2017 journal article

Tools for the Wider Economic Impact Assessment of Corridor Improvements: Lessons Learned from the FHWA Implementation Assistance Program in Indiana

JOURNAL OF TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING PART A-SYSTEMS, 143(5).

By: D. Chacon-Hurtado*, E. Bardaka*, R. Yang*, K. Gkritza* & J. Fricker*

co-author countries: United States of America 🇺🇸
author keywords: Accessibility; Connectivity; Travel time reliability; Productivity; Middle-stage planning; Evaluation
Source: Web Of Science
Added: August 6, 2018

In an effort to assist transportation professionals with the evaluation of wider economic benefits (WEB) of highway improvements, this paper provides important insights into the open-source AASHTO EconWorks wider economic benefits analysis tools using three case studies located in Indiana. The paper makes a significant contribution to the state of practice by providing an in-depth discussion of the lessons learned during the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) implementation assistance program in Indiana. The paper briefly presents the theoretical background related to the development of the tools and explains data needs and sources. The discussion of the case studies primarily focuses on the sensitivity of the tools’ results to critical input parameters (such as volume to capacity ratio and productivity elasticity), which has not been addressed in previous studies. Lastly, the paper elaborates on the applicability and limitations of the tools, and also discusses their potential integration into an agency’s decision-making process. The inferences from this case study can be useful for state departments of transportation (DOTs), metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), and other organizations interested in quantifying the potential productivity gains associated with planned or future highway projects.