Early in 1984 the Bureau of Transport Economics carried out a survey of trucking operations, primarily to assist the National Road Freight Industry Inquiry in its data collection activity. This Paper describes the survey and sets out its major findings. Both road transport (for hire and reward) and ancillary operators were covered, with particular attention being given to the ownerdrivers. The main aim of the survey was to collect information on the structure of commercial truck activity in Australia including administrative, operational and equipment details. Certain limited road freight task related information and income data were also collected. In terms of business activity, the survey covered the 1982–83 financial year.

• Survey of Trucking Operations 1982–83: Methodology and Results
  
  op_075.pdf
  (7.18 MB)

In mid-l986 the Federal Bureau of Transport Economics engaged consultant Travers Morgan Pty Ltd to undertake a review of minerals transport in Australia. The objectives of the review were to describe the nature of mineral freight movements in Australia; to identify and assess relevant sources of data; to provide data on mineral movements by mode, origin and destination for the years 1980–81 to 1984–85; and to identify and critically assess possible methodologies for updating mineral freight movements at a later date.

• Transport of Australia's Minerals
  
  ip_020.pdf
  (6.07 MB)

In the past, there have been many occasions when decision makers have wanted to know the likely effects of proposed policies on the different transport industries involved in moving non-bulk freight around Australia. Their decisions have been hampered by a lack of data on the magnitude of, and trends in, nonbulk freight flows between capital cities and almost no usable estimates of the determinants of intercapital freight flows on all modes.

• Freight Flows in Australian Transport Corridors
  
  op_098.pdf
  (5.42 MB)

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
  (6.14 MB)

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
  (4.2 MB)

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
  (357.61 KB)

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
  (235.08 KB)

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
  (63.04 KB)

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
  (4.72 MB)