Clio on Speed

Cliometrics has made major advances in the historical analysis of transportation through better measurement, economic modelling, and estimation. This chapter surveys several topics and recent research. First, the revolutionary changes in transport over the last 300 years are reviewed, including analysis on the rate and sources of productivity growth. It is argued that macro-inventions, like steam power, were important but many incremental innovations mattered too. Second, the effects of transport improvements on market integration, trade, urbanization, and aggregate income are examined. Much research focuses on questions of magnitude. In other words, how big are the effects of transport improvements like railroads? Perhaps surprisingly, there is still disagreement about the relative importance of transport even with the applications of new tools and Geographic Information Software. Two novel areas of research concern mortality and persistence. Studies show that transport improvements contributed to higher mortality and influenced population density long after transport technologies became obsolete. These studies yield new perspectives on the effects of transport. Third, this chapter examines why transport services were more efficient in some economies with a focus on the role of institutions as a fundamental factor. Evidence suggests institutions influenced investment in transport networks and the degree of public and private ownership. Ownership mattered for transport efficiency, and government involvement sometimes improved outcomes. Overall, cliometrics research on transport offers many insights on a historically important sector.