Logistics Economics

Workshop 1 – economic problems.doc 1You will be organised into teams. Each member chooses one of the tasks.Workshop 1 – Transport economic problems & the localeconomyTask 1Listed below are a number of major transport related issues facing society today.Identify which ones are related to the ‘economics of transport’ using the internet.Some of them are related to other dimensions such as political or social factors.You may find that there is no clear division between economic, social or politicalfactors. Where this is the case you should consider those other factors andwhere the economics of the issue ‘fit’ in the wider picture.1 Politicians and business managers in the UK are often said to sufferfrom ‘short-termism’. There are numerous examples of this in UKtransport policy, such as the privatisation of the rail network.2 The negative impact on the natural environment of all transport relatedactivities.3 The role of transport in ‘unifying’ the European Union4 Increasing levels of trucks and other vehicles on the roads5 Increasing amount of land being given over to support transportactivitiesTask 2Think of your own local business environment, (especially if you are an overseasstudent from the developing world) and identify the main transport initiatives orprojects that have been undertaken over the last 25 to 30 years. Use the internetto help identify them.Consider whether they are demand or supplier led projects at both the time ofconstruction and whether they are still demand or supplier led today.Deliverables:Using flipchart paper or slides/word processor for the reflection and list: Your answers to each of the tasks Any assumptions you have made Justify your responses with referenced evidenceM22AAE Logistics EconomicsWorkshop 1 – economic problems.doc 2Groups should expect their findings and outputs to be peer reviewed atleast once by the end of the semesterHints & tips:Let’s keep it simple.For the purposes of this exercise, if you find that you are getting into lengthydiscussions on certain points, please use an “Assumptions parking lot”PHOTOGRAPH OR SCAN YOUR FINAL NOTES, OR INPUT TO A WORDPROCESSING DOCUMENT AND POST IT IN THE WORKSHOP AREA ONMOODLEDO NOT FORGET TO INCLUDE YOUR GROUP MEMBER’S NAMES ONYOUR CONTENT!RECORD YOUR FINDINGS FROM THIS ACTIVITY IN THE WORKSHOP AREAIN MOODLE