Estimating Economic Impacts from Transportation Investments Using the Texas Statewide Analysis Model and TREDIS PDF Download

Author: Samuel Felix Higgins
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 226

View

Book Description
Economic analyses of transportation investments are a common component of transportation planning. The profile of economic analyses has continued to rise due to increasing budget constraints and increasing emphasis on infrastructure's role in spurring economic development. One tool that has been developed specifically for transportation economic impact evaluation is the Transportation Economic Development Impact System (TREDIS). Common inputs for TREDIS are changes in travel characteristics caused by network improvements. Another commonly used planning tool is a travel demand model. Since 2003, the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) has worked on the development of the Statewide Analysis Model (SAM) which estimates travel characteristics for passenger and freight modes. Together, the models have the potential to improve project evaluation and to highlight the roles that certain projects have in creating economic development. The hypothesis explored for this study is that SAM and TREDIS can be feasibly used together to help TXDOT evaluate the economic impacts of investments in freight corridors and other transportation investments. This report begins with general discussions of transportation economic analyses and the two models used. Then, the current SAM is evaluated using TREDIS followed by a discussion of the results and ways that this type of integrated planning can be incorporated by agencies. Through this study, key results include: the process of incorporating results from the SAM for use in TREDIS is feasible, an overall benefit-cost ratio of 4 for the entire set of long range roadway projects included in the SAM and 8 for only the interstate projects included in the SAM, rail and other transportation analyses are feasible using SAM and TREDIS.

Author: Glen Weisbrod
Publisher: Transportation Research Board
ISBN: 9780309068734
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 88

View

Book Description
This synthesis report will be of interest to DOT administrators, supervisors, and staff, as well as to the consultants working with them in assessing the economic development impacts of existing or proposed transportation investments. Metropolitan Planning Organization regional and local staffs might also find it informative. It is intended to help practicing planners become aware of the range of methods and analysis techniques available, organized by the different categories of agency needs, to address different types of planning, policy, and research needs. This synthesis summarizes the current state of the practice by means of a survey of transportation planning agencies in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. This report provides reviews of the analysis methods used in recent project and program evaluation reports of these agencies, in addition to a bibliography of economic literature and guides.

Author: Stasa Vojin Zivojnovic
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 368

View

Book Description
Transportation projects do not necessarily get evaluated for economic value or impact even though arguably most projects are done to advance the economy in the long run, from inducing travel to improving market access. Those studies that do provide an economic study in their reports do not explain the methodology or critique the economic study process. This thesis takes a look at using the Texas Statewide Analysis (SAM) in combination with the Transportation Economic Development Impact System (TREDIS) to better understand the bearing a transportation project, or group of projects, may have on a region. The overview and critique of the SAM-TREDIS methodology is completed using a few scenarios of groups of projects for the Texas study region, for which one scenario includes the implementation of HSR in the Texas Triangle. The scenario of high-speed rail is explored as to encourage a future discussion to create a more concrete plan regarding future HSR. While the outputs of SAM for most Texas transportation scenarios were too subtle in difference between scenarios to create informative TREDIS outputs, they provided an in-depth look in the use of SAM and TREDIS separately and collectively. Overall, this method is useful at looking at future roadways projects that produce a moderately significant change in travel characteristics. Another model, or an improved SAM, is recommended for an accurate HSR study.

Author: Stephen Daniel Evans
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 316

View

Book Description
Transportation planners, engineers, and administrators face the difficult tasks of prioritizing and justifying proposed investments in transportation infrastructure, particularly as government budgets tighten and alternative investments compete for public funding. One means by which professionals can prioritize and justify large transportation investments is by describing how a proposed project will impact an area's economy in terms of creating new jobs, raising aggregate income, and increasing business revenues. The report begins by examining the general impact of transportation investments on economic development. Then it surveys various methods and tools that have been proposed for estimating economic impacts. Among these, the TREDIS economic impact model is selected and used to estimate the economic impacts of a current interstate highway project in Texas.

Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Texas
Languages : en
Pages : 34

View

Book Description
In setting the state's future spending priorities, Texans will be analyzing and evaluating the importance and dimensions of the state's transportation system and network and their role in the Texas economy. Current, accurate, and objective economic measures that delineate the importance of transportation in Texas are crucial to the public debate and policy-making process in deciding what Texans want for their transportation system. In reporting the results, the proposed project will compile, using existing U.S.- and Texas- based data sources, an economic profile of the importance of the transportation system and its services to the State of Texas, which may include: 1. All transportation outlays and the Gross Texas Product; 2. Outlays for freight transportation, total and by mode; 3. Outlays for passenger transportation, total and by mode; 4. Employment in transportation and related industries; and 5. Outlays for transportation equipment and investment in capacity.

Author: Fengxiang Qiao
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Railroads
Languages : en
Pages : 61

View

Book Description
This report documents the analysis of the transportation and economic impacts of Texas short line railroads. Survey invitations were sent to 43 Texas short line railroads and 20 responses were received. The research team completed onsite interviews with 5 railroads and 3 community leaders. The software IMPLAN was used to estimate the economic impact of short line railroads at both county-level and state-level. Transportation impact analysis was conducted to estimate the cost by rail and the cost by diverted truck. Shipping cost, safety cost, maintenance cost, highway congestion cost, and emission cost were calculated in this analysis. The transportation impact analysis results indicate that, on average, the shipping cost of short line railroad is estimated to be 7.5% less than that of truck; the maintenance cost of short line railroad is estimated to be 70.2% less than that of truck; the safety cost of railroad is estimated to be 37.9% less than that of truck; and the emission cost is estimated to be 7.0% less than that of truck. The total transportation cost of railroad is estimated to be 24.3% less than that of truck. Moreover, the estimation shows that the operation of 14 surveyed short lines took 417,177 trucks off Texas highway in 2015. The economic impact analysis results indicate that, at state-level, the operation of short line railroads in Texas contribute approximately 1,476 jobs, $113,769,627 in labor compensation, and $354,443,588 in economic output. At county-levels, the short line railroads contribute 1,136 jobs, $87,799,859 in labor compensation, and $274,959,869 in economic output. This research also found that short line railroads in Texas have substantial needs in terms of improving their infrastructure. These improvements include better interchange with connecting carriers, more customers or businesses, extra right of way available for expansion/rehabilitation of rail line, infrastructure improvements, and more tracks and yard space. However, these improvement needs are usually beyond their affordable capacity for short line operators. The need for more state funding was mentioned by several railroads during the surveys and interviews. As Texas short lines play a significant role in the local community and the state economy, there is a necessity to establish assistance programs for short lines to help maintain and improve the existing infrastructure. State support strategies for short lines in other states were reviewed and potential funding opportunities were discussed in this report.

Author: Daisy Saldarriaga
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Construction industry
Languages : en
Pages :

View

Book Description
This report documents the analysis of the transportation and economic impacts of Texas short line railroads. Survey invitations were sent to 43 Texas short line railroads and 20 responses were received. Onsite interviews with 5 railroads and 3 community leaders were completed. The software IMPLAN was used to estimate the economic impact of short line railroads at both county-level and state-level. Transportation impact analysis was conducted to estimate the cost by rail and the cost by diverted truck. Shipping cost, safety cost, maintenance cost, highway congestion cost, and emission cost were calculated in this analysis. The transportation impact analysis results indicate that, on average, the shipping cost of short line railroad is estimated to be 7.5% less than that of highway modes; the maintenance cost of short line railroad is estimated to be 70.2% less than that of highway modes; the safety cost of railroad is estimated to be 37.9% less than that of highway modes; and the emission cost is estimated to be 7.0% less than that of highway modes. The total transportation cost of railroad is estimated to be 24.3% less than that of highway modes. Moreover, the operation of 14 surveyed short lines in Texas provided an annual reduction of over 400,000 truck trips for their shipments. The economic impact analysis results indicate that, at state-level, the operation of short line railroads in Texas contribute approximately 1,500 jobs, $113,769,600 in labor compensation, and $354,443,600 in economic output. At county-levels, the short line railroads contribute 1,100 jobs, $87,799,900 in labor compensation, and $274,959,900 in economic output. This research also found that short line railroads in Texas have substantial needs in terms of improving their infrastructure. These improvements include better interchange with connecting carriers, more customers or businesses, extra right of way available for expansion/rehabilitation of rail line, infrastructure improvements, and more tracks and yard space. However, these improvement needs are usually beyond their affordable capacity for short line operators. The need for more state funding was mentioned by several railroads during the surveys and interviews. As Texas short lines play a significant role in the local community and the state economy, there is a necessity to establish assistance programs for short lines to help maintain and improve the existing infrastructure. State support strategies for short lines in other states were reviewed and potential funding opportunities were discussed in this report.

Author: Cambridge Systematics
Publisher: Transportation Research Board
ISBN: 9780309062671
Category : Local transit
Languages : en
Pages : 200

View

Book Description
This report will be of interest to transportation economists and other analysts to assist them in selecting methods to conduct economic impact analyses of transit investments. Although the primary goal of public transportation investments is to improve mobility, economic benefits are also important to transit investment decisions. Consequently, it is important that reliable and defensible analytic methods are used to support decisionmaking.

Author: David Rennie Ellis
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Roads
Languages : en
Pages : 44

View

Book Description
Estimating the economic impact of transportation improvements has previously proven to be a difficult task. After an exhaustive literature review, it was clear that the transportation profession lacked standards and methodologies for determining economic impact from transportation investments. As a result, Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) researchers sought to fulfill this need. This project examined the current and historical economic impact assessment programs utilized by four state departments of transportation. Researchers evaluated these programs based on three outcomes: increased business and industry competitiveness, strengthened long-term regional and local economies, and enhanced household well-being. Researchers found that promoting transparency and flexibility and involving as many stakeholders as possible were key elements to economic program success. Based on these successful program elements, TTI professionals developed a new economic determination method to incorporate into the existing Transportation Revenue Estimation and Needs Determination System (TRENDS). The results from this study were also used to educate the public on the impacts transportation improvements, or lack of improvements, have on communities.

Author: Shawn Turner
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Transportation
Languages : en
Pages : 102

View

Book Description
This report examines measures of effectiveness that can be used to compare the benefits and impacts of transportation improvements for a major investment study. A literature review was used to gather information about transportation performance measures and the social, economic and environmental effects of transportation. All metropolitan planning organizations within the state of Texas were surveyed to determine the state-of-the- practice for major investment studies within the state. A list of candidate measures of effectiveness for major investment studies was developed, and various judging criteria were used to qualitatively evaluate the measures. Preferred measures of effectiveness were identified that quantify the following benefits or impacts of transportation improvements: transportation performance, financial/economic performance, social impacts, land use/economic development impacts, and environmental impacts. Preferred transportation performance measures consisted mainly of person movement and travel time-based measures. Financial/economic performance measures centered around the cost effectiveness (benefit-to-cost ratio) and the financial feasibility, and considered the full costs (including externalities, or cost not borne by motorists) of transportation. Social, land use/economic development, and environmental impacts were identified, and coincided with those concerns most often expressed by citizen or community advocacy groups. Findings from the study illustrated the importance of matching the appropriate evaluation measures to the goals and objectives set forth early in the major investment study process.