The importance of an efficient transport system for Australia is self-evident. Not surprisingly, both public investment and government legislation have been employed to develop transport networks over time. Domestic air transport is a most important component of the Australian transport sector. Any inquiry into the status and future of domestic air transport policies is clearly an important study, and the current Department of Transport Review of Domestic Air Transport Policy has particularly wide implications. This Paper was originally prepared by BTE in response to a general request by the Department of Transport for submissions on domestic air transport policies in Australia. Only minor revisions have been made.

• Australian Domestic Air Transport : Some Economic Issues
  
  op_015.pdf
  (5.62 MB)

Transport planning in urban areas is a complex task demanding consideration not only of transport problems, but also of land-use planning and the provision of other services. A range of service and planning agencies and interest groups are involved directly and indirectly in transport planning and they interact at various stages and in various ways throughout the planning process. The effectiveness of this process and consequently the quality of transport services provided, depends to an important degree on the interaction between these bodies.

• Discussion Paper on Transport Planning in Sydney to 1975
  
  op_016.pdf
  (8.59 MB)

For the purposes of this study the east-west rail link across Australia was considered in sections: Sydney to Broken Hill, Broken Hill to Port Pirie (including Adelaide to Peterborough and Adelaide to Port Pirie), The Port Pirie Bogie Exchange and Port Pirie to Kalgoorlie.

For each section the study procedure adopted was similar to that used in previous BTE studies with possible upgrading options evaluated in light of the forecast growth in traffic. Upgradings were evaluated from both a commercial and a resource cost point of view.

• Mainline Upgrading–Evaluation of a Range of Options for the Trans Australia Link
  
  report_035.pdf
  (6.97 MB)

Planners in all spheres of activity are demonstrating an increasing interest in the use of public participation as a planning tool. Despite this interest, there has been little documentation and research drawing on the participation experience in planning in Australia. This paper presents an inventory of Australian public participation experience compiled from a survey of Australian transport authorities and selected consultants.

• Public Participation in Transport Planning–Australia
  
  op_020.pdf
  (10.28 MB)

This Report summarises and draws together the results of a long and detailed series of investigations into aspects of residential streets, including residential street design, construction and operation, conducted by the former Commonwealth Bureau of Roads.

• Discussion Paper on Residential Streets
  
  op_023b.pdf
  (7.98 MB)

This Occasional Paper summarises the procedures and findings of a series of investigations undertaken to identify transport disadvantaged groups of urban residents. It clarifies the assumptions underlying the systematic planning procedures adopted and outlines an approach for identifying and analysing suitable improvement options for particular consumer segments in accordance with the particular issue under study. The approach is discussed in the context of transport related criteria and the role of urban transport improvements in assisting in achievement of objectives.

• Approach to Developing Transport Improvement Proposals
  
  op_024.pdf
  (9.39 MB)

This Report is the last of a series on railway mainline upgrading options and covers the evaluation of options for upgrading the standard gauge link between Kalgoorlie and Perth.

The evaluation of upgrading options differs in this case from those previously reported, in that no capacity constraints are envisaged, but severe and continuing track deterioration has occurred between Koolyanobbing and Kwinana as a result of heavy axle loads in the iron ore and wheat trades. Thus the upgrading requirements in this case are concerned with the use of heavy rail and high standard track rather than the capacity to run more trains.

• Mainline Upgrading–Evaluation of a Range of Options for the Kalgoorlie–Perth Rail Link
  
  report_039.pdf
  (3.33 MB)

This paper describes a method of measuring price changes at the national level in the road and bridge construction and maintenance industry. The paper gives the results of application of such methodology to measure the price changes for roadworks from 1963–64 to 1977–78 in the form of a price index. This index is a refinement and update of the price index developed by the author for the former Commonwealth Bureau of Roads.

• A Road Construction Price Index
  
  op_027.pdf
  (1.57 MB)

This Paper details how the scope and purpose of Commonwealth assistance to the States (and, through the States, to Local Government) for roads has varied over the years. Other issues addressed include the distribution of Commonwealth funds between States and between rural and urban roads, and the varying conditions which have been applied to Commonwealth assistance.

• Road Grants Legislation in Australia: Commonwealth Government Involvement 1900–1981
  
  op_048.pdf
  (5.34 MB)

This study represents the second part of a major research effort in the General Aviation area which was conducted with the objective of providing background material for the current Commonwealth Department of Transport review of General Aviation policy. This research presents results of statistical investigation into the basic characteristics of General Aviation in Australia and examines the economic and financial issues associated with General Aviation. Major topics covered in the study include an overview of the operational, financial and economic characteristics of General Aviation, the determinants of the demand for and supply of General Aviation services and the identification of appropriate mechanisms for cost recovery.

• Economic and Financial Issues Associated with General Aviation in Australia
  
  op_034.pdf
  (27.1 MB)