Research

Journal Publications

Predicting costs of local public bus transport services through machine learning methods (with Amicosante, A., Avenali, A., D’Alfonso, T., Manno, A., & Matteucci, G) Expert Systems with Applications (2025), 260, 125396.
Bus fleet decarbonization under macroeconomic and technological uncertainties: A real options approach to support decision-making (with Avenali, A., Daniele, D., & Matteucci, G.) Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review (2024), 190, 103690.
Introducing electric buses in urban areas: Effects on welfare, pricing, frequency, and public subsidies (with Börjesson, M., & D'Alfonso, T.) Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice (2024), 185, 104103.
Factors influencing the adoption of zero-emission buses: A review-based framework (with Avenali, A., Catalano, G., & Matteucci, G.) Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews (2024), 197, 114388.
Assessing cost-effectiveness of alternative bus technologies: Evidence from US transit agencies (with Avenali, A., Catalano, G., & Matteucci, G.) Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment (2023), 117, 103648.

Work-in-progress

Early consumer response to electric buses in urban areas: evidence from a discrete choice experiment (with T.D’alfonso, T., Daziano, R., & Feng, S.)

Abstract: Electric buses (e-buses) are receiving increasing attention from planners and decision-makers worldwide. However, the user’s perspective has received far less focus from scholars and practitioners, resulting in a lack of understanding about consumer response to bus fleet electrification. This paper addresses this research gap by investigating whether and how e-buses can enhance public transport attractiveness by improving ride conditions and leveraging environmental benefits. To this end, we first develop a framework encompassing all distinctive features of e-buses that can influence consumers’ attitudes towards public transport. We then provide empirical evidence on travelers’ responses to the introduction of ebuses using a pivoted discrete choice experiment conducted through a web-based survey in Rome, Italy. The preliminary results of this research indicate that most trade-offs are significant and align with expectations. In particular, travelers recognize the distinctive features of e-buses, including the elimination of tailpipe emissions, reduced noise and odor pollution, and heightened innovativeness. However, other quality attributes of bus services, such as frequency and punctuality - which directly affect travel time - and safety and security, are deemed more pivotal in attracting car drivers. When these attributes are considered in the choice experiment, the impact of environmental concerns on travel behavior and travelers’ willingness to pay becomes less pronounced. Nevertheless, the intrinsic preference for e-buses remains statistically significant in our results, indicating a growing importance of environmental considerations in travel mode choice.

Charging interoperability in the electric vehicles industry: vertical integration and market foreclosure (with D'Alfonso, T., & Börjesson, M.)

Abstract: We examine interoperability between Charging Points Operators (CPOs) investing in charging infrastructure (CI) for electric vehicles (EVs) available in public spaces, and Mobility Service Providers (MSPs) providing charging services to end customers. We analyze how incentives to invest in extending the CI network, demand for EVs, and consumer and social welfare vary across integrated and unintegrated markets. We explicitly consider indirect network effects between the two sides of the market – that is, the demand for EVs increases as the size of the CI network increases because consumers’ range anxiety is alleviated. Results suggest two general conclusions. First, vertically integrated CPO operators tend to exclude rival MSP services, suggesting that MSPs cannot gain access to the CI network of vertically integrated CPOs. Second, vertical integration does not harm, and actually benefit, consumers because of the associated efficiency gains, with the size of available public CI and the demand for EVs increasing compared to unintegrated markets. We examine how results change when government subsidies are introduced to consumers - electric vehicle subsidy (EVS) policies - or CPOs - charging infrastructure subsidy (CIS) policies. The ability of a policy to stimulate investment in CI network expansion, demand for EVs, and increased consumer welfare varies with market structure, with EVS policy being more effective in the case of integrated markets. Neither subsidy policy solves the trade-off between welfare and competitiveness that occurs in a laissez-faire regime.

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