Analysis of Sustainable Efficiency of Freight Transport in Major European Economies: An Integrated Multi-Region Input-Output and DEA Approach

Abstract

This paper integrates the multi-region input-output model (MRIO) and data envelopment analysis (DEA) methods to analyze the freight transport efficiency in Europe. Social, economic, and environmental influences were combined into a sustainable efficiency rating of the freight transport sector of Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands. First, the freight transport sector's carbon footprint (CFP) was quantified using the MRIO model. The lifecycle-based CFP emissions of freight transport activities were assessed using a dataset from 2000 to 2018. Nineteen stochastic model-based MRIO lifecycle assessments were built for each country. Secondly, sixty instances of DEA models were created using a linear program for each mode in the selected countries. Thirdly, the sustainable efficiency scores were determined for each freight transport mode in each country over four periods: 2000–2004, 2005–2009, 2010–2014, and 2015–2018. The results illustrate that the sustainable efficiency score of inland, water, and air transport modes ranged from 0.38 to 1.