Barrier effects of international borders on fixed link traffic generation: the case of Øresundsbron

Knowles, RD; Matthiessen, CW

Abstract

Traffic predictions for large road and rail projects are often inaccurate. International borders create political,
cultural and economic barriers which reduce the demand for international transport, partly offset by
some opportunities which increase transport demand. An expert opinion approach is used to help identify
and evaluate the effect of these barriers on transport demand. The research explores why initial traffic
levels predicted for the Øresund fixed link between Copenhagen in Denmark and Malmö in Sweden
were not achieved. It uses the Danish Great Belt fixed link as a control case in assessing the scale of these
barriers to interaction. Subsequent trans-Øresund traffic growth is attributed mainly to a tax agreement
between the Danish and Swedish governments to assist cross-border commuters, to discounted tolls and
to complementary labour and housing market opportunities.

Citation

Knowles, R., & Matthiessen, C. (2009). Barrier effects of international borders on fixed link traffic generation: the case of Øresundsbron. Journal of Transport Geography, 17(3), 155-165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2008.11.001

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2009
• Deposit Date: Dec 21, 2011
• Journal: Journal of Transport Geography
• Print ISSN: 0966-6923
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 17
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 155-165
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2008.11.001
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2008.11.001