This book is a collection of new research papers concerned with the application of modern economic theory and analytical techniques to current issues in transportation economics, especially for many of the systems that are undergoing, or have recently undergone, regulatory change. Two themes unite the chapters of this volume. First, characterization: How should we think about the agents and interactions we see? How should we model carrier technology, shipper demand, network structure, and market equilibrium? Second, policy formation and evaluation: How can we use analytical techniques to examine policies of the past, present, and future? How do we examine the effects of regulation on industry productivity or structure, or the effects of regulatory change on industry competitiveness? All the chapters of this book involve (to varying degrees) these two themes of characterization and policy formation and evaluation.

It is especially easy to thank the appropriate people for their help with this book; the reader need only look at the table of contents to see most of the names that deserve mention. Ronald Braeutigam, Douglas Caves, Ann Friedlaender, Theodore Keeler, Forrest Nelson, Richard Spady, Michael Tretheway, and Clifford Winston all did extra duty by helping in the refereeing/reviewing process for one or more of the chapters. I also especially wish to thank Ann Friedlaender for her early support and ready commitment on this project and Donald McCloskey for his helpful advice at the formative stages of its development.