Highways in Europe - between public and private provision

  • This paper discusses different options for institutional arrangements providing network infrastructure on the basis of the ‘transaction cost economic’ approach using the example of highway infrastructure. Drawing on lessons learned from highway provision in three European countries (Italy, Poland and Spain), five models of highway provision are discussed: public authorities, public enterprises, user clubs, private partnerships or a regulated private market. Three options to regulate the private market are presented: a rate-of-return regulation, a price-cap-regulation and franchise bidding. The main factor that makes private construction and provision expensive are the risk premiums of private companies that are incorporated for political risks. It is argued that the optimal model of highway provision depends on each country-specific situation. This is mainly influenced by the regulatory experience within the country on one hand and by the stage of highway development on the other.

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Metadaten
Author details:Christian Ludwig Humborg
URN:urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-46071
Publication type:Article
Language:English
Publication year:2010
Publishing institution:Universität Potsdam
Release date:2010/08/23
Organizational units:Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaftliche Fakultät / Wirtschaftswissenschaften
DDC classification:3 Sozialwissenschaften / 33 Wirtschaft / 330 Wirtschaft
License (German):License LogoKeine öffentliche Lizenz: Unter Urheberrechtsschutz
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