The Report is the result of a study of the sources, levels and methods of funding transport research and development (R&D) in Australia, and an investigation of matters pertaining to the effectiveness and efficiency of the transport R&D carried out.

• Funding Characteristics of Transport Research in Australia
  
  report_051.pdf
  (3.8 MB)

This Occasional Paper compares road expenditure and road user taxation in Australia with that in five overseas countries (Canada, Federal Republic of Germany, Great Britain, New Zealand and USA). These five countries were selected because they are federal systems, and/or because they have similar socio-economic backgrounds to Australia.

• Road Financing in Selected Countries
  
  op_049.pdf
  (8 MB)

This Paper examines the significance of road construction and maintenance in relation to the wide role of local government. It covers the sources of funds and the decision-making processes relating to road activities. The intergovernmental relations and institutional features governing road investment are also examined.

• Role of Rural Local Government in the Provision of Roads: A Review
  
  op_069.pdf
  (12.77 MB)

The main purpose of the work presented in this Paper was to examine the nature of road pricing in Australia and identify potential areas for improvement. The approach adopted was to consider the relevant aspects of economic theory underpinning road pricing and then to examine how different road pricing strategies have been implemented in a number of overseas countries; specifically the United States, New Zealand, Singapore and Hong Kong.

• Review of Road Pricing in Australia and Overseas
  
  op_073.pdf
  (8.48 MB)

This Paper presents information about the transport sector in Australia. Included are details of the relative importance of the transport sector in the Australian economy, transport costs in the production and distribution of commodities, the contribution that transport makes to Australia's Balance of Payments and some international comparisons.

• The Transport Sector in the Australian Economy
  
  ip_022.pdf
  (5.46 MB)

This Paper discusses the current situation and problems of Australian Port Authorities, particularly in the light of the limited amount of competition imposed by the economies of scale inherent in modern cargo-handling technologies, whether for bulk cargoes or for containers.

• Port Authorities in Australia
  
  op_084.pdf
  (5.62 MB)

In 1985–86 the Comnonwealth Government agreed to a contract arrangement to finance the operating losses incurred by the Australian National (AN) Tasmanian rail system over the three-year period, 1985–86 to 1987–88.

• The Tasmanian Rail System: An Assessment of Costs and Benefits
  
  report_062.pdf
  (11.36 MB)

The Bureau was required to assess the economic and financial costs and benefits to the railways, governments and the nation of several options for partial or complete integration of the two systems. Operational, marketing, financial and industrial implications, and social costs and benefits have been considered.

• AN-Westrail Integration: An Assessment of Options
  
  report_063.pdf
  (8.27 MB)

The car rental industry in Australia has experienced strong growth in turnover during the past decade and a correspondingly high degree of price and service competition. Industry turnover has increased from $25 million in 1975 to in excess of $200 million in 1986, with the four national operators accounting for an estimated 80 to 85 per cent of industry turnover. The study indicates that greater operator access to Commonwealth airports since 1979 has been beneficial for consumers, operators and government airport concession revenue, alike.

• Australian Car Rental Industry Study
  
  op_086.pdf
  (5.94 MB)

Decisions on road reconstruction and rehabilitation are based on a combination of engineering, economic, financial and social considerations. Rigorous analysis in support of such decisions is necessarily extremely complex. At an aggregate level, however, it is clear that the possession of an asset (such as a road network) whose components are subject to deterioration and have finite lives imposes a maintenance requirement if the quality and value of the asset is to be preserved.

• Pavement Age and the Future Need for Road Reconstruction
  
  op_089.pdf
  (4.65 MB)