Abstract
Advocates of transit suggest that there are several important social benefits of transit system - savings in pollution, congestion, and general social costs. Estimates of such savings have been limited to general comparisons with the personal occupancy vehicle (POV) mode usually on a vehicle-miles-traveled basis. Those savings are simulated in the context of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA). It is estimated that between 1980 and 1994, MARTA generated about $2.2 billion in total social cost savings by diverting POV riders to transit. Compared with the POV alternative, MARTA generates an average of about $107 million annually in savings to society even after considering society's subsidies to transit. Shortcomings of the analysis and policy implications are discussed.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 125-131 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Transportation Research Record |
| Issue number | 1576 |
| State | Published - 1997 |
| Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Civil and Structural Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering