Non-parametric efficiency analysis of urban transport systems

Alexander Kaiser and Axel Schaffer

Transportation Planning and Technology, 2025, vol. 48, issue 3, 489-505

Abstract: To promote territorial mobility and reduce environmental impacts at the same time, transport policy often targets (energy-)efficiency of urban transport systems. Thus far though, related studies are focused on particular transport modes or operators. Given, the multi-modal character of urban mobility, the present study suggests broadening the perspective and accounting for public and private transport. Based on a two-stage non-parametric technique, the efficiency of 49 German municipalities alongside transport systems’ inefficiency determinants is assessed. In line with previous studies, we find highly populated municipalities to operate more efficiently than smaller ones. Second, efficiency is driven by modal split and individual mobility patterns, with a positive correlation between territorial mobility and trips made by bike or public transport. Finally, the results suggest that negative impacts of trip density (e.g. congestion) might counter the positive influence of higher compactness on efficiency, once a certain threshold of urbanization is reached.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1080/03081060.2024.2422402

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