Using Laspeyres decomposition method to evaluate the factors affecting freight transport energy consumption in China

Abstract

As an energy-intensive and high-emission industry, transportation accounts for a large proportion of total energy consumption. Moreover, the energy consumption in freight transport has increased rapidly. ASIF identity was used to obtain the factors affecting energy consumption in freight transport. In this study, we use laspeyres decomposition method to obtain the impact and contribution rate of each variable. The results show that transport turnover is the most significant driving factor. Transport structure also has a positive effect while transport intensity is on the opposite. The government should further optimize the organization and efficiency of freight transport activities. From the perspective of each transport mode, railway transport has the greatest contribution to reduce freight energy consumption while road transport is the most significant driving factor. The government should further increase the proportion of railway transport. There exists positive relationship between the energy intensity and its impact on freight energy consumption in each mode. The impact of the energy intensity in road transport is the most significant.