José I. Castillo-Manzano

An econometric analysis of the effects of the penalty points system driver's license in Spain

This article seeks to quantify the effects of the penalty points system drivers license during the 18-month period following its coming into force. This is achieved by means of univariate and multivariate unobserved component models set up in a state space framework estimated using maximum likelihood. A detailed intervention analysis is carried out in order to test for the effects and their duration of the introduction of the penalty points system drivers license in Spain. Other variables, mainly indicators of the level of economic activity in Spain, are also considered. Among the main effects, we can mention an average reduction of almost 12.6% in the number of deaths in highway accidents. It would take at least 2 years for that effect to disappear. For the rest of the safety indicator variables (vehicle occupants injured in highway accidents and vehicle occupants injured in accidents built-up areas) the effects disappeared 1 year after the law coming into force.

Can Fear of Going to Jail Reduce the Number of Road Fatalities? The Spanish Experience

The goal of this article is to evaluate the impact of the drastic Spanish Penal Code reform on the number of road deaths in Spain and the time that the effects might last. This is achieved by means of multivariate unobserved component models set up in a state space framework estimated using maximum likelihood. In short, with this reform Spain might be considered to be closing the final gap that kept it apart from other developed countries as far as the road accident rate is concerned. We have found two different types of effects on Spanish road traffic fatalities. Initially, a month before the reform was passed there was a 24.7 percent fall in Spanish road deaths. After the Bill had been passed and for the following thirteen months, thereductionstayed at a constant sixteen percent. This reform has reduced Spanish road fatalities by 534 in all between November 2007 and December 2008 and the effects will foreseeably continue during 2009.

Can health public expenditure reduce the tragic consequences of road traffic accidents? The EU-27 experience

This study uses data for the EU-27 countries in the period 1999–2009 to estimate determinants of road traffic fatality rates. Controlling for country attributes and road safety policy variables, we examine the influence of variables related with the national health systems; the number of hospital beds per square kilometer, and the percentage of health expenditures over gross domestic product. We find evidence that the density of hospital beds contributes to the fall in traffic-related fatalities. Furthermore, the quality of general medical facilities and technology associated with increases in health expenditure may be also a relevant factor in reducing road traffic fatalities.

Competition Between New Port Governance Models on the Iberian Peninsula

The aim of this article is to analyze the interaction between port devolution processes in Portugal and Spain in their common geographical environment, the Iberian Peninsula. Firstly a review is done of the different port devolution processes in the world which specifically analyses the transition of numerous public and centralized ports to the landlord model. Among the conclusions that we can highlight with respect to the Iberian port systems are the need for a reflection process before any change is made to the port governance model, and greater cooperation between the two countries to avoid any possible future port tariff price wars. The over-investment process that the Spanish port devolution process, especially, has generated must also be mentioned, for highlighting once again the almost inexhaustible ability of ports to eat up public funds for investment that precludes profitability.

Check-in services and passenger behaviour: Self service technologies in airport systems

The need for airports to optimise space and the need for airlines to bring down their operating costs favours the use of self-service technologies in services provided to passengers and at check-in, specifically. Checking in online and at kiosks in the airport is gaining ground on the use of the airline check-in desk. The objective of this paper is to analyse the socio-demographic factors or flight characteristics that influence a passengers choice of check-in from the various options available. For this a multinomial logit is used and applied to an extensive sample of almost 20,000 passengers, of whom 43% were foreigners, at five Spanish airports. The factors that determine the choice of check-in mode include the passengers age and level of education, the reason for making the journey, waiting time and the type of airline. The universal use of the new technologies in airport management, and the broad cosmopolitan sample mean that the conclusions can be easily extrapolated to other airport systems.

Analysis of determinants of airline choice: profiling the LCC passenger

This article analyses the socioeconomic characteristics and trip attributes that influence or correlate with airline choice using a database of 20 000 passengers. One of the conclusions that should be highlighted is the lack of significance of socioeconomic variables except when the passenger is non-Spanish and the frequency with which one travels. And yet there are many trip attributes that condition the choice. Of these the following can be highlighted: the destination, the purpose, the need to transfer to another flight, the duration of the trip, the passengers choice of accommodation or whether the trip is made on a weekend or not.

Could being in the European Union save lives? An econometric analysis of the Common Road Safety Policy for the EU-27

Traffic safety has become a major component of European transport policies. But the road to a real Common European Road Safety Policy has been a long one. The notion of Europeanization might help to describe the European Union (EU)s impact on national policies, although the process differs from other transport sectors. The objective of this article is to explain the effect of the EU road safety policy on domestic road mortality rates in the EU-27. Using data on European countries for the 2000–2009 period we analyse how EU traffic safety policies, institutions and networks facilitate and encourage the learning process in the individual countries. This timeframe coincides with the 2001 White Paper and the third European Road Safety Action Programme (ERSAP), both of which are crucial for constructing the Common Road Safety Policy.

Tourism managers' view of the economic impact of cruise traffic: the case of southern Spain

This article focuses on analysing the perception that the tourism sector itself has of its impact in cities at which cruises call. We use a sample of 371 managers of tourism establishments in the hinterlands of two Spanish cruise ports. The conclusions confirm the good public image that cruise traffic has traditionally enjoyed. However, the vision that the managers have is not uniform but depends on the characteristics of the tourist establishment and its own experience. Managers also advocate the direct intervention of the public administrations, even with economic aid, to favour the implementation of cruise tourism in their cities.

Can cars and trucks coexist peacefully on highways? Analyzing the effectiveness of road safety policies in Europe.

We examine the impact on the traffic accident rate of the interaction between trucks and cars on Europes roads using a panel data set that covers the period 1999-2010. We find that rising motorization rates for trucks lead to higher traffic fatalities, while rising motorization rates for cars do not. Empirically, the model we build predicts the positive impact of stricter speed limit legislation for trucks in the reduction of road fatalities. These findings lend support to European strategies and aimed at promoting alternative modes of freight transport, including rail and maritime transport.

How are Investments Allocated in a Publicly Owned Port System? Political Factors versus Economic Criteria

Castillo-Manzano J. I. and Fageda X. How are investments allocated in a publicly owned port system? Political factors versus economic criteria, Regional Studies. This paper estimates the determinants of investments in port infrastructure in the Spanish regions made by the central administration. It is found that the use of the infrastructure in relation to capacity has some influence on the amount of investment received by a region. Furthermore, specialization in containers is also relevant for receiving more resources. However, it is found that when greater political decentralization does not go hand in hand with greater financial decentralization, the importance of tactical political aspects increases. Overall, efficiency plays a more relevant role in the regional allocation of investments in ports than in other transport infrastructures.