THE NEW RAPID LIGHT RAIL SYSTEM IN STOCKHOLM

This paper presents the results of economic analyses of the monetary and non-monetary benefits of Stockholm's new rapid light rail system. The calculations were conducted according to the guidelines of the Swedish Institute for Transport and Communications Analysis (SIKA), supplemented by knowledge from Stockholm Transport; a table summarises their results. The methodology used is described in an Appendix. The monetary benefits of the system are lower than the costs, with value ratios ranging from 0.4 to 0.7 for different sections of the route. The following effects were not valued in monetary terms: (1) comfort and service; (2) noise; (3) punctuality; (4) clarity; (5) effects on neighbourhood environment and cityscape; (6) effects of a change in land use; and (7) regional distribution of work and service. The paper describes these effects, and discusses in what directions the calculation results could have been changed if they had been handled in monetary terms. Improved travel comfort can increase travel on the system by about 20%. The current methodology underestimates the effects of traffic congestion, and ignores the environmental advantages of minimising encroachment and improving the neighbourhood environment. Thus the cost-benefit ratio cannot yet be estimated accurately. For the covering abstract, see IRRD E100071.

• Corporate Authors:

  Landor Publishing Limited

  Quadrant House 250 Kennington Lane
  London SE11 5RD,   England 
• Authors:
  • Peterson, B E
• Publication Date: 1997

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 18 p.
• Serial:
  • DETERMINING MONETARY VALUES OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT. PROCEEDINGS OF THE CONFERENCE HELD LONDON, 8 OCTOBER 1997
  • Publisher: Landor Publishing Limited

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Benefit cost analysis; Comfort; Conferences; Economic factors; Economics; Environmental impact analysis; Land use; Light rail transit; Mathematical analysis; Noise; Public transit; Traffic congestion; Transportation; Urban areas
• Geographic Terms: Sweden
• ITRD Terms: 6471: Analysis (math); 9138: Comfort; 8525: Conference; 632: Congestion (traffic); 226: Cost benefit analysis; 263: Economics of transport; 2436: Impact study (environment); 356: Land use; 2492: Noise; 744: Public transport; 8109: Sweden; 313: Urban area
• Subject Areas: Economics; Transportation (General);

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00759337
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Feb 19 1999 12:00AM