Investigation of carriers’ ability to transfer toll increases: an empirical analysis of freight agents’ relative market power

Design of effective freight policies requires a comprehensive understanding of freight agents’ interactions. A critical component of the interaction is the freight agents’ relative market power in determining delivery price, time, and frequency. However, empirical studies of freight agents’ market power are limited. This study explores freight carriers’ market power relative to receivers’ by investigating carriers’ ability to transfer toll increases. A stated preference survey is conducted to understand carriers’ willingness to transfer hypothetical toll increases to receivers. The relationship of various factors and the ability to transfer toll increases is first examined by descriptive statistics. Then, regression models are estimated as a function of respondents’ socioeconomic factors, market conditions, hypothetical toll increases, and other factors. Marginal effects of influential factors are obtained to reveal policy implications.