The paper analyses the change in energy use and energy intensity in passenger and freight transport in Italy over the period 1975-91. The analysis is carried out at a modal level and allows to make inter-modal comparisons. The mathematical framework used in the analysis is taken from Schipper et al. The paper disaggregates energy use between passenger and freight transport with an ad hoc methodology and presents a global view on energy use and efficiency for all modes in both passenger and freight transport. It is found that the dynamics that have taken place in passenger and freight transport are quite similar. The enormous increase in energy use is due mainly to the increase in transport volumes and to the shift towards more energy intensive modes (ie road transprot, and some air transport for passenger transport). Both tendencies have been stronger for freight than for passenger transport. Nevertheless, aggregate and modal energy intensity has decreased, i.e. the transport system has become more energy efficient. The decrease is more relevant for freight transport. At the modal level, the main gains in efficiency took place in the most energy intensive modes in passenger transport (there is an inverse relationship between energy consumption and fuel economy gains) so that a convergence in energy intensities took place. This does not hold true for freight transport. (A)
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