transportøkonomi

Transportøkonomi, or transport economics, is the study of how transportation systems allocate scarce resources and influence the movement of people and goods. It combines economics, engineering, geography, and urban planning to understand the behavior of transport demand and the performance of transport supply. The core concerns include travel time, reliability, safety, capacity, and the costs and benefits of different modes and networks. A central theme is efficiency and welfare: how to maximize social welfare by weighing benefits such as reduced travel time and improved accessibility against costs including construction, operation, congestion, accidents, and emissions.

Externalities are a defining feature: individual travel decisions impose costs or benefits on others. Transport economists use methods such as cost-benefit analysis, travel demand modelling, and network analysis to inform policy. Pricing and incentives—such as congestion pricing, fuel taxes, tolls, and emissions pricing—are commonly studied tools to manage demand and fund infrastructure. Regulation, competition, and public ownership also shape outcomes, with financing spanning public budgets, user charges, and public-private partnerships.

The field addresses mode choice and modal shift, urban form, and land-use interactions. It places increasing emphasis on sustainability and decarbonization, exploring strategies to promote rail, public transit, walking, cycling, and efficient freight logistics, as well as the role of electrification and low-emission technologies. Policy applications include investment appraisal, regulatory design, and regional planning. Transportøkonomi informs decisions at local, national, and international levels, balancing mobility, economic productivity, environmental protection, and equity.