Urban Transport Economics

Recommended Prerequisites

As this is a course that introduces the topic of transport economics, there are no specific requirements beyond the general conditions for admission to the study cycle.

Teaching Methods

Theoretical and practical sessions through expository methods and dialogue/debate. Resolution of individual practical exercises.
Throughout both activities, a link to the actual context of transport systems will be sought whenever possible. Several oral presentations by students, organised in groups, will take place dealing with real transport systems.

Learning Outcomes

The main objective is to familiarize students with how the economy deals with the theme of transport, emphasising the urban context.
Generic skills: capacity for analysis and synthesis; formulate and solve problems; critical spirit; oral and written expression.
Specific Skills:
1- recognize the importance of transport to the economy;
2- characterize the main modes and systems of transportation in Portugal, identifying market leaders;
3- understand the relationships with economic activity, location and urban economy;
4- recognize the specifics of demands for transportation;
5- characterize the specificities of transport costs and the implications for market structures and economic efficiency;
6- deal with negative externalities such as congestion and emissions of pollutants;
7- distinguishing aspects and currents of transport regulation;
8- Finally, principles for an urban transport policy will be laid out.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Introduction and definition of Transportation Economics; importance of the sector in the economy.
2. Analysis of transport markets:
- personal and public passenger road transportation;
- passenger rail;
- urban public transportation, referring to Coimbra;
- urban freight;
- rental cars and sharing schemes;
- electric scooters and sharing schemes.
3. The mutual influence of transport on the location of people and activities; location models; externalities in cities.
4. Transportation costs: for the user; with infrastructure; and operators.
5. The demand for transport: the time constraint; the generalized cost; modelling.
6. Organization of supply and public intervention – motivations, limits.
7. Optimal public choices; the general interest and social welfare; private financing.
8. Choices of projects in transportation.
9. Correction of externalities: traffic and pollution.
10. Transport policies: principles and practice.

Head Lecturer(s)

Daniel Filipe Videira Murta

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Oral presentation of assignments: 20.0%
Frequency: 40.0%
Exam: 40.0%

Bibliography

BUTTON, Kenneth - Transport economics. 4.ª Ed.; Edward Elgar, 2022. [BP 338.47 BUT]
QUINET, Emile— Principles of Transport Economics, 2.ª Ed. Cheltenham : Edward Elgar, 2020.
A HANDBOOK of transport economics. Edited by André de Palma... [et al.]. Cheltenham : Edward Elgar, 2013
QUILÓMETROS, Euros e pouca terra ? Manual de Economia dos Transportes. MURTA, Daniel; I.U.C., 2010 Coimbra