The relationship between the economy, mobility, infrastructure, and other regional features is described by an interregional dynamic model, named MOBILEC. In fact MOBILEC is a neoclassical growth model, but adapted in such a way that it can generate unemployment. The model is macroeconomic on the level of regions within a country or country parts within Europe. The model contains essentially 20 equations and 20 endogenous variables. As more regions and transport modes are distinguished, the number of equations and endogenous variables increases rapidly. The model takes account of: (1) the bicausal relationship between the economy and mobility in connection with the difference between productive and consumptive mobility; (2) the infrastructure as a limiting condition (to change by policy) for mobility and therefore for economic development; before the maximum mobility is reached, the limiting effect of infrastructure is revealed sooner in the form of increased travel time; (3) the geographic situation of the regions in connection with transit traffic; (4) the importance of regional features for economic development; (5) intra- and interregional flows of transport; flows of transport are not, as in a traffic model, assigned to specific stretches of infrastructure; and (6) the economic growth by means of net investment and technological progress, which increases the capacity of production. With the help of MOBILEC time paths of regional product, employment, investment, and mobility (passengers and goods; transport modes; transport flows by motive) can be simulated for each region. The paper also demonstrates how to calculate the effects of mobility policy and spatial economic policy on the quantities mentioned. (A)
Abstract