SOCIOECONOMIC REACTIONS TO HIGHWAY DEVELOPMENT

A research project is described that used a case study methodology to examine the social and economic effects of highway improvements on the areas immediately adjacent to the highways. Using secondary data supported by interviews with key personnel and on-site observations, before and after comparisons were made for impact and control groups. Controls for other external factors were also used. Some frequent and consistent socioeconomic changes occurred in the impact areas. The effects were much stronger very close to the highways and did not necessarily result in decreases to neighborhood attractiveness. This indicates that active analysis of socioeconomic consequences and use of appropriate mitigative measures can substantially reduce undesirable socioeconomic consequences. No general models of change emerged because of substantial variations from site to site. The findings demonstrate the importance of including socioeconomic impact analysis in highway planning and the usefulness (and limitations) of the specific research methodology used here.

• Record URL:
  http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1984/991/991-001.pdf
• Summary URL:
  https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=SOCIOECONOMIC+REACTIONS+TO+HIGHWAY+DEVELOPMENT&author=J.+Burkhardt&publication_year=1984
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0309038006
• Supplemental Notes:
  • 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. Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Social, Economic, and Environmental Factors of Transportation.
• Authors:
  • Burkhardt, Jon E
• Publication Date: 1984

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 1-8
• Monograph Title: Social and technological issues in transportation planning
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 991
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Case studies; Economic impacts; Highways; Impact studies; Improvements; Social values; Socioeconomic factors
• Subject Areas: Economics; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Society; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00450903
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309038006
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Feb 28 1986 12:00AM