SO, JUST WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF RURAL TRANSIT AND HOW CAN WE MEASURE THEM

Measuring qualitative benefits such as community-wide benefits of public transit presents a formidable challenge to the researcher. A step-by-step method for quantifying the total benefits of rural-transit systems in Washington State is presented in this paper. First, focus groups in two test areas were used to help identify all potential benefits of publicly provided transit in rural areas. Then, a total of 170 citizens in both areas were recruited to participate in a Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) survey. Using an open-ended approach, respondents were asked to estimate how much transit was worth to them, in addition to what they were already paying, as well as how much they would have to be compensated if transit were no longer available. Different methods of aggregating the results produce a range of estimates of the total benefits for the test regions under study. Results of the CVM surveys are evaluated using Tobit analysis in order to determine significant factors affecting the values citizens place on public transit.

• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Forum

  One Farragut Square South, Suite 500
  Washington, DC  United States  20006-4003
• Authors:
  • Painter, Kathleen M
  • Casavant, Kenneth L
  • Scott, Robert D
• Conference:
  • Proceedings of the 42nd Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Forum
  • Location: Annapolis, Maryland
  • Date: 2000-11-29 to 2000-12-1
• Publication Date: 2000

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 551-572

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Benefits; Customer satisfaction; Measurement; Rural areas; Rural transit; Surveys; Valuation; Values in measurement
• Identifier Terms: Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991
• Subject Areas: Finance; Operations and Traffic Management; Public Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00804795
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 11 2001 12:00AM