Redistributive impact of the Atlanta mass transit system: a comment

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1981 · South. Econ. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/1057379· OSTI ID:6471480

Talley, W K; French, G L

Dajani, Egan, and McElroy (DEM) in this joural (pp 49-60, July 1975) attempted to determine the redistributive impact (i.e., the net incidence of benefits and costs) of the new Atlanta transit system to be operated by the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA). Based upon a sample of eight origin zones, DEM conclude that there appears to be no relationship between net benefits from MARTA and income per family but a relationship between net benefits and proximity to the transit station. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the DEM made several methodological errors in measuring benefits and costs of MARTA and hence their conclusions are questionable. Furthermore, the DEM benefit-cost model will be presented in a graphical framework. Because of the many factors that enter into the determination of benefits and costs or urban transit, the possibility of not considering or being inconsistent in considering a relevant factor becomes highly probable. The graphical model presented in this paper was found to be extremely useful in understanding the DEM benefit-cost model and in discovering its errors. A similar model may also be found useful by future researchers in avoiding methodological errors in the measurement of benefits and costs of urban transit.

• Research Organization: Old Dominion Univ., Norfolk, VA
• OSTI ID: 6471480
• Journal Information: South. Econ. J.; (United States), Journal Name: South. Econ. J.; (United States) Vol. 47:3; ISSN SECJA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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ATLANTA
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
ECONOMIC IMPACT
GEORGIA
MASS TRANSIT SYSTEMS
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