Measuring Benefits of Rural and Small Urban Transit in Greater Minnesota

Author(s):  
Jeremy Mattson ◽  
Del Peterson

The objective of this research was to measure the benefits of rural and small urban transit services in Minnesota. The study accomplished this by first identifying, describing, and classifying the potential benefits of transit. Second, a method was developed to measure these benefits. Where possible, benefits were quantified in dollar values. Other benefits that could not be quantified in monetary terms were either quantified in another way or described qualitatively. The study included an analysis of societal benefits and economic impacts within local communities. Third, the developed method was applied to a series of six case studies across Greater Minnesota. Data were collected through onboard rider surveys for each of the six transit agencies. Total benefits and benefit-cost ratios were estimated for the six transit agencies—all showed benefits that exceeded costs—and results were generalized to Greater Minnesota. Economic impacts were also estimated showing the effect on jobs, labor income, and value added. This research provides information to assess the benefits of public spending on transit, which gives decision makers the data needed to inform investment decisions.

2002 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 139-146
Author(s):  
Bruce Gardner

The 2002 Farm Act is used as a case study of three problematic considerations related to economists' role in policy issues: priority on economic efficiency versus income distribution, the role of benefit-cost analysis, and appropriate policies given market power of agribusiness. The results of the 2002 Act relevant to each of these issues have been widely criticized, raising questions about the effectiveness of economists' involvement. However, given the uncertainties about many key program effects, criticisms of the Act are themselves in question. In this context, the role of economists is seen analytically as generating information for Bayesian decision makers, and practically as gaining attention for that information in the political process.


Water ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 198
Author(s):  
Kathryn Gazal ◽  
Ross Andrew ◽  
Robert Burns

Understanding the economic value of marine sanctuaries such as the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) is important to justify public and private investments and to provide information to support management activities and understand their role in the nation’s blue economy. Very few studies have employed economic contribution analysis in examining economic value, even though it is more useful in influencing the behaviors of decision makers. This study therefore employs such a methodology to determine the economic importance of tourism and visitor spending in the sanctuary to Monroe County, Florida’s economy. Visitors who came to the area for ocean recreation and tourism spent a total of USD 1.7 billion, which translates to a contribution of 19,688 total jobs, USD 752 million in total labor income, USD 1.2 billion in total value added, and USD 2 billion in total output to the region. With regard to the spending of snorkelers and divers only, total spending is about USD 1.07 billion, contributing about 12,441 total jobs, USD 466 million in total labor income, USD 767 million in total value added, and USD 1.2 billion in total output. Ocean recreation is therefore an important economic driver in the region and efforts should be directed at protecting the diverse and sensitive ecosystem of the sanctuary.


EDIS ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan W. Hodges ◽  
Mohammad Rahmani ◽  
Christa D. Court

This analysis was conducted using the Implan regional economic modeling system and associated state and county databases (IMPLAN Group LLC) to estimate economic multipliers and contributions for over 500 different industry sectors. Multipliers capture the indirect and induced economic activity generated by re-spending of income or sales revenues in a regional economy. A collection of 121 industry sectors were included in the analysis to represent the broad array of activities encompassed by agricultural and natural-resource commodity production, manufacturing, distribution and supporting services in Florida. Economic contributions can be measured in terms of employment, industry output, value added, exports, labor income, other property income, and business taxes. A glossary of economic terms used in this report is provided following this summary.


2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-182
Author(s):  
Bime M.J ◽  
Fon D.E ◽  
Ngalim S.B ◽  
Ongla J

Rice production and processing over the years has been on an increase with more small holders entering the business. This study on profitability of processing and marketing of small scale rice processors had as objective to analyse the profitability levels of rice processing and marketing by small scale processors, determine the value added to the commodity at each stage  and also identify the constraints faced by these processors. The study used primary data collected using well-structured questionnaire from millers only, miller traders for white/parboiled rice through a multistage sampling technique. Results showed that the net processing income (3,151,201), value added (8,147,456) and efficiency (138) for miller-traders of white rice was highest, followed by miller-traders for parboiled rice and lastly millers only. Results further showed that millers only had Benefit/cost ratio of 0.4 indicating that milling only is not profitable due to small quantities milled, and high fixed cost. Miller-traders for parboiled rice had a benefit/cost ratio of 2.3 implying that their venture is most profitable. Based on the results, it was recommended that millers only should purchase large quantities of paddy to enable them reduce the overhead cost. Also the services of parboilers should reflect in the sales price of parboiled rice so that the parboiling services can be paid for.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
James K. Hammitt

Abstract Benefit–cost analysis (BCA) is often viewed as measuring the efficiency of a policy independent of the distribution of its consequences. The role of distributional effects on policy choice is disputed; either: (a) the policy that maximizes net benefits should be selected and distributional concerns should be addressed through other measures, such as tax and transfer programs or (b) BCA should be supplemented with distributional analysis and decision-makers should weigh efficiency and distribution in policy choice. The separation of efficiency and distribution is misleading. The measure of efficiency depends on the numéraire chosen for the analysis, whether monetary values or some other good (unless individuals have the same rates of substitution between them). The choice of numéraire is not neutral; it can affect the ranking of policies by calculated net benefits. Alternative evaluation methods, such as BCA using a different numéraire, weighted BCA, or a social welfare function (SWF), may better integrate concerns about distribution and efficiency. The most appropriate numéraire, distributional weights, or SWFs cannot be measured or statistically estimated; it is a normative choice.


1997 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guy R. West ◽  
Ari Gamage

This study assesses the significance of different types of tourists to Victoria, Australia, by their relative contribution to the economy. Differential impacts are calculated using an input–output model incorporating marginal household coefficients. The analysis demonstrates that the conventional input–output model can overestimate the flow-on effects to value added, income and employment by a significant amount. It finds that domestic tourists are the largest contributor to the State economy, with day-trippers spending the greatest amount. International tourists rank last in terms of economic impacts on the state.


2012 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael W. Babcock ◽  
John C. Leatherman

The purpose of this paper is to present a methodology to measure some of the economic impacts of state highway programs. State departments of transportation (DOTs) need such a methodology for a variety of reasons, including long-term highway planning as well as advising state policymakers concerning the economic impacts of highway programs. The specific objectives of this study are: (1) describe a procedure to measure the output, value added, and employment impacts of specific types of highway and bridge improvement, and (2) illustrate an application of the model using data from Kansas. The objectives of the research are accomplished with input-output modeling. An 11-step procedure is described for adjusting the Kansas IMPLAN input-output model so that it is capable of measuring economic impacts for specific types of highway and bridge improvement. The model is illustrated using data from a recently completed study of the Kansas Comprehensive Transportation Program (CTP), which included expenditure of $5.24 billion on state highway system projects. Data from this study are used to demonstrate the calculation of output, value added, and employment impacts for five different highway and bridge improvement categories.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle DeRobertis ◽  
Christopher E. Ferrell ◽  
Richard W. Lee ◽  
David Moore

Public, fixed-route transit services most commonly operate on public streets. In addition, transit passengers must use sidewalks to access transit stops and stations. However, streets and sidewalks are under the jurisdiction of municipalities, not transit agencies. Various municipal policies, practices, and decisions affect transit operations, rider convenience, and passenger safety. Thus, these government entities have an important influence over the quality, safety, and convenience of transit services in their jurisdictions. This research identified municipal policies and practices that affect public transport providers’ ability to deliver transit services. They were found from a comprehensive literature review, interviews and discussions with five local transit agencies in the U.S., five public transportation experts and staff from five California cities. The city policies and practices identified fall into the following five categories: Infrastructure for buses, including bus lanes, signal treatments, curbside access; Infrastructure for pedestrians walking and bicycling to, and waiting at, transit stops and stations; Internal transportation planning policies and practices; Land development review policies; Regional and metropolitan planning organization (MPO) issues. The understanding, acknowledgment, and implementation of policies and practices identified in this report can help municipalities proactively work with local transit providers to more efficiently and effectively operate transit service and improve passenger comfort and safety on city streets.


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