February 2017 is a big month, a new month. This month I am no longer within the safe world of a big organisation and am instead managing and running my own start-up business.
Where does the name Peak Economics come from? Being based in Inverness we are surrounded by mountain peaks which are our inspiration, but more importantly in transport economics we are always dealing with peaks: the morning commuter rush, the effect of peak oil and has car travel peaked? Catering for peaks is problematic from an efficiency perspective – can we price off demand for the peak and make travellers switch to the inter-peak leading to a better utilisation of resources? We have congestion in the peak and this inhibits economic growth: reducing labour market catchment areas and trapping workers in an unproductive location (though digital technology counters this to an extent). But peaks are not something to complain about they are a natural consequence of human behaviour and an implicit part of our living. Working and living with them and using them to our advantage is what we do.
This month I am fortunate to be starting my new work the way I hope to continue. Keeping on the knowledge frontier and helping others get there by teaching on CPD transport investment appraisal course, and teaching masters students the role that transport plays in shaping our economy. Helping the Department for Transport with some agglomeration calculations and starting a desktop review of the value of transport in a rural economy. All the time whilst having an office window facing down the Great Glen of the Scottish Highlands with snow capped peaks in view!