The new energy environment has an impact on all economic process and requires an appropriate analysis to draw conclusions that will help rationalise transport planning. Transportation is among the sectors most affected by current energy problems. It may be effected even more in the future. This study is based on the state-of-affairs in Spain and first examines the continuing energy crisis that dominates the world. This discussion is followed by an intermodal energy analysis of the transport sector based on gross performance (quantitative efficiency), degree of dependence (quality efficiency), adaptability to the productive structure (efficiency in time), versatility (technological efficiency) and economy (economic efficiency). This analysis facilitates a systematic study of transport modes from the point of view of energy, and proposes a group of clearly identifiable and easily calculated indicators which should be considered in any comparative examination of different transport modes. (A)
Abstract