Making Auctions for Transport Capacity to Roll
Journal of Economics & Management Strategy
Published online on May 27, 2026
Abstract
["Journal of Economics &Management Strategy, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nPolicymakers increasingly auction upstream inputs to promote downstream competition in network industries, including rail slots, airport slots, spectrum, and transmission rights. We study how selling capacity as a single package versus in sequential tranches affects entry when an incumbent holds an initial endowment. In a two‐stage model with Cournot competition downstream, one‐shot auctions allow unrestricted incumbents block entry, whereas sequential auctions may incentivize accommodation. Simulations calibrated to the Paris–Lyon route illustrate the sensitivity of entry to tranche design and demand.\n"]