Generalized Approach for Assessing Direct User Impacts of Multimodal Transport Projects

The effects of a transportation project can be estimated either by benefit–cost accounting or by economic development impact analysis; both are regularly used by government agencies to plan and justify investments. Although these approaches differ in methodology, both rely on the estimation of direct user impacts—those arising from changes in the quantity and quality of travel. However, a survey of published analyses and guides reveals, first, that there is considerable confusion between an economic benefit (as used in benefit–cost accounting) and an economic impact (as used in impact analysis) and, second, that user impacts are frequently estimated too narrowly by ignoring intermodal effects and impacts to freight shippers. To address these issues, a framework is presented for estimating direct user impacts that is generalized to accommodate multiple travel modes in a way that avoids double counting, gives a full treatment of freight shippers and carriers, and differentiates between benefits and impacts for use in either type of analysis.

• Record URL:
  • https://doi.org/10.3141/2079-15
• Summary URL:
  • http://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=Generalized+Approach+for+Assessing+Direct+User+Impacts+of+Multimodal+Transport+Projects&author=B.+Alstadt&author=G.+Weisbrod&publication_year=2008
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/9780309125925
• Authors:
  • Alstadt, Brian Baird
  • Weisbrod, Glen E
• Publication Date: 2008

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 119-126
• Monograph Title: Pricing, Economics, and Finance
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board
  • Issue Number: 2079
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Benefit cost analysis; Economic benefits; Economic impacts; Estimating; Freight transportation; Multimodal transportation; Passenger transportation
• Uncontrolled Terms: Direct user impacts; Transportation projects
• Subject Areas: Economics; Transportation (General); I10: Economics and Administration;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01089173
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 9780309125925
• Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Feb 27 2008 8:58AM