BENEFIT-COST ANALYSIS OF THE MILWAUKEE FREEWAY SYSTEM

This study analyzed the effects of freeways on property taxpayers in Milwaukee. Right-of-way takings for the Milwaukee freeway system resulted in the removal of real estate property from the city's tax base. Total tax loss was estimated to be more than $18 million. However, accident cost savings, savings in travel time and operating costs, and reduced capital expenses for arterial streets benefited city residents by more than $37 million. Figures also are given for individual property owners. The scope of the analysis was limited to the quantifiable items for which data were available. For some items, available data were not fully adequate and many assumptions had to be made. A conservative approach was taken to ensure that benefits were not overrestimated. A direct effect of freeways excluded from the analysis is environmental impact. Indirect effects that were not considered include the impact of freeways on the land development pattern and land value, which may be significant in many cases. It was concluded that the Milwaukee property tax loss due to freeway right-of-way takings was compensated for amply by the benefits attributable to the freeways.

• Record URL:
  • http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1975/550/550-004.pdf
• Summary URL:
  • https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=BENEFIT-COST+ANALYSIS+OF+THE+MILWAUKEE+FREEWAY+SYSTEM&author=T.+Batchelor&author=K.+Sinha&author=A.+Chatterjee&publication_year=1975
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• Supplemental Notes:
  • Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Application of Economic Analysis to Transportation Problems. 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:
  • Batchelor, Thomas J
  • Sinha, Kumares C
  • Chatterjee, Arun
• Discussers:
  • Thiel, Floyd I
• Conference:
  • 54th Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board
  • Location: Washington District of Columbia
  • Date: 1975-1-13 to 1975-1-17
• Publication Date: 1975

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 35-47
• Monograph Title: Application of Economic Analysis to Transportation Problems
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 550
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Benefit cost analysis; Costs; Crashes; Eminent domain; Freeways; Losses; Operating costs; Property taxes; Real property; Right of way (Land); Savings; Travel time
• Uncontrolled Terms: Accident costs
• Geographic Terms: Milwaukee (Wisconsin)
• Subject Areas: Economics; Finance; Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00129479
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309024560
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Mar 10 1976 12:00AM