Economic Analysis and Infrastructure Investment


Book Description

"Policy-makers often call for expanding public spending on infrastructure, which includes a broad range of investments from roads and bridges to digital networks that will expand access to high-speed broadband. Some point to near-term macro-economic benefits and job creation, others focus on long-term effects on productivity and economic growth. This volume explores the links between infrastructure spending and economic outcomes, as well as key economic issues in the funding and management of infrastructure projects. It draws together research studies that describe the short-run stimulus effects of infrastructure spending, develop new estimates of the stock of U.S. infrastructure capital, and explore the incentive aspects of public-private partnerships (PPPs). A salient issue is the treatment of risk in evaluating publicly-funded infrastructure projects and in connection with PPPs. The goal of the volume is to provide a reference for researchers seeking to expand research on infrastructure issues, and for policy-makers tasked with determining the appropriate level of infrastructure spending"--




Engineering Economics and Finance for Transportation Infrastructure


Book Description

This textbook provides a fundamental overview of the application of engineering economic principles to transportation infrastructure investments. Basic theory is presented and illustrated with examples specific to the transportation field. It also reviews the history of transportation finance, as well as current methods for funding transportation investments in the U.S. Future problems and potential solutions are also discussed and illustrated.




Transportation and Economic Development Challenges


Book Description

Recent years have seen considerable changes in the technology of transportation with the development of high-speed rail networks, more fuelefficient automobiles and aircraft, and the widespread adoption of informatics in disciplines such as traffic management and supply chain logistics. The contributions to this volume assess transportation interactions with employment and income, examine some of the policies that have been deployed to maximize the economic and social impacts of transportation provision at the local and regional levels and analyze how advances in transportation technologies have, and will, impact future development. Due in part to the general liberalization of markets, there have been major changes in the institutional environment in which transportation is supplied; these changes inevitably affect wider economic systems and development, although in turn these changes feed back upon transportation networks. The contributors to this work develop these and other themes, from a variety of perspectives, implementing a wide range of academic approaches into their analyses. Stemming from initiatives of the Network on European Communications and Transport Activities Research (NECTAR), Transportation and Economic Development Challenges presents a body of research that exemplifies the organization's objective of fostering research collaboration around the world.







Economic Analysis of the Digital Economy


Book Description

There is a small and growing literature that explores the impact of digitization in a variety of contexts, but its economic consequences, surprisingly, remain poorly understood. This volume aims to set the agenda for research in the economics of digitization, with each chapter identifying a promising area of research. "Economics of Digitization "identifies urgent topics with research already underway that warrant further exploration from economists. In addition to the growing importance of digitization itself, digital technologies have some features that suggest that many well-studied economic models may not apply and, indeed, so many aspects of the digital economy throw normal economics in a loop. "Economics of Digitization" will be one of the first to focus on the economic implications of digitization and to bring together leading scholars in the economics of digitization to explore emerging research.




Environmental Fiscal Challenges for Cities and Transport


Book Description

As populations become increasingly concentrated in urban centres and mega cities, while demands on transportation continue to grow, the question of how to mitigate the environmental footprint of these trends is ever more pressing. This comprehensive book demonstrates the potentially significant role of environmental taxation and other market-based instruments in meeting these challenges.




Information Requirements for Transportation Economic Analysis


Book Description

Conference participants sought to identify gaps in the data and analytic tools needed to support economic analysis as related to transportation investment and to develop research proposals designed to fill those gaps. The opening day of the conference featured presentations by economists, transportation analysts, and policy makers on the theory and practice of economic analysis and its usefulness to decision makers. The second and third days of the conference revolved around participatory workshops. Six separate working groups deliberated over three questions: (1) What is the appropriate level of investment in transportation to encourage economic health? (2) How should projects be prioritized within a multimodal transportation program? (3) How much revenue is likely to flow from user charges, tolls, and other sources? At the conclusion of its deliberations, each working group developed a list of research proposals, which it then presented to the conference as a whole.




Economic Analysis of Chinese Transportation


Book Description

Dr. Zhang received his Ph.D. in Economics from Kyoto University in Japan. In 1986 he was a Senior Research Fellow at the STATE COUNCIL Research Center in China, introduced Western economics to China, assisted Deng Xiaoping leadership in promoting reform and open policies. Since 1988, he was a visiting scholar at Harvard University and the National Bureau of Economic Research, USA, represented leading Japanese companies during the rapid investment boom in the USA, and joined Fuji Bank. In 2003, he joined Citigroup as a Senior Vice President for Citibank Lending. He has published more than 10 books, including A CHINESE ECONOMIST'S JOURNEY and ANALYSIS OF CHINESE MACROECONOMY. He is regularly invited to speak to Chinese government and business leaders. The first edition of this book was published by the People Press, the top publisher in China in 1987, and has been used as key textbook for Chinese major universities as well as government training.




Transport Economics


Book Description




Accessibility Analysis and Transport Planning


Book Description

Accessibility is a concept central to integrated transport and land use planning. The goal of improving accessibility Ð for all modes, for all people Ð has made its way into mainstream transport policy and planning in communities worldwide. This unique book introduces new accessibility approaches to transport planning across Europe and the United States. The expert contributors present advanced interdisciplinary approaches in accessibility research and modelling with best practices in accessibility planning and evaluation, to better support integrated transport and land-use policy-making. This book will prove an absorbing read for scholars, researchers and students working on accessibility issues across different academic fields including transport geography, spatial economics and social science. Transport and urban planners will also find the book to be an invaluable reference tool.