Private Roads: Auctions and Competition in Networks

Tinbergen Institute Discussion Paper No. TI 07-093/3

28 Pages Posted: 30 Nov 2007

See all articles by Erik T. Verhoef

Erik T. Verhoef

VU University Amsterdam - Department of Spatial Economics; Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, School of Business and Economics; Tinbergen Institute

Date Written: November 29, 2007

Abstract

This paper studies the efficiency impacts of private toll roads in initially untolled networks. The analysis allows for capacity and toll choice by private operators, and endogenizes entry and therewith the degree of competition, distinguishing and allowing for both parallel and serial competition. Two institutional arrangements are considered, namely one in which entry is free and one in which it is allowed only after winning an auction in which patronage is to be maximized. Both regimes have the second-best zero-profit equilibrium as the end-state of the equilibrium sequence of investments. But the auctions regime approaches this end-state more rapidly: tolls are set equal to their second-best zero-profit levels immediately, and capacity additions for the earlier investments are bigger. When discreteness of capacity is relevant and limits the number of investments that can practically be accommodated, the auctions regime may therefore still result in a more efficient end-state, with a higher social surplus, although the theoretical end-state is the same as under free entry.

Keywords: Traffic congestion, second-best pricing, highway franchising, road networks

JEL Classification: R41, R48, D62

Suggested Citation

Verhoef, Erik T., Private Roads: Auctions and Competition in Networks (November 29, 2007). Tinbergen Institute Discussion Paper No. TI 07-093/3, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1034026 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1034026

Erik T. Verhoef (Contact Author)

VU University Amsterdam - Department of Spatial Economics ( email )

De Boelelaan 1105
1081HV Amsterdam
Netherlands
+31 020 4446094 (Phone)
+31 020 4446004 (Fax)

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, School of Business and Economics ( email )

De Boelelaan 1105
Amsterdam, 1081HV
Netherlands

Tinbergen Institute ( email )

Gustav Mahlerplein 117
Amsterdam, 1082 MS
Netherlands

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