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All Outputs (14)

A Theoretical and Evidence Based Assessment of the Economics of Last Mile Delivery Consolidation (2019)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Cowie, J., & Fisken, K. (2019, December). A Theoretical and Evidence Based Assessment of the Economics of Last Mile Delivery Consolidation. Paper presented at 6th International Workshop on Sustainable Road Freight, University of Cambridge

Much research literature suggests that one mechanism through which the sustainability of road freight could be enhanced within the urban context, is through consolidation of consignments over ‘the last mile’. An often cited added benefit is that thi... Read More about A Theoretical and Evidence Based Assessment of the Economics of Last Mile Delivery Consolidation.

Are Friends Electric? Rethinking City Logistics (2019)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Cowie, J. (2019, October). Are Friends Electric? Rethinking City Logistics. Presented at TRI’s 5th Annual Electric Vehicle Event, Edinburgh Napier University

One commonly proposed solution to urban freight transport issues is the idea of consolidation over the last mile (through urban consolidation centres, UCC). Despite this strong focus, such initiatives have a horrendous commercial record, with very f... Read More about Are Friends Electric? Rethinking City Logistics.

Minimum efficient scale in container port operations over the very long run – is it increasing and does that matter? (2019)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Cowie, J., & Monios, J. (2019, June). Minimum efficient scale in container port operations over the very long run – is it increasing and does that matter?. Paper presented at 27th Annual Conference of the International Association of Maritime Economists

This paper calculates the Minimum Efficient Scale (MES) of container port operations, which, despite significant economic analyses of port efficiency and productivity, has been addressed only rarely thus far. The research also explores the extent to... Read More about Minimum efficient scale in container port operations over the very long run – is it increasing and does that matter?.

Delivering on sustainable logistics by thinking inside the box – a case study of a successful business model (2019)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Cowie, J., & Fisken, K. (2019, May). Delivering on sustainable logistics by thinking inside the box – a case study of a successful business model. Paper presented at 22nd annual Scottish Transport Applications and Research (STAR), Glasgow Caledonian Uni

Much research and EU research funding has been devoted to identifying the key factors that lead to a financially sustainable urban freight consolidation centre. Despite much ‘success’ with this at the academic level, to date no EU funded pilot has s... Read More about Delivering on sustainable logistics by thinking inside the box – a case study of a successful business model.

The bus industry in Scotland – just a bunch of profiteering opportunists? (2018)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Cowie, J. (2018, May). The bus industry in Scotland – just a bunch of profiteering opportunists?. Paper presented at Scottish Transport Applications and Research (STAR) 2018

The Transport Act 1985 privatised and deregulated the bus industry in Great Britain outside of London, with the intention of creating a competitive industry that would compete for patronage through the economic principles of contestability and consum... Read More about The bus industry in Scotland – just a bunch of profiteering opportunists?.

Contract Re-Award and Consumer Sovereignty, the case of British Rail Privatisation. (2017)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Cowie, J. (2017, August). Contract Re-Award and Consumer Sovereignty, the case of British Rail Privatisation. Paper presented at Competition and Ownership in Land Based Public Transport (Thredbo 15), Stockholm

The Railways Act 1993 divided and sold off the state owned British Rail in its entirety and introduced competitive tender into the industry. This paper reviews the industry over the period 2000 to 2015 to determine firstly if TOCs have produced outc... Read More about Contract Re-Award and Consumer Sovereignty, the case of British Rail Privatisation..

Public Transport Regulation (2016)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Cowie, J. (2016, September). Public Transport Regulation. Presented at Presentation given to a delegation from the Chinese Minstry of Transport, Bruntsfield Hotel, Edinburgh

Reregulating the deregulated, a case study of the Scottish Bus market. (2014)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Cowie, J. (2014, January). Reregulating the deregulated, a case study of the Scottish Bus market. Paper presented at 46th Universities Transport Studies Group Conference

Much research surrounds the move from publicly owned and operated bus markets to publicly controlled and privately operated markets, or in the case of Great Britain, a fully deregulated market. Little research however exists concerning the counter mo... Read More about Reregulating the deregulated, a case study of the Scottish Bus market..

Rail Freight in Great Britain – has privatisation made a noticeable difference? (2012)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Cowie, J. (2012, January). Rail Freight in Great Britain – has privatisation made a noticeable difference?. Presented at 44th Annual Conference of the University Transport Study Group

This paper briefly outlines the main changes brought about by the Railways Act 1993 with regard to the rail freight sector and then examines development of the sector since that time. It finds that although rail freight levels have increased, these... Read More about Rail Freight in Great Britain – has privatisation made a noticeable difference?.

Productivity and performance in the British rail freight industry since privatisation. (2010)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Cowie, J. (2010, July). Productivity and performance in the British rail freight industry since privatisation. Paper presented at World Association of Transportation Research (WCTR),

This paper briefly outlines the main changes brought about by the Railways Act 1993 with regard to the rail freight sector and then examines development of the sector since that time. It finds that although rail freight levels have increased, these i... Read More about Productivity and performance in the British rail freight industry since privatisation..

X-Inefficiency in British railway engineering. (2010)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Cowie, J. (2010, July). X-Inefficiency in British railway engineering. Paper presented at World Association of Transportation Research (WCTR),

Over the last decade, British railway engineering has come under increased scrutiny, with general perceptions of massive maintenance cost escalations and a general lack of control over these costs. Very little however has appeared in the academic lit... Read More about X-Inefficiency in British railway engineering..