Transport Services Research Articles

The Service Experience Equity on Repatronage Intention within Public Transportation Services

In a highly competitive market, service providers are often expected to enhance their profitability by delivering superior service quality. This principle is evident among many public transportation providers in Malaysia, who strive to elevate the passenger experience through refined service offerings. The objective of this study is to examine the factors influencing repatronage intentions among public transportation users in Malacca, Malaysia, using the Service Experience Equity (SEE) framework. To demonstrate the causal connections between the variables, a regression analysis has been employed. The findings reveal that service atmosphere and personnel interactions significantly impact users' willingness to continue using these services. The study emphasizes the importance for management to prioritize customer experience by investing in service environment strategies that foster user engagement and discourage customer churn. It further underscores that both the overall service experience and the quality of employee-customer interactions are critical determinants of future patronage. Consequently, it is recommended that transportation service providers leverage these elements to create a competitive edge, thereby encouraging repeat usage and building long-term customer loyalty.

Mindful Transportation: A Conceptual Framework for Enhancing Accessibility for People with Disabilities in Malaysia

This conceptual paper explores the integration of mindfulness principles into the development of transportation services for people with disabilities (PWDs) in Malaysia. Transportation plays a critical role in promoting inclusivity and enhancing the quality of life for PWDs, yet accessibility remains a significant challenge due to infrastructural barriers, lack of awareness, and limited empathy from service providers. Drawing on the concepts of mindfulness, which are rooted in awareness, empathy, and responsiveness, this paper proposes a framework that emphasizes inclusivity, respect, and collaboration among key stakeholders. The proposed framework emphasizes the need for a holistic approach that incorporates physical accessibility, staff training, and policy reforms. Inclusivity involves modifying infrastructure to meet universal design standards, while empathy requires transport providers to understand the unique challenges faced by PWDs and offer compassionate, tailored services. Responsiveness, a key element of mindfulness, calls for flexible and adaptive transport services that cater to the real-time needs of PWDs, ensuring that they can access public transportation with ease and dignity. By applying this mindful approach, the transportation system can become more accommodating and respectful toward PWDs, thereby reducing social exclusion and improving their mobility. This paper contributes to the growing body of literature on disability inclusion and provides actionable strategies for policymakers, transport providers, and disability organizations to work together in creating a more accessible public transportation system. Future research should investigate the practical application of this framework and its potential to drive policy changes that benefit PWDs across Malaysia.

Preparedness and Public Health: an Italian Local Health Authority plan for a mass gathering in 2023

Abstract Issue Mass gatherings represent an important Public Health challenge. The increased number of people present in a specific area puts local health systems under stress (i.e.workload of emergency services, environmental health and food safety) and at the same time it rises the risks of a potential mass casualty incident. Effective planning and disaster preparedness have to be achieved through collaboration among local health authorities(LHA) and other stakeholders (event planners, law enforcement, local transportation services). Problem Every year, for 3 days, the Italian Alpine troops gather in a different city to remember First World War fallen. During those days, the city centre transit is not allowed to car (in specific areas even to emergency vehicles).In May 2023 this event occurred in Udine, a city in the North East of Italy with almost 100.000 inhabitants. For that year at least 300.000 participants were expected. LHA had to reorganize preparing itself to manage a temporary quadrupled catchment area. Results In the previous months, local authorities met local health representatives and other stakeholders in order to define a single emergency response plan. For healthcare services it was decided to: institute first aid points within the city; reorganise patients’ emergency transport system; increase hospitals’ treatment capacity (beds, life support equipment); increase healthcare professional availability; empower drugstores (opening times, drugs procurement); strengthen human and animal health surveillances;activate alternative communication systems. During the event, LHA updated other authorities involved three times a day about hospital and emergency system situation. At the end of the event,a multiprofessional debriefing meeting was held and no critical situations were reported. Lessons Preparedness requires a great commitment in terms of resources and time, but it is confirmed to be essential to guarantee adequate assistance even in extraordinary conditions. Key messages • Mass gathering s events put under stress all the main areas of public health system. • Public health preparedness cannot be effective without a strong involvement of other public and private stakeholders.

Students' Satisfaction with the Choice of Public Transport Mobility in UiTM Puncak Alam

Transportation is essential for facilitating movement and contributing to economic development. This study aims to measure student satisfaction with public transportation mobility at UiTM Puncak Alam. Understanding the level of satisfaction derived from transportation services is crucial for enhancing student experiences. The main focus of this research is to identify the factors influencing student satisfaction with public transport services, specifically examining reliability, convenience, frequency, and safety in UiTM Puncak Alam. A correlation study was conducted to explore the relationships between these factors and student satisfaction. The research utilized a non-probability convenience sampling method, distributing a questionnaire to 217 students from the Faculty of Business and Management. Data collection occurred over three months, from October 2022 to December 2022, using online questionnaires. The findings indicate that comfort, frequency, and safety significantly influenced student satisfaction. Numerous students expressed their dissatisfaction with the old buses, inconsistent service schedules, and safety issues. These elements were discovered to influence students' selection of public transportation and their overall contentment. The research also highlighted concerns like bus conditions, driver behavior, and punctuality, all of which affect student satisfaction and academic achievement. Based on these findings, the study suggests increasing the bus fleet, enhancing service frequency, and strengthening safety measures to better address student needs and boost their overall satisfaction with public transportation at UiTM Puncak Alam.

Transportation services by mutual help of local residents in rural area

Transportation services by mutual help of local residents in rural area

Exploring the Impact of Airport Services on Passenger Satisfaction in Tanzania: A Case Study of Julius Nyerere International Airport

Satisfying passengers at the airport has been the cornerstone for airlines and airports in air transport service. This study aimed to understand the effects of airline-related quality service dimensions on overall passenger satisfaction at airports. The study intended to analyse the effect of pre-flight, in-flight, and post-flight services on passenger satisfaction at the airport. Passengers begin to interact with air transport services when booking a ticket, and airline-related service dimensions are considered part of the broader concept of airport services, which should be integrated as they overlap in satisfying passengers at the airport. Previous research focused extensively on airport-related factors but overlooked the specific impacts of airline services on overall passenger satisfaction. The study was guided by Total airport experience framework considering holistic view of passenger satisfaction. The study used a descriptive research design which targeted all international passengers travelled through Julius Nyerere International Airport at the time of conducting this study. In this regard, the study included departing and arriving passengers from Terminal III at the final lounge and baggage claim area. The Webb et al (1996) guidelines were used to determine the sample size which suggests that for population above 2,000, a sample of 1% is appropriate; The population consisted of 18,000 passengers arriving and departing at Julius Nyerere international Airport during the time of conducting survey; thus 180 passenger were selected randomly ensuring that every passenger had an equal chance of being selected. Collection of data invloved questionnaires with close-ended and open-ended questions. Descriptive analysis of collected data was conducted to summarize the main variables through utilizing the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) for data analysis to obtain percentages and frequencies. The findings indicated that several dimensions of airline-related service influence passenger satisfaction: pre-flight, in-flight, and post-flight dimensions. The findings revealed that these three dimensions positively affect passenger satisfaction. For instance, in pre-flight services, respondents reported satisfaction, highlighting the crucial role of effective management of pre-flight services in determining positive initial travel experiences. High satisfaction rates were also observed for in-flight services, emphasizing the importance of onboard amenities and crew responsiveness. However, post-flight services showed areas for improvement to enhance the overall passenger experience. Additionally, the results highlighted the strategic necessity for airlines and airports to prioritize service excellence across all touchpoints of the passenger journey. Enhancing service quality and responsiveness, particularly in mishap resolution and service delivery which are crucial for maintaining a competitive advantage and fostering customer loyalty. The study concluded that passenger satisfaction is highly influenced by three primary dimensions of airline related service: pre-flight, in-flight, and post-flight dimensions. The study recommends the Airline and airport operators to focus on improving service quality delivery across all touch points of passengers journey by implementing an integrated approach such as coordinated decision making.

The Impact of AI Tools on Employment Trends and Skill Demands

Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing our work, lifestyles, and modes of communication. The integration of AI-driven technologies brings about automation of tedious tasks, enhances decision-making capabilities, and boosts overall productivity. Nonetheless, the adoption of AI carries profound implications for both the labor market and skill prerequisites. On one hand, the advent of AI is poised to usher in new job opportunities, particularly in domains such as machine learning, data science, and AI engineering. Conversely, AI's implementation is expected to automate numerous routine and manual job functions, resulting in the displacement of workers in sectors like manufacturing, transportation, and customer service. This transition underscores the necessity for workers to cultivate fresh skill sets and competencies. Skills such as data analysis, critical thinking, and advanced problem-solving will ascend in importance, whereas conventional proficiencies like manual dexterity and routine problem-solving will diminish in relevance. Furthermore, the effects of AI on employment prospects and skill requisites will vary across different industries and geographical regions. While certain sectors may undergo substantial job displacement, others may witness a surge in demand for adept personnel. Thus, policymakers and industry leaders must adopt a proactive stance toward reskilling and upskilling initiatives to ensure workforce competitiveness. Ultimately, the integration of AI tools is poised to catalyze transformative shifts in the labor market and skill landscape. While it presents novel opportunities and enhances productivity, it simultaneously necessitates adaptive measures from workers to thrive in an evolving job market.

Comparison of Nature Tourism in Two Hungarian Forest-Dominated Areas—Results of Visitor Surveys

Recreation and nature-based tourism targeting forests are important cultural services provided by forests, and are also considered non-productive social functions of forests. Many factors influence the demand for forest recreation and tourism that are worth exploring for each forest area. The main aim of our study was to compare the results of visitor surveys related to two mountainous forested areas (Börzsöny and Cserhát) that are both located near to the capital city of Budapest but have different characteristics regarding the forests, accessibility, and the level of tourism infrastructure and services. The questionnaires focused on the characteristics of the visits, perceptions of visitors regarding the values of the areas, and the development needs besides the characteristics of the respondents. In addition to basic statistics, Chi2 and Fisher’s exact tests were used to detect the differences between the two sites. Despite the different characteristics of the study areas, the main results were quite similar at both sites. Most respondents came from Budapest or within a 60 km distance of the sites by car with family and friends, mainly for hiking and nature walks, and spent less than a day in the areas. The state of forests was perceived as good in both areas. Landscape and fresh air were the most attracting factors for visiting both sites. There was a demand for more guided tours, and regarding tourism infrastructure development needs, benches and toilets ranked high at both sites. However, there were also some slight differences between the sites. For example, Börzsöny was visited more frequently, and railway and bicycle were more often used to access this site. Pleasant climate, easy access and fresh air were more important reasons to visit Börzsöny, and it was more associated with wilderness. In Cserhát, low prices and cultural values seemed more important reasons to visit; Hollókő as a world heritage site was highlighted, and more nature-related and other tourism development needs were mentioned regarding this site. These differences were probably due to the different characteristics of the forests (more mosaic forests in Cserhát), the level of the public transportation network, tourist infrastructure and services (higher in Börzsöny), and cultural heritage (more important in Cserhát). Based on our results, Cserhát needs more development in tourism infrastructure and services, while in Börzsöny, the development of a visitor management plan would be useful to harmonize the different uses of the forest.

The Impact of Innovative Transportation Services on Travel Behaviors: A Case Study of Istanbul

There has been a paradigm shift in urban mobility around the developments in information and communication technologies, zero emission targets to reduce transport-related emissions. Hence, traditional transportation services are replaced by sustainable, shared, smart, innovative mobility services. It is crucial to understand what extent these services, which are increasingly used in the cities and have potential to become a part of the main transportation system of the city rather than serving as an alternative mode of transportation, affect people's travel behaviors and daily activity preferences to be aware of the trends in urban mobility, passenger and freight mobility. By this study, new mobility services such as micromobility, car and ride sharing services used in Istanbul examined in the context of (1) their effect on travel behavior (2) the relationship between people's demographic, socioeconomic status and new transportation service use (3) the conditions where the adoption of these services are higher. In this study, survey was conducted with a sample of 404 people in Istanbul and the results were interpreted using both explanatory analysis methods and the chi-square independence test as a statistical method. As a result of the study, questions such as what is the relationship between the demographics, travel behaviors and the use of new mobility services, the effect of these services on the total trips, transportation modes replaced by them, in which situations they are preferred or not and under what conditions those who do not use this service can use them were answered

Perceived Responses of International Tourists to Transportation and Tourism Services During Typhoons Faxai and Hagibis in Japan

There is a limited understanding on the information-seeking behavior of international tourists during disaster response scenarios due to the lack of empirical studies on crisis communication in Japan. This study clarifies the topics generated from both international tourists and official Twitter accounts by applying the embedding Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (BERT) topic model and examines the temporal sentiment changes toward transportation and tourism using the sentiment scores obtained from topic-based Valence Aware Dictionary and sEntiment Reasoner (VADER) sentiment analysis during disasters. A case study was conducted using Twitter data on Typhoons Faxai and Hagibis, which struck Japan in 2019. This study found differences in the topics generated among international tourists and officials in response and a continuous negative sentiment toward specific transportation services. The managerial implications of these findings regarding the use of social media in crisis communication in tourism are also discussed.

Optimalisasi Kualitas Layanan Transportasi Publik: Pendekatan Model P-Transqual dalam Mengevaluasi Kinerja di PO. Moedah

Purpose: This study aims to quantify and scrutinize the caliber of public transportation services through meticulous application of the Public Transportation Quality (P-TRANSQUAL) framework. Research methodology: The proposed research method involves a qualitative approach that integrates the use of Public Transportation Service Quality (PTSQ) and fishbone diagrams. The research population consisted of users of PO Moedah services, selected randomly based on predetermined inclusion criteria, including diverse age groups, gender, occupation, and monthly income range. Results: The empirical findings suggest that, while functionally proficient, the public transportation services administered by PO Moedah are not immune to deficiencies, warranting remedial intervention. Limitations: The study was limited by subjective customer opinions and potential sample bias due to inclusion criteria such as age and income. Additionally, the findings are specific to PO Moedah's area and offer only a snapshot in time, limiting the generalizability and long-term relevance. Contribution: This study offers practical insights for PO Moedah to improve services and demonstrates the use of the P-TRANSQUAL framework to assess public-transportation quality. It highlights the importance of customer satisfaction and promotes sustainable urban transportation by addressing key issues, such as fuel consumption and traffic congestion.

Quality of Online Transportation Services for Women in Manado City, North Sulawesi Province

Complaints about the quality of service can be seen from the punctuality, professionalism of the driver, cleanliness of the driver and facilities to the amount of service prices, safety and comfort. To make this online transportation service remain good and become the choice of the community, it is necessary to improve the service by improving the quality of service. This study was conducted to identify and analyze the quality of online transportation services specifically for women in Manado City. By conducting this study, it is hoped that there will be a recommendation that can be put forward regarding transportation problems in Manado City in terms of service quality for women. Therefore, this study was conducted using a qualitative design through a phenomenological approach. The research informants were women (office workers, students and housewives) users of online transportation services) and online transportation drivers. Data were collected through interviews with informants, conducting observations using online transportation and conducting secondary data document searches with the help of the Google Scholar application. The analysis technique was carried out by means of data reduction, data presentation and drawing conclusions and data verification. The research findings that online transportation is very much needed by the community to support smooth activities. Friendliness, competence, security, facilities and prices are important factors in the quality of online transportation services. Security is the most important factor for women in Manado City in choosing and using online transportation.

Understanding the interplay among urban public transport modes: Spatial variation and built environment effects

Research on public transport systems is continually driven by the societal benefits of transport services. However, the nuanced effects of the built environment on public transport mode shares across different modes have received little attention. Using multi-source travel data from Shenzhen, this study presents an analytical framework, which integrates the light gradient boosting machine and Shapley additive explanations, to delve into the complex interplay among public transport modes. The results reveal that most origin-destination pairs with available metro services exhibit a metro share exceeding 50%, underscoring the high attractiveness of the metro. Travel distance emerges as the primary determinant of mode share, with transport-related characteristics proving more influential than land use modifications. This study identifies nonlinear effects of the built environment on mode share, with specific thresholds for built environment characteristics suggesting fine-tuned planning strategies. Metro station densities of 2 counts/km2 correlates with increased metro share, while bus stop densities of 15 counts/km2 are associated with higher bus share. Areas within 2 km of a metro station or with bus stop densities below 15 counts/km2 tend to have higher bike shares. Specific land use ratios and high levels of land use mix are linked to increased shares of certain modes. The findings suggest optimizing bus services in relation to metro availability and offer guidance for balanced planning in promoting metro and shared mobility to achieve a sustainable transport system.

The role of a neonatal transport service in the initial care of extremely low birth weight infants

Bevezetés: Az extrém kis súlyú (1000 gramm alatti születési súlyú) koraszülöttek világrajövetele sok esetben nem számítható ki, így anyai/magzati veszélyállapotok esetén a méhen belüli szállítás a III. progresszivitási szintű neonatális intenzív centrumokba (NIC-III) nem valósítható meg. Ilyenkor az első életnapon neonatális transzportra kerül sor. Hazánkban kevés adat áll rendelkezésre e koraszülöttek demográfiai és kimeneteli mutatóiról, valamint a szállítást végző neonatális mentőszolgálatok ellátásban nyújtott szerepéről. Célkitűzés: A megszületést követő első életnapon szállított közép-magyarországi extrém kis súlyú koraszülöttek élesztési, kezdeti ellátási, szállítási és rövid távú kimeneteli adatainak elemzése. A születés helyszínén megkezdett definitív III. szintű neonatológiai ellátás eredményeinek bemutatása. Módszer: Retrospektív kohorszvizsgálatunkban a Peter Cerny Alapítványi Mentőszolgálat által 2017. 03. 20. és 2022. 08. 20. között született, 24 órán belül NIC-III-ba szállított, extrém kis súlyú koraszülöttek adatait elemeztük. Kizártuk azokat a betegeket, akiknek súlyos veleszületett fejlődési rendellenességeik voltak, akiket III. szintű NIC egységek között helyeztek át, illetve akiknek a szállítása 10 percnél rövidebb ideig tartott. Eredmények: Vizsgálatunkba 55 koraszülöttet vontunk be, gesztációs koruk medián 25 (tartomány: 21–31) hét, születési súlyuk medián 750 (tartomány: 300–990) gramm volt. 7 újszülött kórházon kívül született. A mentőszolgálat rohamegysége 18 esetben a születés pillanatában a helyszínen tartózkodott, a többi esetben az újszülött életkora a kiérkezéskor medián 52 perc volt. Az ellátócsapat kiérkezésekor az újszülöttek >50%-a hypothermiás volt. A transzport medián távolsága 59 kilométer volt. A betegek testhőmérséklete és vérgázértékei jelentősen javultak a szállítás során. A NIC-III-ról 30 csecsemő (55%) élt túl hazaadásig vagy alacsonyabb progresszivitású szintű osztályra való áthelyezéséig, azonban a 24. gesztációs hét előtt született betegek között nem volt túlélő. Az intézményen kívül született csecsemők közül 5 élt túl. Az összes túlélő között súlyos agyvérzés összesen 7 betegnél fordult elő. Megbeszélés és következtetés: Az első életnapon szállított extrém kis súlyú koraszülöttek halálozása nagy. A helyszínen megkezdett, majd a transzport alatt folytatott definitív mozgó NIC-III-ellátás jelentősen hozzájárulhat a kezdeti ellátás sikerességéhez és a szállítás biztonságos kivitelezéséhez. Orv Hetil. 2024; 165(42): 1643–1651.

Connecting Urban Mobility and Gender Roles: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Good transport infrastructure and services improve the well-being of all groups of the population, including women, men, children, the elderly and people with disabilities. However, they are often incorrectly considered ‘gender-neutral’. Mobility is socially determined by gender roles related to reproduction, production and community. This research investigates the cohesive relationship of urban transportation, including mobility, gender and care, by studying the case of Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC). The differences between women’s and men’s participation in transportation are identified and connected to gender-role activities. The findings show a clear relationship between urban mobility and gender roles. There is clear evidence of women’s trade-off between travelling less than men and carrying more unpaid work in the family, which is more pronounced for married women who live with their families. Differences in women’s traffic experiences compared to men’s reveal the disadvantages that women face in traffic. The findings of this research will assist the HCMC transport sector and project executive agencies in designing gender-inclusive projects. The dissemination of this research will draw attention to the gender dimension of transport and encourage gender mainstreaming across the transport sector to promote and support equality and women’s empowerment.

User characteristics and preferences for micromobility use in first- and last-mile journeys in Dublin, Ireland

Micromobility and public transport integration is an area of urban mobility that has been increasingly gaining attention and importance. The necessity to provide improvements to public transport services and their spatial reach in order to reduce the number and volume of car trips in cities is irrefutable. The integration of micromobility and public transport is often presented as a valuable strategy to improve door-to-door connectivity and coverage of existing public transport services, via provision of key first- and last-mile or access-egress connections. The aim of this study was to understand and model the propensity of commuters in County Dublin to use micromobility (private and shared) in the first- and last-miles of their public transport journeys. A stated preference experiment was conducted with a focus on these specific segments of the journey and a mixed logit model was estimated to identify user characteristics and preferences based on socio-economic factors, mobility patterns and attitudes towards and previous experience of shared mobility. The results show that, in this particular case study, respondents with a strong walking preference were less likely to be interested in private micromobility and sharing services for the first- and last-mile. A common assumption that walking is a last resort, and only chosen when there are no other options available was not confirmed by the findings of this study. Moreover, competition between the modes showed that private bicycles are the preferred mode after walking, followed by private e-scooters, while shared modes were less likely to be chosen over walking, and shared e-scooters less so than shared bicycles. Overall, the findings suggest that a small percentage of the sample – mainly young (<35 years old) and male respondents with interest in and experience of e-scooters – were interested in using private and shared e-scooters for the first- and last-mile, but that the majority of the respondents were likely to choose walking, albeit with longer travel times overall.

Effects of different mobility concepts in new residential areas

Growing cities need new residential areas, which are often either not connected to the existing transport infrastructure or are poorly connected to it. A fast way to connect these areas is the construction of roads. However, this generates a car-depending mobility among the inhabitants, which is in conflict with several sustainability goals. Moreover, the impact of the implementation of new public transport options is only partly known and this fact reduces the willingness to invest in expensive public transport measures. In this work we examine different mobility concepts, including shared mobility, bicycle highways, a high-frequency bus service, suburban trains and car limitations in a new residential area of 2000 households in Berlin, Germany, which is currently under construction. The households and inhabitants are created synthetically using statistical data derived from a survey among the first people moved in. The age and size structure of these households turn out to be different from the neighboring households. Then, we implement all measures in a microscopic travel demand simulation and quantify the potential modal shifts for four different mobility concepts. The results show that weak and short-term mobility concepts show no significant change in mobility behavior. Only highly integrated projects like bicycle highways into the inner city combined with suburban trains can reduce the need for car-dependent mobility. Shared mobility only fills in the gaps for special occasions but not for daily mobility due to the high costs. In a final step we examine the usage of the introduced public transport services and compare the change in the occupation of the buses and trains. Here our work shows that interchanging from bus to subways and suburban trains drastically reduces the attractiveness of public transport. Introducing a new suburban train changes this situation and the whole region shows a drop of 40% of car trips.

Comparative Analysis Of Calculation Of Expedition Services Using Full Costing And Variable Costing Methods (Case Study at PT. Pulau Indah Maju Palembang)

This research has purpose to know how the calculation of tariffs for public goods transportation services with the company method and compared with full costing and variable costing approaches at PT. Pulau Indah Maju Palembang. This research was conducted using a comparative descriptive analysis technique that compares 3 methods in calculating freight forwarding rates, namely the company method, the full costing method, and the variable costing method. The data collection method used to obtain data and information that supports and complements each other regarding the calculation of freight forwarding rates is an interview with the main director of PT. Pulau Indah Maju, Observations, and documentation. The results of the research are for colt diesel trucks, the company's method is more profitable than the full costing and variable costing approach, for the ankle truck the company's method is more profitable than the full costing and variable costing approach, and for tronton trucks, the variable costing approach is more profitable than the company's method and the full costing approach. From the data analysis that has been carried out, the following conclusions can be drawn: there is no significant difference in the steps for determining the rate of delivery of goods. The absence of such a difference lies in the basis for determining tariffs.

Can Transport Infrastructure Improve Enterprise Energy Efficiency? Evidence From China

As an advanced social development capital, transportation plays a vital role in promoting regional development. Concurrently, the business activities of enterprises intimately relate to these transportation services. Utilizing road construction to improve the energy efficiency of enterprises, therefore, becomes a critical way to promote the transformation of the economy from high-speed development to high-quality development. Existing studies primarily focus on the impact of transport infrastructure on productivity, while few papers focus on the impact mechanism of transport infrastructure on energy efficiency. To delve deeper into the internal relationship between transportation and regional economic development, this paper explores the effect of transport infrastructure on energy utilization efficiency at the enterprise level. Based on the environmental pollution data of Chinese industrial enterprises from 2001 to 2011, this paper analyzes the impact of transport infrastructure on enterprises’ energy efficiency and verifies the impact mechanism. The results show that the construction and improvement of urban road facilities can significantly improve firm energy utilization efficiency. Compared to low-energy consumption sectors, the impact of transportation infrastructure on the energy efficiency of high-energy consumption industry enterprises is notably more pronounced. A closer examination of the impact mechanism revealed that both industrial agglomeration and the cost effect are pivotal mechanisms through which transportation infrastructure affects enterprise energy efficiency. JEL Classification: D21, L91, Q40, Q51

The ambivalent relationship of e-scooters and public transport: Evidence from France

This paper aims at assessing competitiveness of shared e-scooters relative to public transport proposing a methodology that uses empirical data at the individual trip level and comparing e-scooter trips with the alternative public transit route available to the traveler at the time of the trip, as estimated by a navigation and public transit application. This allows us to obtain information at the individual transit trip level, such as in-vehicle time, walking, waiting, and other. We then explore the competitiveness between the two alternatives using two performance measures – travel time (TT) and an estimation of the generalized cost (GC) of a trip – for different levels of aggregation. Results show that in general, e-scooters are more competitive in terms of travel time. However, due to the higher pricing, generalized cost of transit is generally lower than that of e-scooter. In 60% of the cases users would lower their generalized cost by using public transport instead of e-scooter. On average, e-scooter is a better option for trips up to 15min, while public transit is better for longer trips. They are also more competitive during hours when transit frequency is reduced, as well as in areas with reduced service. Finally, we also find that one in five trips complement public transport service offering transportation outside of transit service hours or between areas with no connectivity. Further research should include surveys in order to obtain more details on the psychological constructs of the users.