Transportation energy use 1973-80: changes, trends, and causes

Technical Report · Thu Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1982

OSTI ID:5204885

Greene, D L; Kulp, G; Walton, G H; Shonka, D B

Trends in transportation energy use by mode from 1973 to 1980 are described and analyzed. Declines in energy use in 1973-74 and again in 1979-80 were largely the result of short-run price effect. Together these factors accounted for two-thirds to three-quarters of the decline in energy use in either episode. Declines in energy use resulting from technical efficiency improvements were less significant. Technological improvements in the fuel economy of new cars and light trucks in 1980 probably accounted for 25% of the decline in highway gasoline use between 1979 and 1980, and increased use of more-efficient wide-body jets accounted for some of the decline in aircraft energy intensity between 1973 and 1980. Data for other modes indicate little or no technological improvement in stock fuel efficiency partly because of lesser incentives and slower capital stock turnover rates. Highway gasoline use is analyzed first, followed by highway diesel fuel use. Analyses of use by the air and rail modes follow. Brief discussions of pipeline and marine energy use are presented. (MCW)

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• OSTI ID: 5204885
• Report Number(s): ORNL/TM-7953; ON: DE82014653
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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AIRCRAFT
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
AUTOMOBILES
BARGES
DIESEL FUELS
CONSUMPTION RATES
GASOLINE
PIPELINES
RAILWAYS
SHIPS
TRUCKS
DATA COMPILATION
DEMAND FACTORS
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FINANCIAL INCENTIVES
FUEL ECONOMY
GROWTH
SIZE
TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS
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LIQUID FUELS
NUMERICAL DATA
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
VEHICLES
320000* - Energy Conservation
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