This Report covers the interpretation of the social audit concept, the methodology for its application and potential areas of application to Australian transport. The Report also considers possible guidelines and proposals for promoting the social audit approach.

• Social Audit and Australian Transport Evaluation
  
  report_058.pdf
  (3.78 MB)

Recent years have seen a major-increase in the level of competition within the long distance coach industry in Australia. This competition has led to a significant fall in fares and a reported growth in passenger numbers. Initial examination of information sources revealed an almost complete lack of reliable, publicly available, disaggregate data on the industry. Information used in preparation of this Paper was obtained in discussions with coach operators and State authorities, by detailed analysis of coach timetables and observations of coach occupancy. However, information on the size and income of the industry is still based on estimates rather than on any formal industry returns.

• Australian Long Distance Coach Industry Review
  
  op_074.pdf
  (7.15 MB)

The lack of comprehensive data on transport operations is a long-standing problem in transport research. Information on road transport in particular has proved difficult to obtain. This Paper documents a study which was aimed at developing and testing a technique to estimate long-distance passenger and freight movements based on direct observation of vehicle movements.

• Number Plate Survey Methodology for Long–Distance Traffic Flows
  
  op_081.pdf
  (4.21 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)

In December 1986, the Australian Transport Advisory Council (ATAC) sought the assistance of the Bureau of Transport Economics in undertaking a review of transport research in Australia. The aims of the resulting study carried out by the Bureau were to identify the nature and extent of current Australian transport research, to assess priority areas for future research and to address coordination issues pertinent to delivery of an effective research effort. Following consideration at the December 1987 meeting of ATAC the results of the review are to be used as a basis for discussion at a seminar on transport research to be convened early in 1988.

• A Review of Transport Research in Australia
  
  ip_025.pdf
  (7.78 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)

This Paper is an exploratory attempt to examine the distribution of raw and refined petroleum products by all transport modes over the period 1971–72 to 1986–87. The modal shares of the hydrocarbon movements task have been estimated together with the average growth rate of movements by each mode for that same period. Some origin-destination analysis has been undertaken with analyses of coastal shipping and pipeline movements being the most recent. Annually aggregated tonnages moved by the separate transport modes are the primary focus of this study. This study examines petroleum product movements up to 1986–87 and growth rates have been derived for each of the modal tasks up to this date. No forecasting of future movements shares, which would use these growth rates, is attempted.

• Transport of Hydrocarbons in the Oil and Gas Industries
  
  ip_031.pdf
  (3.01 MB)

This paper examines the financial performance of the government business enterprises (GBEs) in the Transport and Communications portfolio: Qantas, Australian Airlines, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the Federal Airports Corporation (FAC), ANL Limited (previously the Australian Shipping Commission), the Australian National Railways Commission (AN), Telecom, Australia Post, OTC (OTC Limited, previously the Overseas Telecommunications Commission) and AUSSAT Pty Limited.

• Financial Performance of Government Business Enterprises in the Transport and Communications Portfolio 1977–78 to 1988–89
  
  ip_035.pdf
  (7.7 MB)

This Paper provides an examination of three tax policy options. The options relate to taxation of business cars, vehicle sales tax and registration charges, and a carbon tax on transport fuel.

• Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Transport: Some Tax Policy Options
  
  wp_003.pdf
  (4.85 MB)

This Report describes a case study of capacity of regional transport infrastructure to meet current and future demands of industry.

• Transport and Regional Economic Development
  
  report_074.pdf
  (5.4 MB)