DETERMINING COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF TRANSIT SYSTEMS

Cost-effectiveness is, by definition, a term with two components: "cost" and "effectiveness." Each component has both broad and narrow definitional possibilities. Further, the word "effectiveness" implies a goal or set of goals against which effectiveness is measured. To determine effectiveness, the intent, the effects to be achieved, must first be stated. Because transit goals are typically stated in broad terms, transit "effectiveness" is also likely to be broadly defined. Obviously, definitions are required if sense is to be made of the subject. Presented in this paper is a range of possible definitions, with a brief discussion of the problems of measurement of each. There follow some simplified definitions and measurements that might be used in attacking the problem of deciding when light rail transit might be considered a cost-effective alternative. (Author)

• Record URL:
  http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/state-of-the-art/2/2-003.pdf
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0309039177
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper appeared in Transportation Research Board State-of-the-Art Report 2, Light Rail Transit: System Design for Cost-Effectiveness. Presented at the Conference on Light Rail Transit held May 8-10, 1985, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
• Authors:
  • Bay, P N
• Conference:
  • Conference on Light Rail Transit
  • Location: Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, United States
  • Date: 1985-5-8 to 1985-5-10
• Publication Date: 1985

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 9-12
• Monograph Title: Light rail transit: system design for cost-effectiveness
• Serial:
  • State-of-the-Art Report
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0892-6891

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternatives analysis; Analysis; Cost effectiveness; Definitions; Light rail transit; Mobility; Public transit; Ridership; Socioeconomic factors; Transportation planning; Urban transportation
• Uncontrolled Terms: Criteria
• Old TRIS Terms: Analytical method
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Economics; Finance; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; Society; I10: Economics and Administration;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00457379
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309039177
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Aug 27 2004 10:01PM