While a great deal has been written on the theory and application of optimal road price and investment policy, relatively little attention has been given to the subject of roads policy in practice. This monograph's main concern is the latter line of inquiry, focusing attention on the complex of political, legal, economic and institutional factors which have shaped Commonwealth and State government roads policy in Australia since the 1920s through to the 1980s.

• Roads Policy and Australian Federalism
  
  op_106.pdf
  (13.89 MB)

This Paper presents the results of an evaluation of 51 'Black Spot' projects funded by the Australian Government, 26 in Victoria and 25 in New South Wales. The evaluation was based on the record of accidents before and after approved treatments were put in place. In order to isolate actual treatment effects, adjustments were made to take account of the major recent decline in accidents in suitable control areas.

• Cost–Effectiveness of 'Black Spot' Treatments : A Pilot Study
  
  wp_009.pdf
  (3.57 MB)

The Bureau of Transport and Communications Economics (BTCE) has provided a comprehensive analysis of the range of possible measures for reducing greenhouse gases in the transport sector. The objective of the papers from the BTCE's greenhouse gas project is to: provide information on the work being undertaken by the BTCE; and expose the BTCE's analysis to comment by others.

• Costs of Reducing Greenhouse Gases in Australian Transport
  
  wp_010.pdf
  (4.15 MB)

Working Paper 10 outlines the BTCE's proposed methodology for analysing measures to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. The objective of the project is to identify least-cost combinations of policy instruments in the freight (including pipelines), urban passenger, non-urban passenger and international (bunkers) segments of the transport sector.

• Greenhouse Gas Emissions and the Demand for Urban Passenger Transport: Design of the Overall Approach
  
  op_108.pdf
  (10.38 MB)

Although it is widely known that the risk of failure is high in old ships, old bulk ships continue to be used. One reason is that until mid 1992 it was financially viable to maintain an old ship in service rather than dispose of it for demolition. Even though after mid 1992 it did not pay to keep an old ship in service, it was even less attractive to purchase a new ship.

The BTCE's statistical analysis of voyage data identified ship age, flag state, commodity carried and voyage route as important factors influencing the risk of failure. Using this information, the BTCE has developed a technique for predicting the risk of failure of individual ships.

• Structural Failure of Large Bulk Ships
  
  report_085.pdf
  (5.18 MB)

This Paper reviews the physical characteristics of alternative fuels, technical and economic aspects of production of alternative fuels and alternative fuel vehicles, environmental, safety and health issues associated with alternative fuel use, factors influencing market acceptance, and policy issues. The emphasis is on the extent of environmental benefits which might result from alternative fuel and the costs involved in making these fuels available. The discussion covers reformulated gasoline, diesel, liquefied petroleum gas, ethanol, methanol, vegetable oils, natural gas, electric vehicles and hydrogen.

• Alternative Fuels in Australian Transport
  
  ip_039.pdf
  (26.54 MB)

BTCE selected the Berrima and Mittagong bypasses as the first in a series of case studies which are examining the regional development effects of infrastructure investment, and assessing whether significant economic growth benefits are omitted from conventional benefit-cost analysis.

• The Effects on Small Towns of Being Bypassed by a Highway: A Case Study of Berrima and Mittagong
  
  wp_011.pdf
  (2.36 MB)

This Working Paper is the first in a series of Working Papers which disseminates the results of a large research project into the adequacy of Australia's transport infrastructure over the next 20 years. The assessment covers all four modes of transport–road, rail, air and sea–with the primary focus on freight.

• Adequacy of Transport Infrastructure: Intercity Roads
  
  wp_014-1.pdf
  (7.88 MB)

This Working Paper is the second in a series of Working Papers which disseminates the results of a large research project into the adequacy of Australia's transport infrastructure over the next 20 years. The assessment covers all four modes of transport–road, rail, air and sea–with the primary focus on freight.

• Adequacy of transport Infrastructure: Rail
  
  wp_014-2.pdf
  (7.46 MB)

This Working Paper is the third in a series of Working Papers which disseminates the results of a large research project into the adequacy of Australia's transport infrastructure over the next 20 years. The assessment covers all four modes of transport–road, rail, air and sea–with the primary focus on freight.

• Adequacy of Transport Infrastructure: Seaports
  
  wp_014-3.pdf
  (4.54 MB)