Transport Economics and Management

Course

URL study guide

https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/E_TSCM_TEM

Course Objective

The transport sector is very important for the Netherlands and the Benelux. In a relatively small area, we find the ports of Rotterdam, Antwerp and Amsterdam. In the same area we have the Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and Brussels Zaventem as main airports. These important international nodes are connected to the hinterland (Germany, France) by an extensive road and rail system and inland waterways. These nodes, and the access and regress modes provide an important contribution to the economy. How is the transport sector organized? What are the strategies, and how do we set prices? By the end of this course, the student can explain recent developments in the transport sector using economic theories. This will help you identify opportunities for your firm or interpret consultancy reports. The students will demonstrate this by writing a short report and during the final examination.

Course Content

In this course, we discuss the economic foundations of pricing and network strategies in transport sectors, and the implications for transport policy. In the first part of the course we discuss the microeconomic theory of market structures, pricing, externalities and regulation, with a strong focus on transport markets. Which market structures can we use to describe transport sectors? How does this influence price setting for passenger and freight transport? How do we deal with environmental effects? We also discuss the costs of operating transport networks. How can we describe the cost of operating, for example, a rail network or a shipping company? Using regression analysis we illustrate how cost functions can be estimated, and used in policy making. In the second part of the course several transport markets will be discussed, applying the theories and techniques discussed in the first part. We discuss the maritime transport market, road transport, and also the rail market. In addition, the students will have to do an assignment using basic econometric techniques.

Teaching Methods

There will be two lectures each week in which the emphasis is on the teacher's explanation of the essential material. Active participation of the students is, however, expected in all lectures. The tutorials focus on empirical applications of some concepts discussed during the lectures (cost functions, ship size). Furthermore, during the tutorials we practice with the materials from the lectures.

Method of Assessment

The final grade is the weighted average of the written exam for which a minimum of 5 is necessary, and the tutorials.

Literature


- Mallard & G., S. Glaister, Transport Economics Theory, Application andPolicy. Palgrave Macmillan, New York, 2008.
- Lecture slides will be distributed via Canvas.

Entry Requirements

We expect students followed a bachelor course in (micro) economics andstatistics.
Academic year1/09/2431/08/25
Course level6.00 EC

Language of Tuition

  • English

Study type

  • Master