This Paper presents a preliminary assessment of the social aspects of the Australian road system. The focus of the research undertaken for this Paper was on examining a number of complementary approaches that could be utilised to identify and assess the overall social dimensions of roads. For the purpose of extending this conceptual accessibility and proximity framework on a practical level, the study sought to identify the subjectively perceived attributes of roads and determinants of their quality, and the types of changes which they may undergo and which affect their role.

• Social Aspects of Australian Roads
  
  op_068.pdf
  (2.62 MB)

This Paper was commissioned by the Bureau of Transport Economics to expand the Bureau's understanding of the nature and extent of subsidies in Australian transportation. The Paper looks at public transport in Australian cities and some of the methodologies which can be used in the evaluation of benefits and costs arising from changes in fare structures or from changes in service levels. The methodologies and data used were based on publicly available sources with minimum use being made of confidential data or analysis. However, the assumptions underlying this study reflect the author's views and are not necessarily those of the Bureau of Transport Economics.

• Benefits of Urban Public Transport Subsidies in Australia
  
  op_071.pdf
  (5.17 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)

This Report provides an assessment of the status of the Australian Road System and an examination of its future funding requirements. Roads are divided into the categories recognised by Commonwealth road funding legislation: National Highways (16050 kilometres); rural arterials (89600 kilometres); urban arterials (15400 kilometres); local roads (677400 kilometres).

• Assessment of the Australian Road System
  
  report_061.pdf
  (13.67 MB)

• Assessment of the Australian Road System–Summary Report
  
  report_061_summary.pdf
  (1.02 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)

The Bureau of Transport Economics (BTE) agreed to a request from the Commissioner of the New South Wales Department of Motor Transport (DMT) to undertake a study to monitor a six-month trial. The trial period extended from 17 November 1986 to 17 May 1987 and was confined to the Sydney–Canberra and Sydney–North Coast of New South Wales corridors. The information upon which the results of this study are based was obtained from a review of official statistics relating to passenger travel, information supplied by industry sources, New South Wales Government instrumentalities and from surveys of passengers on bus and train services undertaken by the BTE. The surveys were carried out in January and April 1987 to provide profile characteristics of passengers travelling during peak and off-peak periods respectively.

• Intrastate Bus Services in New South Wales: Trial Entry Liberalisation
  
  op_085.pdf
  (4.1 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)

Efficient road pricing is required both to generate funds which may be used for roadworks and to ration the use of what is an expensive asset. The important elements of road pricing theory are outlined and these indicate that both the structure and level of charge are important in rationalising road use and optimising the role of road transport in our modern economy.

• Review of Road Cost Recovery
  
  op_090.pdf
  (14.21 MB)

This paper provides a simple method for evaluating alternative strategies for road pavement construction and maintenance using a life cycle costing approach.

• Pavement Management: Development of a Life Cycle Costing Technique
  
  op_100.pdf
  (3.86 MB)

This Report discusses the objectives of the Australian national highway system, presents statistical information and describes the application of the life cycle costing technique to the pavement evaluation.

• The Cost of Maintaining the Australian National Highway System
  
  report_077.pdf
  (2.56 MB)