Pub Date : 2025-12-31DOI: 10.1016/j.cstp.2025.101702
Javier Alarcón
A new extension of dematerialization theory is presented to define depollution conditions. The model explicitly considers the carbon-saving performance of replacing conventional combustion-engine vehicles by electric vehicles –not only in the use phase, but also in production and scrapping–, the penetration rate, the car fleet and mileage over time, and the potential rebound effect. Using this model, decarbonisation scenarios are envisioned for the electrification of passenger cars in Spain. The findings suggest that, while vehicle electrification can be seen as the main driver for achieving decarbonisation goals in road transport, certain limitations on car use and on the purchase of new vehicles would help significantly.
{"title":"Decarbonisation potential in the automotive sector through an extension of dematerialization theory","authors":"Javier Alarcón","doi":"10.1016/j.cstp.2025.101702","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cstp.2025.101702","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A new extension of dematerialization theory is presented to define depollution conditions. The model explicitly considers the carbon-saving performance of replacing conventional combustion-engine vehicles by electric vehicles –not only in the use phase, but also in production and scrapping–, the penetration rate, the car fleet and mileage over time, and the potential rebound effect. Using this model, decarbonisation scenarios are envisioned for the electrification of passenger cars in Spain. The findings suggest that, while vehicle electrification can be seen as the main driver for achieving decarbonisation goals in road transport, certain limitations on car use and on the purchase of new vehicles would help significantly.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":46989,"journal":{"name":"Case Studies on Transport Policy","volume":"23 ","pages":"Article 101702"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145924542","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This study utilises the panel dataset of 39 state road transport undertakings (SRTUs) in India spanning the period from 2013 to 2018, to evaluate the performance of SRTUs by employing a directional-distance-meta-frontier-based network data envelopment analysis (DDF-MF-NDEA) framework. This method explicitly accounts for heterogeneity in operational technologies and assesses technological gaps across both efficiency and effectiveness stages. The analysis considers key input variables, including the number of buses, fuel consumption, and staff strength (drivers and conductors), along with output variables such as vehicle-kilometres, passenger-kilometres, passengers carried, number of breakdowns, and number of accidents. The findings reveal persistent inefficiencies at both stages while considering the significant technological disparities between metropolitan and non-metropolitan SRTUs groups. The results reveal an average improvement potential in efficiency, effectiveness, and overall performance across all SRTUs during the study period. Notably, non-metropolitan SRTUs exhibit higher efficiency but lower effectiveness compared to their metropolitan counterparts. These insights offer robust decision support tools for policymakers and transport managers, enabling targeted interventions to optimise the operational and financial performance of SRTUs. It helps in advancing sustainable and socially equitable public transportation.
{"title":"Performance evaluation of passenger road transportation in India’s state road transport undertakings: A meta-frontier network data envelopment analysis","authors":"Swati Goyal , Sunil Kumar , Shivi Agarwal , Trilok Mathur","doi":"10.1016/j.cstp.2025.101692","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cstp.2025.101692","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study utilises the panel dataset of 39 state road transport undertakings (SRTUs) in India spanning the period from 2013 to 2018, to evaluate the performance of SRTUs by employing a directional-distance-<em>meta</em>-frontier-based network data envelopment analysis (DDF-MF-NDEA) framework. This method explicitly accounts for heterogeneity in operational technologies and assesses technological gaps across both efficiency and effectiveness stages. The analysis considers key input variables, including the number of buses, fuel consumption, and staff strength (drivers and conductors), along with output variables such as vehicle-kilometres, passenger-kilometres, passengers carried, number of breakdowns, and number of accidents. The findings reveal persistent inefficiencies at both stages while considering the significant technological disparities between metropolitan and non-metropolitan SRTUs groups. The results reveal an average improvement potential in efficiency, effectiveness, and overall performance across all SRTUs during the study period. Notably, non-metropolitan SRTUs exhibit higher efficiency but lower effectiveness compared to their metropolitan counterparts. These insights offer robust decision support tools for policymakers and transport managers, enabling targeted interventions to optimise the operational and financial performance of SRTUs. It helps in advancing sustainable and socially equitable public transportation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":46989,"journal":{"name":"Case Studies on Transport Policy","volume":"23 ","pages":"Article 101692"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145976475","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-30DOI: 10.1016/j.cstp.2025.101701
Yelda Inanc , Ceren Altuntaş , Gültekin Altuntaş
This study assesses the sustainability performance of leading global logistics businesses, evaluating them based on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria. The study analyzes 10 Fortune 500 logistics businesses with current ESG data. The study employs objective methods, such as CRITIC and ENTROPY, to weigh the criteria, while MARCOS and TOPSIS are used to rank the businesses. This tests the sensitivity of ESG performance to different methodological approaches, thereby increasing the reliability of the results. The findings show that emissions and environmental innovation criteria receive the highest weightings, while the workforce gets the lowest. Furthermore, the businesses’ rankings vary by method. In this case, some businesses demonstrate balanced and consistent performance across all metrics, while others excel only in specific areas. The study provides theoretical and practical insights into ESG performance in logistics, offering guidance for investors, businesses, policymakers, and researchers.
{"title":"Multi-criteria decision-making framework for ESG evaluation in the logistics industry","authors":"Yelda Inanc , Ceren Altuntaş , Gültekin Altuntaş","doi":"10.1016/j.cstp.2025.101701","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cstp.2025.101701","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study assesses the sustainability performance of leading global logistics businesses, evaluating them based on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria. The study analyzes 10 Fortune 500 logistics businesses with current ESG data. The study employs objective methods, such as CRITIC and ENTROPY, to weigh the criteria, while MARCOS and TOPSIS are used to rank the businesses. This tests the sensitivity of ESG performance to different methodological approaches, thereby increasing the reliability of the results. The findings show that emissions and environmental innovation criteria receive the highest weightings, while the workforce gets the lowest. Furthermore, the businesses’ rankings vary by method. In this case, some businesses demonstrate balanced and consistent performance across all metrics, while others excel only in specific areas. The study provides theoretical and practical insights into ESG performance in logistics, offering guidance for investors, businesses, policymakers, and researchers.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":46989,"journal":{"name":"Case Studies on Transport Policy","volume":"23 ","pages":"Article 101701"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145883555","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Megacities in developing countries face severe traffic congestion and air pollution, exacerbated by high private car use for commuting. Travel demand management (TDM) policies like telecommuting and flexible working hours (flextime) offer potential relief. However, their integrated impacts on traffic, non-renewable energy consumption, and environment in such contexts are not well quantified. Therefore, this research contributes to the literature by modeling different adoption rates, informed by a stated preference (SP) survey in Tehran, and comparing the traffic, non-renewable energy consumption, and environmental effects for different scenarios.
Method
This study employs an integrated framework for Tehran, Iran. First, an SP survey of 1,413 employees informed realistic adoption rates. These rates were then used to develop policy scenarios which were modeled in the Tehran Comprehensive Transportation Model (TCTM) to assess changes in morning peak travel demand. Impacts were evaluated across traffic performance, fuel consumption, and pollutant emissions.
Findings
A 20% telecommuting adoption scenario increases average network speed by 11.8%, reduces travel time by 17.2%, and cuts gasoline and diesel consumption and carbon monoxide (CO) emission by 13.2%, 1.3%, and 14.3%, respectively. Besides, a 22% flextime adoption scenario outperforming 20% telecommuting by increasing speed by 15.0%, reducing travel time by 21.2%, and achieving greater reductions in gasoline and diesel consumption by 16.2% and 4.4% and CO emissions by 17.4%. Results offer evidence-based recommendations that can be used by policymakers and urban transportation planners in pursuit of sustainable transportation options in rapidly urbanizing cities.
{"title":"Unlocking gridlock: how telecommuting and flexible working hours can mitigate urban congestion and air pollution","authors":"Mahsa Aboutorabi Kashani , Amirhossein Baghestani , Mohammadhossein Abbasi , Meeghat Habibian , Amir Reza Mamdoohi","doi":"10.1016/j.cstp.2025.101699","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cstp.2025.101699","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Megacities in developing countries face severe traffic congestion and air pollution, exacerbated by high private car use for commuting. Travel demand management (TDM) policies like telecommuting and flexible working hours (flextime) offer potential relief. However, their integrated impacts on traffic, non-renewable energy consumption, and environment in such contexts are not well quantified. Therefore, this research contributes to the literature by modeling different adoption rates, informed by a stated preference (SP) survey in Tehran, and comparing the traffic, non-renewable energy consumption, and environmental effects for different scenarios.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>This study employs an integrated framework for Tehran, Iran. First, an SP survey of 1,413 employees informed realistic adoption rates. These rates were then used to develop policy scenarios which were modeled in the Tehran Comprehensive Transportation Model (TCTM) to assess changes in morning peak travel demand. Impacts were evaluated across traffic performance, fuel consumption, and pollutant emissions.</div></div><div><h3>Findings</h3><div>A 20% telecommuting adoption scenario increases average network speed by 11.8%, reduces travel time by 17.2%, and cuts gasoline and diesel consumption and carbon monoxide (CO) emission by 13.2%, 1.3%, and 14.3%, respectively. Besides, a 22% flextime adoption scenario outperforming 20% telecommuting by increasing speed by 15.0%, reducing travel time by 21.2%, and achieving greater reductions in gasoline and diesel consumption by 16.2% and 4.4% and CO emissions by 17.4%. Results offer evidence-based recommendations that can be used by policymakers and urban transportation planners in pursuit of sustainable transportation options in rapidly urbanizing cities.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":46989,"journal":{"name":"Case Studies on Transport Policy","volume":"23 ","pages":"Article 101699"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145883563","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-29DOI: 10.1016/j.cstp.2025.101698
Fernando Torres , Joel Mendez , Alex Diener , Ward Lyles
Bus stops in the United States vary widely in the amenities they provide riders. Commonly, bus stops consist of a sign on a pole, although some feature sheltered structures, benches, ADA ramps, trash cans, and even art. Existing literature highlights the importance of bus stop amenities to protect riders and provide comfort while waiting for their bus. Emerging research indicates that bus stop amenities are not equitably distributed to members of disadvantaged communities, who often are also transit dependent. We explore the socio-economic factors and transit system characteristics associated with the distribution of bus stops and bus stop amenities at the block group level in the city of St. Louis, MO, a major United States city with a legacy of racial segregation. Using census data, ArcGIS, and linear regressions, we find that even though minority populations are positively correlated with overall bus stops, they are negatively correlated with stop amenities, particularly with shelters. We also find a positive relationship between bus stop amenities and jobs. Even though bus stops are usually overlooked given the tight budgets of transit agencies, the addition of amenities can protect riders and attract potential new users. Taking an equity perspective, we emphasize the need to understand and even out how transportation infrastructure is distributed among disadvantaged groups in order to address any transit and urban planning disparities.
{"title":"Explaining the variation of bus stop Amenities: The case of St. Louis, MO, USA","authors":"Fernando Torres , Joel Mendez , Alex Diener , Ward Lyles","doi":"10.1016/j.cstp.2025.101698","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cstp.2025.101698","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Bus stops in the United States vary widely in the amenities they provide riders. Commonly, bus stops consist of a sign on a pole, although some feature sheltered structures, benches, ADA ramps, trash cans, and even art. Existing literature highlights the importance of bus stop amenities to protect riders and provide comfort while waiting for their bus. Emerging research indicates that bus stop amenities are not equitably distributed to members of disadvantaged communities, who often are also transit dependent. We explore the socio-economic factors and transit system characteristics associated with the distribution of bus stops and bus stop amenities at the block group level in the city of St. Louis, MO, a major United States city with a legacy of racial segregation. Using census data, ArcGIS, and linear regressions, we find that even though minority populations are positively correlated with overall bus stops, they are negatively correlated with stop amenities, particularly with shelters. We also find a positive relationship between bus stop amenities and jobs. Even though bus stops are usually overlooked given the tight budgets of transit agencies, the addition of amenities can protect riders and attract potential new users. Taking an equity perspective, we emphasize the need to understand and even out how transportation infrastructure is distributed among disadvantaged groups in order to address any transit and urban planning disparities.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":46989,"journal":{"name":"Case Studies on Transport Policy","volume":"23 ","pages":"Article 101698"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145883557","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-25DOI: 10.1016/j.cstp.2025.101697
Latifah Abdul Ghani, Athirah Sajidah Abu Hassan
High-Speed Rail (HSR) projects such as the local East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) are development projects that are very meaningful to the well-being of the community between the east coast and the west coast of the Malaysian peninsula. To study the actual achievement of environmental performance from this project, researchers need to identify the level of involvement and interaction networks of actors in managing environmental issues and problems during the construction phase. The lack of accurate data for the construction phase compared to the operation phase is still underexplored, which has prompted this research to include the Social Network Analysis (SNA) method in an effort to answer a research question, namely: does the social network among stakeholders serve as a channel for transferring information related to environmental issues in the Besut Railway Project in Terengganu? This study employs a qualitative approach, utilizing observation and interviews with 25 respondents. The data collected were analyzed using UCINET version 6.7 software. The findings indicate that the train developer contractor exhibited a greater level of engagement in addressing environmental issues compared to other stakeholders. This is supported by the values of the level center and betweenness. Additionally, the study recommends several measures to tackle environmental challenges associated with railway projects, including conducting comprehensive environmental impact assessments (EIA) and social impact assessments (SIA), engaging stakeholders in the decision-making process regarding environmental concerns, and enhancing public awareness of these issues. In conclusion, addressing the environmental problems arising from railway projects necessitates collaboration among all parties. The public should not leave this responsibility solely to contractors; through community participation, environmental issues can be minimized, leading to more effective implementation of local railway projects.
{"title":"Using SNA to understand knowledge transfer levels regarding environmental issues in the high-speed railway (HSR) project in Malaysia","authors":"Latifah Abdul Ghani, Athirah Sajidah Abu Hassan","doi":"10.1016/j.cstp.2025.101697","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cstp.2025.101697","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>High-Speed Rail (HSR) projects such as the local East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) are development projects that are very meaningful to the well-being of the community between the east coast and the west coast of the Malaysian peninsula. To study the actual achievement of environmental performance from this project, researchers need to identify the level of involvement and interaction networks of actors in managing environmental issues and problems during the construction phase. The lack of accurate data for the construction phase compared to the operation phase is still underexplored, which has prompted this research to include the Social Network Analysis (SNA) method in an effort to answer a research question, namely: does the social network among stakeholders serve as a channel for transferring information related to environmental issues in the Besut Railway Project in Terengganu? This study employs a qualitative approach, utilizing observation and interviews with 25 respondents. The data collected were analyzed using UCINET version 6.7 software. The findings indicate that the train developer contractor exhibited a greater level of engagement in addressing environmental issues compared to other stakeholders. This is supported by the values of the level center and betweenness. Additionally, the study recommends several measures to tackle environmental challenges associated with railway projects, including conducting comprehensive environmental impact assessments (EIA) and social impact assessments (SIA), engaging stakeholders in the decision-making process regarding environmental concerns, and enhancing public awareness of these issues. In conclusion, addressing the environmental problems arising from railway projects necessitates collaboration among all parties. The public should not leave this responsibility solely to contractors; through community participation, environmental issues can be minimized, leading to more effective implementation of local railway projects.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":46989,"journal":{"name":"Case Studies on Transport Policy","volume":"23 ","pages":"Article 101697"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146037373","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-25DOI: 10.1016/j.cstp.2025.101696
M. Ashifur Rahman , Tara Tolford , Siam Junaed , Subasish Das , Ahmed Hossain , Milhan Moomen , Elisabeta Mitran , Julius Codjoe
Interstate highways prioritize high-speed, long-distance, uninterrupted traffic, and exclude facilities for pedestrian access. This stems from the primary goal of facilitating efficient vehicular travel while minimizing hazards, as infrastructure like pedestrian crossings or sidewalks could disrupt traffic flow, increase crash risks, and impair interstate mobility. Despite regulations prohibiting pedestrians on U.S. interstates, fatal vehicle–pedestrian crashes are increasing, with limited studies addressing the issue. This study extracts pedestrian crash data (total = 2,321) from the Fatality Analysis and Reporting System (FARS) database (2015–2019) and uses Association Rule Mining (ARM) to identify patterns in pedestrian actions associated with fatal pedestrian crashes on interstates. Key findings indicate that posted speed limits of 60 mph or higher and multiple traffic lanes (3–4) are common factors contributing to fatalities in pedestrian crossing-related crashes. Pedestrian fatalities involving walking or running along interstates frequently occur between midnight and early morning, near ramps, in poorly lit rural areas, and on roads with posted speed limits of 70 mph or higher. Crashes involving disabled vehicles are linked to driver distraction and alcohol impairment, typically occurring on interstate shoulders. Hit-and-run crashes, work zone incidents, and alcohol-related crashes predominantly involve male pedestrians and drivers, and often occur in rural areas or on weekends. This comprehensive analysis enhances the understanding of fatal pedestrian crashes on interstates, providing valuable insights into potential context-based strategies for transportation safety planners and policymakers.
{"title":"Pedestrian fatalities on U.S. interstates: a pattern mining approach to investigating pedestrian actions and policy implications","authors":"M. Ashifur Rahman , Tara Tolford , Siam Junaed , Subasish Das , Ahmed Hossain , Milhan Moomen , Elisabeta Mitran , Julius Codjoe","doi":"10.1016/j.cstp.2025.101696","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cstp.2025.101696","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Interstate highways prioritize high-speed, long-distance, uninterrupted traffic, and exclude facilities for pedestrian access. This stems from the primary goal of facilitating efficient vehicular travel while minimizing hazards, as infrastructure like pedestrian crossings or sidewalks could disrupt traffic flow, increase crash risks, and impair interstate mobility. Despite regulations prohibiting pedestrians on U.S. interstates, fatal vehicle–pedestrian crashes are increasing, with limited studies addressing the issue. This study extracts pedestrian crash data (total = 2,321) from the Fatality Analysis and Reporting System (FARS) database (2015–2019) and uses Association Rule Mining (ARM) to identify patterns in pedestrian actions associated with fatal pedestrian crashes on interstates. Key findings indicate that posted speed limits of 60 mph or higher and multiple traffic lanes (3–4) are common factors contributing to fatalities in pedestrian crossing-related crashes. Pedestrian fatalities involving walking or running along interstates frequently occur between midnight and early morning, near ramps, in poorly lit rural areas, and on roads with posted speed limits of 70 mph or higher. Crashes involving disabled vehicles are linked to driver distraction and alcohol impairment, typically occurring on interstate shoulders. Hit-and-run crashes, work zone incidents, and alcohol-related crashes predominantly involve male pedestrians and drivers, and often occur in rural areas or on weekends. This comprehensive analysis enhances the understanding of fatal pedestrian crashes on interstates, providing valuable insights into potential context-based strategies for transportation safety planners and policymakers.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":46989,"journal":{"name":"Case Studies on Transport Policy","volume":"23 ","pages":"Article 101696"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145883554","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ports serve as critical gateways to global trade, and their efficiency directly affects national economic performance. Among core port operations, pilotage and towage services ensure safe and efficient vessel movements, forming essential components of maritime logistics. Given the growing complexity of port operations and the increasing role of private sector participation, outsourcing these services has become a strategic policy concern. This study aims to develop a context-specific framework for outsourcing pilotage and towage operations within the Iranian port system. Employing a qualitative grounded theory approach, fifteen in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with managers of the Ports and Maritime Organization, private service providers, and shipping companies. Data were analyzed through open, axial, and selective coding using NVIVO software. The findings led to the development of a multi-layered paradigm model integrating causal, contextual, and intervening conditions that influence outsourcing strategies, including decisions on full versus partial outsourcing, regional versus cluster-based allocation, and non-profit versus for-profit contractors. The results indicate that successful outsourcing depends on aligning private sector maturity, regulatory clarity, and financial incentives with national maritime governance structures. The study contributes theoretically by extending outsourcing and port governance frameworks to the context of developing economies and practically by offering policymakers a structured decision-making model for evaluating alternative outsourcing strategies in pilotage and towage operations.
{"title":"Outsourcing strategies for pilotage and towage Operations: A grounded theory approach","authors":"Somayeh Moravej , Ismail Jafarpanah , Zoha Kazemi , Fatemeh Hesabi","doi":"10.1016/j.cstp.2025.101691","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cstp.2025.101691","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ports serve as critical gateways to global trade, and their efficiency directly affects national economic performance. Among core port operations, pilotage and towage services ensure safe and efficient vessel movements, forming essential components of maritime logistics. Given the growing complexity of port operations and the increasing role of private sector participation, outsourcing these services has become a strategic policy concern. This study aims to develop a context-specific framework for outsourcing pilotage and towage operations within the Iranian port system. Employing a qualitative grounded theory approach, fifteen in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with managers of the Ports and Maritime Organization, private service providers, and shipping companies. Data were analyzed through open, axial, and selective coding using NVIVO software. The findings led to the development of a multi-layered paradigm model integrating causal, contextual, and intervening conditions that influence outsourcing strategies, including decisions on full versus partial outsourcing, regional versus cluster-based allocation, and non-profit versus for-profit contractors. The results indicate that successful outsourcing depends on aligning private sector maturity, regulatory clarity, and financial incentives with national maritime governance structures. The study contributes theoretically by extending outsourcing and port governance frameworks to the context of developing economies and practically by offering policymakers a structured decision-making model for evaluating alternative outsourcing strategies in pilotage and towage operations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":46989,"journal":{"name":"Case Studies on Transport Policy","volume":"23 ","pages":"Article 101691"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145883564","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-21DOI: 10.1016/j.cstp.2025.101690
Khashayar Safavinia
The current situation in the Red Sea is indeed a maritime security concern, undermining the effectiveness of the Suez Canal (hereinafter referred to as the Canal)—one of the world’s most critical and strategic locations. The Canal is a strategic maritime trading route and chokepoint. It links the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea, and ships carried approximately 12–15 percent of the world’s trade1 through it in 2023. However, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), in January 2024, the trading amount dropped by 42 percent compared to its peak in 2023, which was approximately 2,300 monthly transits.2 The impracticality of maritime chokepoints, such as the Suez and Panama Canals or the Black Sea, is due to three reasons: firstly, the impact of the Ukraine war on global food security and seaborne distances. For instance, Brazil and the United States of America (hereinafter referred to as the US), rather than Ukraine, are Egypt’s grain suppliers. Secondly, the catastrophic outcome of climate change on the Panama Canal, and thirdly, the maritime situation in the Red Sea caused by an armed group known as the Houthis of Yemen. The situation is a complex combination of a marine security case and principles of public international law. A holistic approach could duly address its legal complexities and problems, i.e. analysis of Houthis’ attacks on not only the merchant vessels but also warships in violation of international law. As it may be the case, the law of naval warfare (hereinafter referred to as LoNW) could be an applicable source of contemplation if applied to the status quo. In addition, the topic encompasses key historical points concerning the construction of the Canal, along with the traditional and contemporary debates related to the subject matter. Thus, the overall evaluation shall revolve around maritime security issues and the public international law formulations.
{"title":"The Disabled Ancient Phenomenon: Perceivable Legal Debates Attributable to the Architects and a Foreseeable Global Trade Emergency","authors":"Khashayar Safavinia","doi":"10.1016/j.cstp.2025.101690","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cstp.2025.101690","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The current situation in the Red Sea is indeed a maritime security concern, undermining the effectiveness of the Suez Canal (hereinafter referred to as the Canal)—one of the world’s most critical and strategic locations. The Canal is a strategic maritime trading route and chokepoint. It links the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea, and ships carried approximately 12–15 percent of the world’s trade<span><span><sup>1</sup></span></span> through it in 2023. However, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), in January 2024, the trading amount dropped by 42 percent compared to its peak in 2023, which was approximately 2,300 monthly transits.<span><span><sup>2</sup></span></span> The impracticality of maritime chokepoints, such as the Suez and Panama Canals or the Black Sea, is due to three reasons: firstly, the impact of the Ukraine war on global food security and seaborne distances. For instance, Brazil and the United States of America (hereinafter referred to as the US), rather than Ukraine, are Egypt’s grain suppliers. Secondly, the catastrophic outcome of climate change on the Panama Canal, and thirdly, the maritime situation in the Red Sea caused by an armed group known as the Houthis of Yemen. The situation is a complex combination of a marine security case and principles of public international law. A holistic approach could duly address its legal complexities and problems, i.e. analysis of Houthis’ attacks on not only the merchant vessels but also warships in violation of international law. As it may be the case, the law of naval warfare (hereinafter referred to as LoNW) could be an applicable source of contemplation if applied to the status quo. In addition, the topic encompasses key historical points concerning the construction of the Canal, along with the traditional and contemporary debates related to the subject matter. Thus, the overall evaluation shall revolve around maritime security issues and the public international law formulations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":46989,"journal":{"name":"Case Studies on Transport Policy","volume":"23 ","pages":"Article 101690"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145883566","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-20DOI: 10.1016/j.cstp.2025.101695
Chunli Zhao , Mengtian Xue , Zahra Hamidi
Shared e-scooters (SEs) are increasingly integrated into urban mobility systems, yet their role in commuting and contribution to sustainable transport remain insufficiently understood. This study examines SE commuting patterns in Malmo, Sweden, focusing on their use as both a first-/last-mile connection to public transport and a primary commuting mode. Using pre-pandemic trip data from a major SE operator and spatial analysis, we analyzed travel flows, user characteristics, and built environment factors influencing SE use. Results show that 53 % of morning commuting trips employ SEs as the primary mode of transport, while the remainder function as first-/last-mile connections, mainly among centrally located residents or those transferring to public transport for longer commutes. The average trip distance is 2.3 km. SE use is most common among adults aged 19–45 and students and is not positively associated with higher income. Greater population density and mixed areas with commercial, industrial, and public service buildings correspond with higher SE usage, whereas longer distance from the city center reduces SE uptake. In peripheral areas with limited public transport and within approximately 3 km buffer of stations, SEs complement public transport. However, easy access to car parking lowers the likelihood of SE use as a driving alternative. Good cycling infrastructure exists further from the central areas encourage the adoption of SEs as a primary commuting mode. The study suggests policy perspectives for shaping SE towards a more sustainable role.
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