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Core-Periphery Patterns of Generalized Transport Costs: France, 1978-98

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  • Combes, Pierre-Philippe
  • Lafourcade, Miren

Abstract

This Paper develops a methodology to compute transport costs at low infra-country geographical levels. This simultaneously accounts for the real network infrastructure, a distance cost (fuel, repair, tolls), and a time opportunity cost (wages, insurance and general charges, vehicle use). When considering levels, geodesic distance, real distance, and real time are shown to be good substitutes to the measure we develop. By contrast, variations across time are poorly captured by these simpler transport cost measures. Besides, the large decrease in transport costs that occurred in France between 1978 and 1998 - namely 38:2% - is shown to be mainly due to technology improvements and deregulation. New transport infrastructures, which contribute only marginally to this decline, shape the spatial pattern of accessibility improvements, however.

Suggested Citation

  • Combes, Pierre-Philippe & Lafourcade, Miren, 2003. "Core-Periphery Patterns of Generalized Transport Costs: France, 1978-98," CEPR Discussion Papers 3958, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:3958
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    Cited by:

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    2. Henry Overman & Patricia Rice & Anthony Venables, 2010. "Economic Linkages across Space," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 44(1), pages 17-33.
    3. Sabina Buczkowska & Nicolas Coulombel & Matthieu Lapparent, 2019. "A comparison of Euclidean Distance, Travel Times, and Network Distances in Location Choice Mixture Models," Networks and Spatial Economics, Springer, vol. 19(4), pages 1215-1248, December.
    4. Guillaume Daudin, 2003. "La logistique de la mondialisation," Revue de l'OFCE, Presses de Sciences-Po, vol. 87(4), pages 409-435.

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    JEL classification:

    • F15 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Economic Integration
    • H54 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Infrastructures

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