This Paper provides a description of the short-term forecasting models used in the Bureau's quarterly publication–Transport and Communications Indicators. For domestic freight, four models cover intercapital road freight, non-bulk government rail freight, bulk government rail freight and domestic air freight. Urban freight activity is not covered. For overseas trade there are also four models: bulk export tonnages, non-bulk import tonnages, air freight exports and air freight imports.

• Short Term Forecasting of Transport and Communications Activity
  
  wp_002.pdf
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Data and information on the road freight transport industry is in limited supply. In order to reduce this problem, the Bureau of Transport and Communications Economics undertook this overview of the road freight transport industry. The industry is shown to be carrying an increasing proportion of total freight movements in Australia, with strong competition evident throughout all sectors of the industry.

• The Road Freight Transport Industry
  
  ip_038.pdf
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Public debate on whether the road or the rail sector is relatively more disadvantaged in terms of competition tends naturally to be driven by the specific interests of the protagonists. The focus of the debate reflects changing issues as new, alleged discrepancies are discovered. It has therefore ranged from taxes paid, the extent of charges levied, and the degree of direct or indirect financial assistance provided by governments, and the fairness of increasing mass limits for heavy road vehicles. It is thus not surprising that the debate continues, and that it is not particularly fruitful or illuminating. The BTCE has adopted a different approach. Given the intensity of the debate and the fact that it has continued for so long, it was surprising that little or no systematic information exists on taxes and charges in the transport sector. The BTCE's first step was therefore to compile the lists presented in the appendixes (to which many public and private organisations and individuals generously contributed). Recognising that all four modes (it was not possible to include pipelines) are substitutes to some extent, the list is not limited to road and rail. Most importantly, the summary matrix in table 1 (liftout) and the underlying analytical approach reflect marginal cost principles in the hope that this methodology will assist objective comparisons between modes, as well as the formulation of policy options in any consideration of general taxation reform.

• Taxes and Charges in Australian Transport: A Transmodal Overview
  
  wp_034.pdf
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The paper provides information on coastal freight movements between Australian ports. It covers cargoes loaded and discharged at Australian ports during 1995–1996.

• Coastal Freight in Australia 1995–1996
  
  ip_042.pdf
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The paper provides information on coastal freight movements between Australian ports. It covers cargoes loaded and discharged at Australian ports during 1996–1997.

• Coastal Freight in Australia 1996–1997
  
  ip_043.pdf
  (224.56 KB)

The paper provides information on coastal freight movements between Australian ports. It covers cargoes loaded and discharged at Australian ports during 1997–1998.

• Coastal Freight in Australia 1997–1998
  
  ip_045.pdf
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Transport models have been used for several decades now, both for research, and as an analytical tool to assist planners and decision-makers. As the complexity of traffic and environmental problems in our cities has increased, policy makers have come to depend on models to an even greater extent. The immense increase in available computing power over the last decade has abetted this dependence. Customised software has simplified even the most complex mathematics to such an extent that modelling is no longer the preserve of a select few 'rocket scientist'. If asked, however, many policy analysts and decision-makers would probably admit to a lack of understanding of the models on the results of which they rely. Billions of dollars in resources are expended annually in Australia despite a lack of full understanding of the basis on which decisions are made. To assist both researchers and decision-makers, Dr William (Weiguo) Lu has dissected the major models that have been used to analyse urban transport tasks. This Working Paper therefore represents something of a 'scene-setter' for further work. While a purely non-technical approach is not feasible, he has sought to provide an intuitive exposition of the basic concepts involved, relying on a minimum of mathematical expression.

• Competitive Neutrality Between Road and Rail
  
  wp_040.pdf
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The financial crisis, which struck the Asian region in 1997, had many profound and far-reaching consequences for both the countries involved and the world as a whole. This study examines one aspect of the impact of the crisis on Australia the adequacy of the air freight network to carry Australian exports to Asian markets. Air freight exports are predominantly carried in the belly-holds of passenger aircraft. This study examines the contraction in passenger markets resulting from the financial crisis and analyses the implications for air freight exports. It also examines the demand for Australian air exports and constructs an air freight supply and demand scenario for twelve Asian countries. The study was completed for the Cross-Modal and Maritime Transport Division of the Department of Transport and Regional Services in response to questions raised by the Transport and Logistics Working Group of the Supermarket to Asia Council concerning perceptions of the availability of export air freight capacity to Asian markets.

• The Supply of Air Freight Capacity to Asian Markets
  
  wp_042.pdf
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The paper provides information on coastal freight movements between Australian ports. It covers cargoes loaded and discharged at Australian ports during 1998–99.

• Coastal Freight in Australia 1998–99
  
  ip_046.pdf
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This information sheet provides estimates of non-bulk freight flows over seven intercity corridors for the 25 years from 1970 to 1995.

• Freight Between Australian Cities
  
  is_017.pdf
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