DRL014 Classics in Transport Economics (Autumn 2021)

About the course

In Transport Economics, we study the use of resources in the transport sector, how transport costs effect travel behaviour and transport choices and how transport costs and the design of the transport system affects the rest of society.
Many of the methods and theories used today in the analysis and planning of transport systems have clear historical roots in older publications. In addition, many concepts presented in older publications are still used today. Therefore, reading and discussing classical text improve the understanding of tools and theories used today.
A main feature of the course is the discussion of the classical texts relate to current practices, models and theories. The course covers the following themes:
• Demand modelling
• Analysis of transport costs
• Road pricing and congestion charging
• Pricing of transport services
• Valuation of Time
• Cost Benefit Analysis

Please note:

This course is arranged on demand, and only if there are at least three committed participants.
Please ask for information, or register your interest by email to johan.holmgren@himolde.no

The course is connected to the following study programs

• Philosophiae Doctor in Logistics (PhD)

Recommended requirements

• Introductory Microeconomics.

• Introductory course in Transport Economics or Cost- Benefit Analysis is recommended

Forms of teaching and learning

The course is organised in the form of 6 consecutive seminars related to the themes identified above. Students write a preparatory short paper to each seminar, and are expected to participate actively in an academic discussion of the syllabus texts.

Examination

• Active participation in all seminars is mandatory.

• A Short paper should be written to each seminar

• Grouping:Individual

• Grading scale: Pass/Fail

Syllabus

1) Baumol, W. Bradford, D. (1970) Optimal departures from marginal cost pricing, American Economic Review
2) Becker, G.S. (1965) A Theory of the Allocation of Time. Economic Journal 75, pp.493-517.
3) DeSerpa, A. J. (1972). A theory of the economics of time, Economic Journal
4) Dupuit, A.J. (1844), “On the Measurement of the Utility of Public Works”, (Trans. R. Barback), International Economic Papers, Vol. 2, 1952
5) Foster, C. Beesley, M. (1963) Estimating the Social Benefit of Constructing an Underground Railway in London, Journal of the Royal Statistical Society
6) Jansson, J.O. (1984) Transport system optimization and pricing, Wiley
7) McFadden, D. (1974) The measurement of urban travel demand, Journal of Public Economics
8) McFadden, D. (1978) The theory and practice of disaggregate demand forecasting for various modes of urban transportation, Emerging Transportation Planning Methods
9) Mohring, H. (1972) Optimization and Scale Economics in Urban Bus Transportation, American Economic Review
10) Mohring, H. (1993). Maximizing, measuring, and not double counting transportation-improvement benefits: A primer on closed- and open-economy cost-benefit analysis, Transportation Research Part B
11) Nash, C. (1978) Management objectives in in Bus Transport, Journal of Transport Economics and Policy
12) Turvey, R. Mohring, H. (1975) Optimal bus fares, Journal of Transport economics and Policy
13) Venables, A. (2007) Evaluating Urban Transport Improvements - Cost–Benefit Analysis in the Presence of Agglomeration and Income Taxation, Journal of Transport Economics and Policy
14) Vickrey, W. (1963) Pricing in Urban and Suburban Transportation, American Economic review
15) Vickrey, W. (1965) A Proposal for Revising New York's Subway Fare Structure, Journal of the Operations Research Society of America
16) Vickrey, W. (1969) Congestion Theory and Transport Investment, American Economic review
17) Walters, A. (1961) The theory and Measurement of Private and social Cost of Highway Congestion, Econometrica