This Report is one of two that have been prepared in the BTE to review the state of knowledge in the field of alternative road vehicle technologies and to indicate the magnitude of possible benefits (the other being a report on electric cars).

• Liquefied Petroleum Gas as a Motor Vehicle Fuel
  
  report_011.pdf
  (3.66 MB)

The BTE undertook a study of the possible introduction of electric cars in Australia. The results are presented in this Report.

• Electric Cars
  
  report_013.pdf
  (7.38 MB)

This Report surveys proposals provided by the States for investment in urban public transport. As in previous reports, the BTE has limited analysis to benefit cost and financial evaluations. While refraining from direct comment on the administration, planning, pricing and other activities, the BTE has attempted to ensure that the proposals put forward comprise an appropriate program consistent with long term projections with regard to urban planning and social objectives.

• Review of Public Transport Investment Proposals for Australian Capital Cities, 1974–75
  
  report_014.pdf
  (3.4 MB)

The study examines the economics of a landbridge based on Fremantle, and also considers Adelaide and Melbourne as terminal ports for the European trades. In addition, the benefits and costs implied by a strategy of alternate calls at Sydney and Melbourne are considered.

• The Economics of an Australian Landbridge
  
  report_015.pdf
  (1.1 MB)

This report contains a survey of recent Australian and overseas literature on the availability and use of energy for transport. This study is provided with a view to improving the basis for decisions on energy supply, demand and price, on transport regulation and on the development of transport technology.

• Transport and Energy in Australia, Part 1–Review
  
  op_002.pdf
  (3.45 MB)

This Report presents the results of an economic comparison of alternative strategies for the development of Brisbane Airport.

• Brisbane Airport: Economic Evaluation of Alternative Development Strategies
  
  report_016.pdf
  (4.48 MB)

This report examines in detail the proposal to deepen and widen the entrance channel and harbour of Port Pirie. Not only is this the major port for Broken Hill lead and zinc concentrates and refined metals, but it also handles a considerable volume of wheat and barley exports.

Of the various benefits identified from the work, only two have been found to be substantial in economic terms.

These are the possibility of utilising to full capacity the somewhat larger bulk carriers for bulk concentrate exports and similarly, the possibility of fully loading wheat export ships so that they would not require topping up at deep water ports.

• Port Pirie: Economic Evaluation of Harbour Improvements
  
  report_017.pdf
  (4.77 MB)

This is the fourth Report by the BTE on capital investment in urban public transport. It differs from previous Reports produced in that it presents an estimate of economically warranted investment for the period 1977–78 to 1979–80 rather than an evaluation of a specific program of projects put forward by State Authorities.

• Assessment of Investment in Urban Public Transport 1977–78 to 1979–80
  
  report_018.pdf
  (2.52 MB)

This study investigates evaluates the various options that could be taken in improving port facilities in Darwin, with particular reference to the impact of Cyclone Tracy.

• Provision of General Cargo Facilities at the Port of Darwin
  
  report_019.pdf
  (3.57 MB)

Considerable disagreement exists on an appropriate system of road user charges and road investment policies. While some work in this important area of resourse allocation has been done in other countries, until recently little investigatory research has been carried out in Australia. This study considers all roads other than access roads with the essential objective being to show up the deficiencies in the cost responsibility approach to road pricing by emphasising the joint cost characteristics of roads. The approach of the study team has been to derive a reasonable set of relative road pricing strategies, given the cost of supplying the road network, based on the demand characteristics of road users.

• Road User Charges: Theories and Possibilities
  
  op_003.pdf
  (3.86 MB)