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on Transport Economics |
| By: | Hanning, Cooper; Jerrett, Michael; Su, Jason G.; Wolch, Jennifer |
| Abstract: | Rationale: Areas near parks may present active travelers with higher risks than in other areas due to the confluence of more pedestrians and bicyclists, younger travelers, and the potential for increased numbers of motor vehicles. These risks may be amplified in low-income and minority neighborhoods due to generally higher rates of walking or lack of safety infrastructure. Objectives: We pursued three research objectives: (1) to determine if pedestrian and bicycle crashes occur at higher rates in park-adjacent neighborhoods compared to the rest of the study area; (2) to identify if demographic characteristics predict active crash risk after controlling for population and the rate of active trips; and (3) to assess if there is an amplified effect of park proximity for active crash risk in low-income and minority neighborhoods after controlling for population and the rate of active trips. Methods: With negative binomial regression modeling techniques, we used ten years of geolocated pedestrian and bicyclist crash data and a quarter mile (~400 meter) buffer around public parks to assess the risk of active travel near parks. We controlled for differential exposures to active travel risks using travel survey data. Measurements: Quarter-mile network buffers were designated around parks from the Green Visions Plan for 21st Century California in 2249 census tracts. Crashes came from the 90,846 pedestrian and bicyclist injuries and fatalities from the Statewide Integrated Traffic Reporting System, and active travel was predicted using travel data from 9135 households that participated in the Southern California Association of Governments 2001 Travel and Congestion Survey. These data were combined with demographic and income data from the U.S. Census and traffic density predictions. Results: The ratio of active crashes per 100,000 population within the quarter-mile park buffer to those outside is 1.52. The increased risk of crash for active travelers near parks remained after adjusting for varying rates of active travel in different census tracts. Minority and low-income residents of the study area are more likely to walk or bicycle than White and higher-income residents. This higher risk near parks is amplified in neighborhoods with high proportions of minority and low-income people. Higher traffic levels are highly predictive of active crashes. Conclusions: Active travelers accessing parks may lack a safe route to places for play. The socioeconomic modification of active crashes near parks found in this study is supported by existing research showing disparities in park access and higher active travel risks in low-income and minority neighborhoods. |
| Keywords: | Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies, Geographic Information Science and Cartography, Urban Studies/Affairs, Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies, Public Health |
| Date: | 2012–09–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cdl:uctcwp:qt2st3m2cv&r=tre |
| By: | Francesco P. Deflorio (DIATI - Dipartimento dell'ingegneria dell'ambiente, del territorio e delle infrastrutture - Politecnico di Torino); Jesus Gonzalez-Feliu (LET - Laboratoire d'économie des transports - CNRS : UMR5593 - Université Lumière - Lyon II - Ecole Nationale des Travaux Publics de l'Etat); Guido Perboli (DAUIN - Department of Computer Engineering - Politecnico di Torino); Roberto Tadei (DAUIN - Department of Computer Engineering - Politecnico di Torino) |
| Abstract: | In freight distribution services a required quality level may have a relevant effect on transportation costs. For this reason an evaluation tool is useful to compare different service settings and support the decision, on the base of quantitative indicators. This paper proposes a method for cost evaluation in this context and presents an application to a case study concerning a freight distribution service, which operates on a wide road network having a city centre, a peripheral urban area and a peri-urban rural zone. A simulation method is proposed to obtain real-life scenarios in order to test the method and its indicators. The performance of each indicator has been evaluated in an experimental context to produce realistic test cases, using a trip planning tool and a demand generator. First, the behaviour of the indicators is analysed with regard to the time windows width planned for the service. Then, their ability in estimating the total transportation cost to satisfy all the requests, under different time period profiles, is shown. The results confirm the ability of the set of indicators to predict with a good approximation the transportation costs and therefore to be used in supporting the service quality planning decisions. |
| Keywords: | urban freight distribution; compatibility indicators; evaluation method; simulation; real-life applications |
| Date: | 2012–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-00736428&r=tre |
| By: | Ginés de Rus; M. Pilar Socorro |
| Abstract: | In this paper we analyze the consequences of access pricing on infrastructure investment and intermodal competition. First, we analyze the optimal access prices to be charged to private operators. We find that the optimal access price to be charged for the use of a particular infrastructure depends on the existence of intermodal substitution or complementarity with other transport modes and infrastructures. Second, we analyze under which circumstances the investment in rail infrastructure is socially desirable both in a context with and without budget constraints. The positive net present value of the investment is not a sufficient condition. The necessary and sufficient condition implies a positive difference in social welfare for the cases in which the new infrastructure is and is not constructed. |
| Date: | 2012–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fda:fdaddt:2012-06&r=tre |
| By: | Victor Matheson (Department of Economics, College of the Holy Cross) |
| Abstract: | Developing countries that host mega-events such as the Olympic Games and World Cup invest enormous sums in stadiums and collateral infrastructure projects. The rapid investment in long-lasting physical stocks raises questions of equity and efficiency for national taxpayers and event attendees. This paper reviews several cases of historical and recent mega-events to assess the infrastructure costs, returns on infrastructure investments, and impacts of the events on urban development patterns. It will highlight cases where mega-event investments contributed to long-term economic growth. |
| Keywords: | sports, stadiums, development, impact analysis, Olympics, World Cup, tourism |
| JEL: | L83 O18 R53 |
| Date: | 2012–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hcx:wpaper:1203&r=tre |
| By: | Cristina Barbot; Ofelia Betancor; M. Pilar Socorro; M. Fernanda Viecens |
| Abstract: | Emission trading systems (ETS) are being applied worldwide and in different economic sectors as an environmental regulatory tool that induces reductions of CO2 emissions. In Europe such a system is in place since 2005 for energy intensive installations and, since 1st January 2012, for airlines with flights arriving and departing from Community airports. The efficiency of the system should consider not only how it allows reaching an environmental goal, but also it should take into account its implications for market competition. In this work we develop a theoretical model that analyses the European ETS’s main features as devised for airlines, focusing on its effects on potential competition and entry deterrence. Contrary to other economic activities under ETS, potential competition is usual in most airline markets. Our results indicate that the share of capped allowances allocated initially for free to air operators may be a key element in deterring or allowing entry into the market. This result may be in collision with the general European principle of promoting competition and may represent a step backwards in the construction of a single European air transport market. |
| Date: | 2012–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fda:fdaddt:2012-05&r=tre |
| By: | Xavier d'Haultfoeuille (Crest); Pauline Givord (INSEE); Xavier Boutin (European Commission-Team) |
| Abstract: | At the beginning of 2008 was introduced in France a feebate on the purchase of new cars called the “Bonus/Malus”. Since January 2008, the less polluting cars benefited from a price reduction of up to 1,000 euros, while the most polluting ones were subject to a taxation of 2,600 euros. We estimate the impact of this policy on carbon dioxide emissions in the short and long run. These emissions depend on the market shares and the average emissions per kilometer of each car, but also on their manufacturing and the number of kilometers traveled by their owners. We first develop a simple tractable model that relates car choice and mileage. We then estimate this model, using both the exhaustive dataset of car registrations and a recent transportation survey which provides information on individual journeys. We show that if the shift towards the classes benefiting from rebates is spectacular, the environmental impact of the policy is negative. The reform has notably increased sales, leading to an important increase in manufacturing and traveling emissions. We thus stress that such policies may be efficient tools for reducing CO2 emissions (French consumers do react to the feebate in their car choice), but should be designed with care to achieve their primary goal |
| Keywords: | Environmental taxation, automobiles, carbon dioxide emissions, policy evaluation |
| JEL: | C25 D12 H23 L62 Q53 |
| Date: | 2012–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:crs:wpaper:2012-13&r=tre |
| By: | Julie Pellegrin (CSIL Centre for Industrial Studies); Emanuela Sirtori (CSIL Centre for Industrial Studies) |
| Abstract: | Ex-post evaluation of infrastructure projects is attempted by international and national organisations in different ways. Qualitative case studies, relying on documentary analysis, interviews and surveys, are regularly carried out, for example, by the European Commission, the World Bank, the European Investment Bank and Regional Development Banks. The aim of case studies is to provide an in-depth understanding of the project context and performance. The World Bank has also put in place a rating system to assess the performance of all investment operations financed, allowing for immediate comparability of results across sectors, countries, macro-regions, programmes and lending instruments. Some institutions and countries (e.g. the European Commission, the World Bank and the United Kingdom) make use of quantitative methods to measure infrastructure projects effects, like ex-post CBA. This method is mostly used to re-assess ex-ante appraisal results with more up-to-date data. An innovative way of integrating ex-post CBA and qualitative evidence is offered by the recent Commission’s evaluation of major projects financed in the 1994-1999 period. Such research project allowed to study in a structured way not only project effects, but also determinant mechanisms of success or failure, leading to meaningful and generalised lessons about infrastructure project performance. The evaluation design and specificities characterising this approach are described and the main advantages highlighted. |
| Keywords: | Ex post evaluation, cost-benefit analysis, case studies |
| JEL: | B40 C81 H43 |
| Date: | 2012–03–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mst:wpaper:201202&r=tre |