Modelling with Virtual Networks: Acquired Experiences and New Challenges

A Decade of Freight Transport Modelling with Virtual Networks: Acquired Experiences and New Challenges

Fostering transport and logistics research in the Benelux countries

Abstract Promoting high quality research and education in the field of transport, within its region, is the main goal of the Benelux Interuniversity Association of Transport Economists – BIVEC-GIBET for short. Founded in 1978, the Association has evolved from a small group of transport economists into a solid and broad-based network of a diversity of transport experts. It presently unites both academic staff and professional people qualified in fields such as transport economics, logistics, regional economics, transport geography and transport law. After a first successful period of 25 years of experience, the BIVEC-GIBET organization is restructuring its activities in order to offer a better fit between academics and leading transport organizations. A first major event took place on November 30, 2005 at Hasselt University with the organization of the first BIVEC-GIBET Transport Research Day. A selection of contributions included in this special issue reflects the diversity and multidisciplinary character of on-going research.

Beslissingsondersteunend instrument voor intermodaal transportbeleid

Intermodaal transport wordt gedefinieerd als de combinatie van minimum twee transportmodi in één transportketen, waarbij de goederen niet van ladingseenheid veranderen. Het hoofdtraject wordt uitgevoerd per spoor, binnenschip of maritiem schip. Het vooren natransport via de weg wordt idealiter zo kort mogelijk gehouden. Dergelijk transport speelt onder andere een belangrijke rol in de ontsluiting van havens naar het achterland. Havens vormen immers een onderdeel van intermodale ketens en competitie vindt plaats tussen transportketens in plaats van tussen havens. Wereldwijd wordt steeds meer aandacht gelegd op continentale distributienetwerken in het achterland van havens, met als doel het verhogen van de logistieke integratie en het reduceren van de distributiekosten. Hierbij worden het spoor en de binnenvaart vaak gesuggereerd als oplossingen om een goede toegang tot het achterland te verzekeren.