Estimating the societal benefits from wildfire mitigation activities in a payments for watershed services program in Colorado

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly W. Jones
Keyword(s):  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Cost Ratio ◽  
Source Water ◽  
Water Protection ◽  
Societal Benefits ◽  
Source Water Protection ◽  
Watershed Services ◽  
The Impact

Payments for watershed services (PWS) programs are becoming a popular governance approach in the western United States (US) to fund forest management aimed at source water protection. In this paper we conduct a cost-benefit analysis (CBA) of one of the first collaboratively funded PWS programs in the US, located in the municipal watersheds servicing Denver, Colorado. We combine wildfire modeling, sediment modeling, and primary and secondary data on economic values to quantify the impact of the program on protecting multiple values at risk. Our results show that while the program has led to diverse societal benefits, it is only economically efficient (benefit-cost ratio greater than one) when all co-benefits beyond source water protection are considered and fuels treatments are assumed to encounter wildfire. When the probability of wildfire is accounted for, economic benefits would need to be triple what was estimated in our analysis to achieve economic efficiency. Our findings suggest that improving spatial prioritization of interventions would increase economic benefits and better data on treatment placement and costs would help facilitate future CBA of PWS programs focused on wildfire mitigation.

Preliminary Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) for Safety Assist Technologies in ASEAN NCAP – Rationalizing the Impact to Road Safety for Malaysia’s Case

2014 ◽  
Vol 663 ◽  
pp. 596-603
Author(s):  
Zulhaidi Mohd Jawi ◽  
Aqbal Hafeez Ariffin ◽  
Yahaya Ahmad ◽  
Khairil Anwar Abu Kassim ◽  
Norlen Mohamed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Road Safety ◽  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Cost Ratio ◽  
Benefit Analysis ◽  
Benefit Cost Ratio ◽  
Benefit Cost ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Rating Scheme

The newly established New Car Assessment Program for Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN NCAP) has incorporated Safety Assist Technologies (SATs) in its automobile safety rating scheme. In order for any assessed car to be eligible for the maximum 5-star rating, it should first be equipped with Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and fitted with seatbelt reminder (SBR). However, since these SATs are not being evaluated in their performance by the means of field testing, this paper explains the benefit of having these SATs through Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) which help to rationalize the importance of SATs in preventing road accidents or mitigating severity of injuries. Due to data limitation, this preliminary CBA assessment will only be focusing on Malaysia’s situation and is based on published sources and the authors’ best estimates. This study also includes the Cost-Benefit Analysis on Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), which is the basis for ESC technology, in preparation for its inclusion in the future rating scheme to expedite the vision of making ABS as standard fit in all ASEAN’s passenger cars. The preliminary result shows that all technologies – ESC, SBR and ABS – appear to be cost-effective (benefit/cost-ratio > 3) or most likely cost effective (1 < benefit/cost-ratio < 3) in Malaysia’s road safety situation per se.

scholarly journals Can we improve academic performance and student satisfaction without additional time cost for teachers? Evidence from a blended methodology in Microeconomics

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 54
Author(s):  
Anett Erdmann ◽  
Alfonso Jesús Torres Marín
Keyword(s):  
Student Satisfaction ◽  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Study Time ◽  
Time Cost ◽  
Benefit Analysis ◽  
Additional Time ◽  
Learning Platform ◽  
The Impact

<p><strong>Purpose</strong>: The main goal of this paper is to determine if the use of a blended methodology can improve performance and satisfaction of the students, with no additional time cost for teachers. As a second objective, the article attempts to explain observed differences across students in the effect of the methodology on study time based on the theory of optimal decision making. Finally, we sketch a simple cost benefit analysis for the digital learning platform (DLP) used.</p><p><strong>Design</strong>: The teachers combined the traditional classes methodology with the adoption of a DLP in two courses of Microeconomics at an undergraduate level at ESIC Business &amp; Marketing School. Subsequently it is analyzed the impact of this methodology on student satisfaction and performance, as well as on student’s study time using different analytical tools.</p><p><strong>Findings:</strong>  students’ grades, at the final exam, increased in a significative way as they spent more time with the DLP and/or when they do more digital assignments at home. Their satisfaction with the blended methodology, and the use of the DLP was quite high for most of students. Their feedback on working time relative to traditional methods showed two extremes, either studying much more or much less. We provide a theoretical explanation for this observation, based on Microeconomic theory.  A cost-benefit analysis of the DLP tool at an institutional level suggests that its economic costs are more than justified by the economic benefits of the tool in terms of student’s satisfaction, brand reputation and teachers time saving.</p><p><strong>Contribution:</strong> This document provides a methodology to measure the benefits of an innovative learning methodology using relevant indicators and employing advanced statistical techniques as regression analysis. It also helps us to understand student’s behavior in the face of an educational innovation based on technology. The findings are in line with economic theory.</p>

scholarly journals A cost benefit analysis of an active travel intervention with health and carbon emission reduction benefits

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralph Chapman ◽  
M Keall ◽  
P Howden-Chapman ◽  
M Grams ◽  
K Witten ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Motor Vehicle ◽  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Active Travel ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Cost Ratio ◽  
Sensitivity Testing ◽  
Life Years

© 2018 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. Active travel (walking and cycling) is beneficial for people’s health and has many co-benefits, such as reducing motor vehicle congestion and pollution in urban areas. There have been few robust evaluations of active travel, and very few studies have valued health and emissions outcomes. The ACTIVE before-and-after quasi-experimental study estimated the net benefits of health and other outcomes from New Zealand’s Model Communities Programme using an empirical analysis comparing two intervention cities with two control cities. The Programme funded investment in cycle paths, other walking and cycling facilities, cycle parking, ‘shared spaces’, media campaigns and events, such as ‘Share the Road’, and cycle-skills training. Using the modified Integrated Transport and Health Impacts Model, the Programme’s net economic benefits were estimated from the changes in use of active travel modes. Annual benefits for health in the intervention cities were estimated at 34.4 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and two lives saved due to reductions in cardiac disease, diabetes, cancer, and respiratory disease. Reductions in transport-related carbon emissions were also estimated and valued. Using a discount rate of 3.5%, the estimated benefit/cost ratio was 11:1 and was robust to sensitivity testing. It is concluded that when concerted investment is made in active travel in a city, there is likely to be a measurable, positive return on investment.

scholarly journals Cost Benefit Analysis of UNESCO World Heritage Site Designation in Nova Scotia

2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 247-273
Author(s):  
Burc Kayahan ◽  
Brian VanBlarcom
Keyword(s):  
Nova Scotia ◽  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
World Heritage ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
World Heritage Site ◽  
Unesco World Heritage ◽  
Heritage Site ◽  
Unesco World Heritage Site ◽  
The Impact

The objective of this research is to compare the economic benefits (defined as visitor spending) and costs of a UNESCO World Heritage (WH) designation. The study focuses on two sites in Nova Scotia; Old Town Lunenburg (designated as a WH site in 1995) and Grand Pré National Historic Site (which has applied for a WH status). Pre/post designation visitation data from Lunenburg was used to quantify the impact (6.2%) in the Nova Scotia context. A proportional (to visitation) impact was projected for Grand Pré. The analysis indicates that the level of visitation is important in determining economic viability and that the rising costs of a WH designation further challenge smaller scale attractions.

Social Cost–Benefit Analysis of Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-152
Author(s):  
Naba Kumar Das ◽  
Tridib Ranjan Sarma
Keyword(s):  
Industrial Development ◽  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Standard Of Living ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Development Organization ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Impact

This study aims to examine the economic and social aspects of villages under the rural electrification scheme launched by the Government of India in the context of Sonitpur district of Assam (India). The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) method is used to find out the economic benefits of the project in terms of economic (shadow) pricing of the area under study and the impact of the project on savings and investments in Sonitpur district. Primary data such as questionnaire and interaction with villagers and secondary data from various reliable sources are used to fulfil the objectives. The study finds that apart from financial viability, the project is viable from a social perspective as people’s standard of living, income and government savings increased from the past years.

scholarly journals A cost benefit analysis of an active travel intervention with health and carbon emission reduction benefits

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralph Chapman ◽  
M Keall ◽  
P Howden-Chapman ◽  
M Grams ◽  
K Witten ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Motor Vehicle ◽  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Active Travel ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Cost Ratio ◽  
Sensitivity Testing ◽  
Life Years

© 2018 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. Active travel (walking and cycling) is beneficial for people’s health and has many co-benefits, such as reducing motor vehicle congestion and pollution in urban areas. There have been few robust evaluations of active travel, and very few studies have valued health and emissions outcomes. The ACTIVE before-and-after quasi-experimental study estimated the net benefits of health and other outcomes from New Zealand’s Model Communities Programme using an empirical analysis comparing two intervention cities with two control cities. The Programme funded investment in cycle paths, other walking and cycling facilities, cycle parking, ‘shared spaces’, media campaigns and events, such as ‘Share the Road’, and cycle-skills training. Using the modified Integrated Transport and Health Impacts Model, the Programme’s net economic benefits were estimated from the changes in use of active travel modes. Annual benefits for health in the intervention cities were estimated at 34.4 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and two lives saved due to reductions in cardiac disease, diabetes, cancer, and respiratory disease. Reductions in transport-related carbon emissions were also estimated and valued. Using a discount rate of 3.5%, the estimated benefit/cost ratio was 11:1 and was robust to sensitivity testing. It is concluded that when concerted investment is made in active travel in a city, there is likely to be a measurable, positive return on investment.

scholarly journals Cost Benefit Analysis for Electrical Loading System for Transformers of a Barangay

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 82-88
Author(s):  
Carmela Mady B. Manabat ◽  
Marielle C. Alejo ◽  
Loraine V. Dela Cruz. ◽  
Joseph M. Apan ◽  
Renato D. Erasquin Jr,
Keyword(s):  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Cost Ratio ◽  
Microsoft Excel ◽  
Benefit Cost Ratio ◽  
Electrical Loading ◽  
Loading System ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Benefit Cost ◽  
The Impact

The study assessed the cost and benefit of electrical loading management of transformers. There is a serious occurrence of over and under loaded transformer which deeply affects the power quality or system loss and reliability of the distribution lines. Initially, the percent loading of the 27 transformers of Feeder 21 were identified using Microsoft Excel 2016. Then, the identified transformers were classified into three categories; overload (greater than 70%), under loaded (less than 40%) and normal loaded (40-70%). Through this process, three (3) solutions were identified: Solution I - change the transformer rating, Solution II – merge and transfer transformer loadsand Solution III - combine solution I and II. The three-solution used to identify the new percent loading to meet the normal percent loading (40-69%). Subsequently, the reduced Core and Copper Losses, Annual Energy Save, Savings and Benefit/Cost Ratio were computed and analyzed to determine the impact of loadingmanagement. The results show that there was an accumulated savings of Php 332,060.08 for Solution I, Php 92,043.09 for Solution II and Php 252,045.78 for Solution III. In the case of Benefit/Cost ratio it should be greater than 1 (>1) for a project to be economically feasible and justifiable; Solution I was 1.22, Solution II was 687.3 and 1.93 for Solution III. Based on the results of the study, SolutionIII was best among the three, for it has met the criteria of all transformers were all in normal loaded (40-70%) condition, and greater than 1 benefit/cost ratio.

scholarly journals Cost-benefit of promising adaptations for resilient development in climate hotspots: evidence from lower Teesta basin in Bangladesh

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md. Arfanuzzaman ◽  
S. M. Tanvir Hassan ◽  
Md. Abu Syed
Keyword(s):  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Cost Ratio ◽  
Technological Advancement ◽  
Economic Resilience ◽  
Irrigation Practice ◽  
Maize Cultivation ◽  
Tube Well ◽  
The Government

Abstract It is very likely that climate change will increase the frequency and intensity of extreme events such as floods, flash floods, storms, heat and cold waves, riverbank erosion, and drought in the river basin of Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region. This could mean detrimental impacts to the poor and marginal people in the lower Teesta basin (LTB) in Bangladesh. Though adaptation involves financial costs, the farmers' practicing adaptation in LTB experience diminished crop loss and damage. This study was aimed at assessing the promising adaptation practices, their economic return, and social welfare in the LTB through an extended cost-benefit analysis. The study suggests that among the adaptations, shallow tube-well (STW) based irrigation practice in both sandy and loamy soil has the highest marginal adaptation cost (MAC) but the lowest benefit-cost ratio (BCR). The deep tube-well (DTW) based irrigation practice generates superior benefits to the farmers compared to the STW based farming due to initial establishment by the government which is very expensive. Maize farming as an alternate and less resource consumptive cropping produces nearly five times higher economic benefits than the costs which can be acknowledged as the most profitable and resilient adaptation option in the LTB. Though MAC is relatively low for the short-duration variety (SDV) rice among the promising adaptations, its economic profitability is 62% lower than that of the maize cultivation. However, having higher BCR the maize cultivation generates US$86 higher welfare to the farmers than the SDV rice which may strengthen the farmer's preference of maize cultivation over the SDV rice. It can be stated with high confidence that strategic adaptation planning, soft credit, technological advancement, and subsidized agricultural inputs will encourage the farmers to carry out adaptation options which may reduce climate-induced loss and damages for the farmers and build socio-economic resilience in the LTB and other similar areas of South Asia.

scholarly journals Assessing the Socioeconomic Impacts of Intelligent Connected Vehicles in China: A Cost–Benefit Analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 3273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xu Kuang ◽  
Fuquan Zhao ◽  
Han Hao ◽  
Zongwei Liu
Keyword(s):  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Cost Ratio ◽  
Connected Vehicles ◽  
Benefit Analysis ◽  
Labor Costs ◽  
Unified Framework ◽  
Socioeconomic Impacts ◽  
The Government

The deployment of intelligent connected vehicles (ICVs) is regarded as a significant solution to improve road safety, transportation management, and energy efficiency. This study assessed the safety, traffic, environmental, and industrial economic benefits of ICV deployment in China under different scenarios. A bottom-up model was established to deal with these impacts within a unified framework, based on the existing theories and literature of ICVs’ cost–benefit analysis, as well as China’s most recent policies and statistics. The results indicate that the total benefits may reach 13.25 to 24.02 trillion renminbi (RMB) in 2050, while a cumulative benefit–cost ratio of 1.15 to 3.06 suggests high cost-effectiveness. However, if the government and industry only focus on their own interests, the break-even point may be delayed by several years. Hence, an effective business model is necessary to enhance public–private cooperation in ICV implementation. Meanwhile, the savings of travel time costs and fleet labor costs play an important part in all socioeconomic impacts. Therefore, the future design of ICVs should pay more attention to the utilization of in-vehicle time and the real substitution for human drivers.

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