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 Royal Commission into Grain Storage, Handling and Transport, was established on 13 October 1986. One of the objectives of the Commission is to investigate the efficiency with which grain is transported in Australia. To this end the Commission sought submissions from interested parties. The Federal Bureau of Transport Economics (BTE) has prepared this Paper in response to that request.

• Competition and Regulation in Grain Transport: Submission to Royal Commission, May 1987
  
  op_082.pdf
  (9.91 MB)

In many of its analyses involving shipping, the Bureau of Transport Economics has been required to estimate costs associated with owning and operating vessels of various types. This Paper presents a model for estimating long-run average ship costs that was developed by the Bureau for this purpose. The model has been developed as a computer program (BTESHIP) to enable ship costs to be evaluated quickly and conveniently. However, to use the model effectively it is necessary to have an understanding of the principles involved in estimating ship costs. This Paper contains a discussion of the nature of ship costs and their estimation, as well as a user's manual which documents the structure and operation of the program.

• A Model for Estimating Cargo Ship Costs; BTCESHIP
  
  op_083.pdf
  (6.83 MB)

This Paper discusses the current situation and problems of Australian Port Authorities, particularly in the light of the limited amount of competition imposed by the economies of scale inherent in modern cargo-handling technologies, whether for bulk cargoes or for containers.

• Port Authorities in Australia
  
  op_084.pdf
  (5.62 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)

The discussion of domestic aviation issues in Australia has historically focused on the passenger market. This reflects the dominance of passenger transport in the operations of the domestic airlines and the relatively small proportion of domestic cargo that is carried by air. Despite this emphasis on passenger operations, the Commonwealth Government has implemented regulations specifically directed at air cargo and the major airlines have evolved separate strategies for cargo traffic in recent years. Cargo is now an important element of Australia's domestic aviation industry and is a significant source of income for several carriers. This Paper presents the findings of a BTE study of the domestic air cargo industry in Australia.

• Domestic Air Cargo Industry in Australia
  
  op_087.pdf
  (5.59 MB)

There has not been a comprehensive study of trends and changes in the institutional and commercial parameters which affect Australia's international aviation industry since the International Civil Aviation Policy review of 1978. The aim of the work reported in this Paper was to document the significant developments in international aviation on both a global scale and for Australian routes in particular. The historical trends in supply of and demand for international air passenger services to and from Australia are examined and the information used to forecast passenger numbers to the year 2000 for various markets.

• Trends and Prospects for Australian International Air Transport
  
  op_088.pdf
  (7.31 MB)

Decisions on road reconstruction and rehabilitation are based on a combination of engineering, economic, financial and social considerations. Rigorous analysis in support of such decisions is necessarily extremely complex. At an aggregate level, however, it is clear that the possession of an asset (such as a road network) whose components are subject to deterioration and have finite lives imposes a maintenance requirement if the quality and value of the asset is to be preserved.

• Pavement Age and the Future Need for Road Reconstruction
  
  op_089.pdf
  (4.65 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)