Decomposing the decoupling of Danish road freight traffic growth and economic growth

TY - JOUR

T1 - Decomposing the decoupling of Danish road freight traffic growth and economic growth

AU - Kveiborg, Ole

AU - Fosgerau, Mogens

PY - 2007/1

Y1 - 2007/1

N2 - In recent years many European countries have seen a decoupling of the growth in road freight traffic (vehicle kilometres) from economic growth. A similar decoupling has not been observed in road freight transport (tonne kilometres). In this paper the historical growth in national Danish road freight traffic and transport is attributed to causes using a Divisia index decomposition method. It is demonstrated that overall road freight traffic growth is a consequence of often opposite pointing growth effects in the underlying factors. The observed decoupling of road freight traffic growth from economic growth is mainly the result of use of larger vehicles, increasing average loads, and less empty running. Growth in road freight transport is primarily caused by growth in production. A decrease in the number of tons lifted per tonne produced (the handling factor) is offset by an increase in the tonne kilometres per tonne lifted.

AB - In recent years many European countries have seen a decoupling of the growth in road freight traffic (vehicle kilometres) from economic growth. A similar decoupling has not been observed in road freight transport (tonne kilometres). In this paper the historical growth in national Danish road freight traffic and transport is attributed to causes using a Divisia index decomposition method. It is demonstrated that overall road freight traffic growth is a consequence of often opposite pointing growth effects in the underlying factors. The observed decoupling of road freight traffic growth from economic growth is mainly the result of use of larger vehicles, increasing average loads, and less empty running. Growth in road freight transport is primarily caused by growth in production. A decrease in the number of tons lifted per tonne produced (the handling factor) is offset by an increase in the tonne kilometres per tonne lifted.

KW - Decomposition

KW - Decoupling

KW - Freight

KW - Growth

KW - Sustainable development

KW - Transport

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=33845750105&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.tranpol.2006.07.002

DO - 10.1016/j.tranpol.2006.07.002

M3 - Journal article

AN - SCOPUS:33845750105

SN - 0967-070X

VL - 14

SP - 39

EP - 48

JO - Transport Policy

JF - Transport Policy

IS - 1

ER -