Spatial spillovers of transport infrastructure

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Spatial spillovers of transport infrastructure

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El valor añadido europeo de los proyectos transnacionales (ten-t): una propuesta metodológica basada en los efectos de desbordamiento, accesibilidad y SIG

El presente trabajo propone una metodología para calcular el valor añadido europeo (VAE) generado por proyectos de infraestructuras de transporte. En particular, este enfoque es especialmente útil para la evaluación de proyectos en el marco de las Redes Transeuropeas de Transporte (TEN-T), aunque también puede ser utilizada en proyectos transnacionales en otros ámbitos geográficos. La metodología se basa en la evaluación de los efectos de desbordamiento espaciales producidos por cada tramo mediante la utilización de indicadores de accesibilidad (acceso a los mercados) y Sistemas de Información Geográfica (GIS). Los tramos que producen una elevada proporción de efectos de desbordamiento en relación a los beneficios internos presentan un alto valor añadido europeo. Adicionalmente se obtienen indicadores sobre los efectos de cada tramo en términos de concentración espacial sobre los distintos países afectados, eficiencia (mejora general de la accesibilidad) y cohesión territorial (reducción de las disparidades de accesibilidad entre regiones). La validez de este enfoque se comprueba a través de su aplicación al proyecto prioritario nº 25 en el marco de las TEN-T. Esta metodología no intenta sustituir otras existentes para la evaluación de proyectos (particularmente el análisis coste-beneficio) sino que aporta datos complementarios para la toma de decisiones. Tramos poco rentables desde la perspectiva del análisis costebeneficio pero con alto valor añadido europeo deberían recibir mayor financiación europea que los tramos más rentables pero con un interés marcadamente nacional.This paper proposes a methodology for calculating the European added value (EVA) generated by transport infrastructure projects. In particular, this approach is especially useful for the evaluation of projects under the Trans- European Transport Networks (TEN-T), but can also be used in transnational projects in other geographical areas. The methodology is based on the evaluation of spatial spillover effects produced by each section by using accessibility indicators (market access) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The sections that produce a large proportion of spillover effects in relation to the internal benefits have a high European added value. Additionally,indicators are obtained on the effects of each tranche in terms of spatial concentration on the various countries concerned, efficiency (overall improvement of accessibility) and territorial cohesion (reduction of disparities in accessibility between regions). The validity of this approach is verified through its application to the priority project No 25 in the framework of the TEN-T. This methodology is not intended to replace other existing for the evaluation of projects (particularly the cost-benefit analysis) but also provides complementary data for decision making. Sections that are not profitable from the perspective of cost-benefit analysis but with high European added value should receive more European funding to the most profitable segments but with a markedly national interest

Regional Spillovers of Transport Infrastructure Investment: A Territorial Cohesion Analysis

Territorial cohesion is a routine part of the job of spatial planners. However, it has not always been measured using a valid and solid methodology. This paper addresses conceptually how regional spillovers of transport investments of the Spanish master plan (‘‘Plan Estratégico de Infraestructuras y Transporte’’ 2005–2020) affect territorial cohesion. Different periods undergo analysis using the ‘‘extraction method’’. We calculate regional spillovers by accessibility gains measured in economic potential units (gravitational method using GDPs for each centroid under analysis). Two different typologies of regional spillovers are given, according to the direction of the effects: upstream and downstream. We conclude that the ‘Plan Estratégico’ favours territorial cohesion of Spain, but the degree of territorial cohesion produced by each region is not uniform. The end of the paper raises a number of suggestions for further research on the interaction of regional spillovers with territorial cohesion

Innovation in the European transport sector: a review

This article reviews innovation of the European transport industries. It combines a quantitative analysis of the R&D investment of manufacturers of transport equipment, transport service providers and the constructors of transport infrastructure for the years 2008 and 2011 with a qualitative assessment of their incentives to innovate. The latter takes into account sector-specific innovation systems, their distinct market environments and the products and services produced. The findings show that, although the transport sector as a whole is the largest industrial R&D investor in the EU, there are important differences in the level of innovation activities carried out by the highly heterogeneous sub-sectors. These differences seem to be of systemic nature: they are found consistently in the quantitative analysis and the theoretical considerations. The result is highly policy-relevant as it indicates that policies targeting innovation in transport need to take into account the specific innovation capacities of the various sub-sectors

Decomposing generalized transport costs using index numbers: A geographical analysis of economic and infrastructure fundamentals

We use the economic theory approach to index numbers in order to improve the existing definitions and decompositions of generalized transport costs (GTCs), and thus to obtain a better understanding of their economic and infrastructure determinants. Using this approach we accurately measure the contribution made to reducing GTCs by the variation in operating costs and accessibility variables, and discuss to what extent transportation policy has been successful in reducing GTCs in terms of market competition and infrastructure investments. To implement the optimizing behaviour of transportation firms when choosing minimum cost itineraries, we compile a new economic database on road freight transportation at a highly detailed provincial level, which is then embedded into a GIS to show the digitalized road networks corresponding to five-year intervals between 1980 and 2007. Average GTCs weighted by trade flows have decreased by -16.3% in Spain, with infrastructure policy leading the way in providing notable accessibility improvements in terms of lower times and distances. The contribution of infrastructure is double that of economic cost, whose trends are mainly driven by technological and market determinants rather than by specific competition and regulatory policies promoted by the administrations. We find large territorial disparities in GTC levels and variations, but also significant clusters where the market and network effects on GTC reduction show relevant and diverse degrees of spatial association. We finally conclude that after three decades of active transportation policy aimed mainly at intensifying investment in road infrastructure, there has been a significant increase in territorial cohesion in terms of GTCs and their components.Generalized transport costs; Index number theory; Infrastructure; GIS; Territorial cohesion.

The impact of measuring internal travel distances on selfpotentials and accessibility

Internal travel distances are fundamental in accessibility measurement, as they affect the weight of the intra-regional interactions, especially when using a gravity formulation. The contribution of the internal accessibility of each zone to its overall accessibility is known as self-potential. Several studies demonstrate its importance in accessibility analyses, especially in the most urbanized regions. It is precisely in urban regions where internal travel distances are more difficult to estimate due to congestion, which in turn may be influenced by factors such as urban density, urban morphology, network infrastructure, etc. Accessibility analyses usually use coarse estimates of internal distances, generally based on the regions' area and in some cases considering its level of urbanization. In this study we explore different forms of estimating internal travel distances in accessibility analysis and reflect on their advantages and drawbacks. One of the main difficulties that arise when measuring internal travel distances is the lack of data. However, the growing potential of ICTs in providing new sources of data can be used to improve representativeness of data. In this study we used speed profiles data from TeleAtlas/TomTom to calculate internal travel distances for European NUTS-3 regions and we compare this measure with three other metrics traditionally used in the literature. Following this exercise, we discuss the conditions under which it is advantageous to use more complex measures of internal travel distance. Finally, we test the sensitivity of potential accessibility indicators to the combined effect of different internal distance metrics and distance decay factors

Distributive effects of the new highway infrastructure in the Netherlands: the role of network effect and spatial spillovers

Network effects and spatial spillovers are intrinsic impacts of transport infrastructure. Network effects imply that an improvement in a particular link in a network generates effects in many other elements of that network, while spillover effects can be defined as those impacts occurring beyond the regions where the actual transport investment is made. These two related effects entail a redistribution of impacts among regions, and their omission from road planning is argued to cause the systematic underestimation of the profitability of transport projects and therefore the public financing they require. However, traditional transport appraisal methodologies fail to consider network and spillover effects. In this study we focus on the spillover impacts of two highway sections planned in the city region of Eindhoven, located in the Dutch province of Noord-Brabant, a region with traffic congestion problems. The new road infrastructure will be financed mainly by national government, the province and the urban region of Eindhoven (‘Stadsregio Eindhoven’), which consists of 21 municipalities. We measure the benefits of the additional links in terms of travel time savings and the accompanying monetary gains. The results show that important spillovers occur in those municipalities close to the new links. The province of Noord-Brabant will benefit the most. We also found important spillovers in the province of Limburg. This latter province will benefit from reduced travel times without contributing financially to the establishment of the analysed new road links

Generalized transport costs and index numbers: A geographical analysis of economic and infrastructure fundamentals

We rely on the economic theory approach to index numbers to improve the existing definitions and decompositions of variations in generalized transport costs (GTCs). As a value index, we decompose GTCs into price and quantity indices associated to economic—market—costs and infrastructure variables—distance and time within a network. The methodology allows the accurate identification of the sources of GTCs decline. We illustrate it for the case of road freight transportation in Spain between 1980 and 2007 and at a highly detailed geographical level. Average GTCs weighted by trade flows have decreased by 16.3%, with infrastructure driving that reduction. We find large territorial disparities in GTCs, but also significant geographical clusters where the market and network indices show spatial association

Accessibility Indicators for the Geographical Assessment of Transport Planning in a Latin American Metropolitan Area

Accessibility represents a key element in strengthening developed regions in terms of investment in transportation infrastructure. Accessibility is also an equity indicator to measure the ease with which a specific location achieves desired outcomes as well as the spillover effect; traditionally, these effects have been analyzed with econometric and engineering techniques, rather than from the perspective of geographical studies. The purpose of this research is to measure the spillover effects and the territorial cohesion of Infrastructure Regional Planning (PRI) for the Latin American metropolitan area of Concepción (MAC), Chile. To meet this purpose, locational and network efficiency indicators of spatial accessibility were calculated using network analysis in GIS. The results showed that the improvements differ according to the accessibility indicator employed; however, they generally showed benefits in consolidated urban centers and corridors near investment and industrial areas. In contrast, more distant and rural areas presented limited and irregular benefits