We revisit the rationale for place-based policies using a canonical urban framework with agglomeration spillovers. We derive six main lessons. First, the spatial allocation is inefficient even when spillover elasticities are constant across regions. Second, under constant and positive spillover...

This report takes stock of scientific findings to date regarding the distributional effects of policies discouraging car use in urban areas. These policies include cordon tolls, distance-based charges, fuel taxes, parking measures and public transport subsidies. The report describes the...

Developing country megacities suffer from severe road traffic congestion, yet the level of congestion is not a direct measure of equilibrium inefficiency. I study the peak-hour traffic congestion equilibrium in Bangalore. To measure travel preferences, I use a model of departure time choice to...

Household carbon dioxide emissions have been an increasing function of income and distance from the city. Richer suburbanites drive more and consume more electricity and natural gas at home. In recent years, richer people in California have been more likely to buy electric vehicles and to...

Is it possible to identify regional differences among shippers in their valuation of infrastructure improvements? In this study, the question is analysed using a random utility approach, where parameters are estimated by a logit model. Data consist of a Swedish stated-preference study from 1992....

Sri Lanka’s geographic positioning has been long recognized as an opportunity that requires strategic exploitation in pursuance of the development objectives of the country. Improving connectivity between India and Sri Lanka is perceived as a main avenue for exploiting this advantage. The...

Creation of road transport infrastructure, through its direct and indirect effects, has a bearing on sustainability of growth and overall development of a country. It provides knowledge spillovers resulting from the whole agglomerated area via network dynamic externalities. The models based on...

Expectations that public–private partnerships (PPPs) in roads will alleviate time overruns and enhance project productivity in India have not materialised. Substantial delays in tackling the attendant risks in the life cycle of the road PPP have occurred presumably because of weak...

Public transit accounts for only 1% of U.S. passenger miles traveled but nevertheless attracts strong public support. Using a simple choice model, we predict that transit riders are likely to be individuals who commute along routes with the most severe roadway delays. These individuals' choices...

Transport infrastructure has represented one of the cornerstones of development and cohesion strategies in the European Union (EU) and elsewhere in the world. However, despite the considerable funds devoted to it, its impact remains controversial. This paper revisits the question of to what...