This contribution proposes a new method to evaluate economic feasibility of the integration of passenger and freight transport services within a shared operational framework (IPFT). Although the integration of public transport (PT) and freight transport has recently received a great deal of attention in the pursuit of sustainable and efficient mobility, analysis has been mostly limited to a single stakeholder within the system (e.g. PT operator, freight operator, PT user or community member). Few systematic analyses have examined the feasibility of such integration from the perspective of an overall economic gain. However, without shared advantages, the incentive for integration diminishes, and operators are likely to continue working independently. To address this issue, we propose a structured framework based on the Markov’s inequality to assess the circumstances in which integration could be economically viable for operators, while also being environmentally beneficial from a global perspective, considering the implications for each of the aforementioned actors. We present a mathematical model to determine the economic feasibility of such a result and identify the conditions under which it can be achieved. We then apply the model to an urban bus line in the Italian city of Forlì. We find that positive results from an integrated system are guaranteed only if there are specific reductions in the number of kilometres travelled by light commercial vehicles and in the commercial speed of public transport. The implications in terms of absolute operational costs are also presented for a specific configuration, i.e. if the reduction of kilometres driven by LCV is 30% and the reduction of commercial speed of IPFT buses is 15%. In all configurations, PT users and clients face increased costs, which must be offset by measures such as reduced fares and increased service frequency. These findings are supported by a case-based sensitivity analysis and provide valuable insights for transport planners and policymakers aiming to promote more integrated and sustainable transport systems.
A Markov-based analysis to assess economic feasibility of integration of passenger and freight transport
Cavallaro, Federico;Nocera, Silvio
;Rossi, Francesco
2027-01-01
Abstract
This contribution proposes a new method to evaluate economic feasibility of the integration of passenger and freight transport services within a shared operational framework (IPFT). Although the integration of public transport (PT) and freight transport has recently received a great deal of attention in the pursuit of sustainable and efficient mobility, analysis has been mostly limited to a single stakeholder within the system (e.g. PT operator, freight operator, PT user or community member). Few systematic analyses have examined the feasibility of such integration from the perspective of an overall economic gain. However, without shared advantages, the incentive for integration diminishes, and operators are likely to continue working independently. To address this issue, we propose a structured framework based on the Markov’s inequality to assess the circumstances in which integration could be economically viable for operators, while also being environmentally beneficial from a global perspective, considering the implications for each of the aforementioned actors. We present a mathematical model to determine the economic feasibility of such a result and identify the conditions under which it can be achieved. We then apply the model to an urban bus line in the Italian city of Forlì. We find that positive results from an integrated system are guaranteed only if there are specific reductions in the number of kilometres travelled by light commercial vehicles and in the commercial speed of public transport. The implications in terms of absolute operational costs are also presented for a specific configuration, i.e. if the reduction of kilometres driven by LCV is 30% and the reduction of commercial speed of IPFT buses is 15%. In all configurations, PT users and clients face increased costs, which must be offset by measures such as reduced fares and increased service frequency. These findings are supported by a case-based sensitivity analysis and provide valuable insights for transport planners and policymakers aiming to promote more integrated and sustainable transport systems.
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