The booklet contains the report by professor J.P. Baumgartner and includes a summary of the discussion of the paper. Physical indicators such as passengers, passenger-kilometres, tonnes carried and tonne-kilometres are indispensable in the measurement of transport volume, although there is no common parameter. Value indicators, such as turnover, are useful in determining the overall activity of operators and modes. More attention should be given to methods of supplementing quantitative measures with qualitative indices. The discussion centred on the difficulties involved in the methods of compilation and interpretation of transport statistics. The management needs of transport operators are distinguished from those of policy planners. The general principles of the collection of macro-economic data are discussed. More effective use can be made of data by designing batteries of indices, careful co-ordination and systematic adjustment of collected data to meet objectives.
Abstract