Transport Regulation Matters

Transport has become a major concern on both social and economic grounds in the late-twentieth century. This concern arises from a perception of the industry's failure to respond to the rapid growth in demand and to the threat of congestion and environmental pollution. A solution has been sought in economic policies dominated by ideas of liberalization and deregulation. This volume moves the debate an important step further by pointing out that the argument is not simply one of regulation as opposed to deregulation, but between different degrees and forms of regulation. It also analyses the effects of regulation through the study of how the modes of transport adjust to the changing regulatory environment. This collection of original essays is written by a prestigious group of contributors and draws on economics, sociology, planning, political science and industrial relations. They focus on both a national and international perspective, including contributions analyzing urban transport, railways, shipping, ports and aviation. This work offers a timely and comprehensive assessment of the extent of changes in transport regulatory policies. It casts specific doubt on much of the perceived wisdom on deregulation. These are clearly written and richly informed studies which will stimulate and enlighten both students and scholars of regulation, as well as the lay reader with an interest in transport.